Robby Jam at Tap House 66, J.C., NY June 6, 2023Photo byColin Munro Wood
Johnson City, NY, Tap House 66 Tuesday Night Robby Jam Sessions are unlike any free event and “open mic” gig I’ve seen since my days in Manhattan 30 years ago.
From the outside, Tap House 66 looks humble and is currently dealing with a desperately needed street re-pavement.
On a regular seasonal night, the jam session lives outside behind the Tap House inside a fenced-in patio. This Tuesday night, everyone was forced inside due to the smoke from the wildfires that infiltrated Broome County from Canada.
The Tap House 66 has wheelchair access which is rare at many bars outside downtown Binghamton. Inside is what I can only call a luxurious bar area made with lots of beautiful wood.
The bar, owned by Kevin Dobransky and his family, sports several televisions, a large three-sided bar, attractive wall hangings, tables, chairs, and doors to the back patio.
In the front area of the restaurant, there are a fair amount of tables with an excellent up-close and immersive position on the stage.
Upon entering, famous guitar player and singer Rock N Robby Perez was setting up and fine-tuning his instrument.
Robby Perez (Rock N Robby)Photo byRobby Perez
I grabbed the perfect small table for one, ordered food and a drink, and began an unforgettable night. It will undoubtedly draw me back time and again.
Once the main Tuesday night band was ready, they quickly began playing classics from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, at least from what I could pick up.
I’ve heard and seen classic cover bands, often in the area and around the country.
I can’t say it enough…these guys are the best I have seen and honorably had the chance to sing a song with (Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd instrumental version – Disturbed vocal version.)
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I told the crowd after the song that they were the best band I have sung with, live, since singing with the Bochum, Germany Starlight Express Band (the musical is in its 35th year.)
That is not an embellishment.
Rock n Robby PerezPhoto byColin Munro Wood
Benny Fiacco (l),Paul Kliment (r), Victor Lay (c).Photo byColin Munro Wood
Featured open mic guest Nick Gacioch speaking with Robby Perez.Photo byColin Munro Wood
Victor Lay is a music aficionado and percussionist extraordinaire. He has and can play a drum set, but his situation and some physical issues we all face in our 50s have caused him to create his own unique setup.
He tells me he has seen other drummers do the same, but it is rare, and they are each unique. Victor doesn’t use a drum set.
He has all the items needed to percuss on his person or at his feet and arm’s length. I can’t begin to tell you all that he uses. You’ll have to come and see for yourself.
“The Core Four is Rock N Robby (Rob Perez) from Beard Of Bees, Benny Fiacco on bass from 3 diff bands and owner of Music City in Vestal, Paul Kliment, also guitar and vox like Robby, and he’s in a couple of bands (sic). Oh, and originals too. He’s a semi-regular (visitor), got those (regular guests) and surprise guests. One night last winter, the whole Alph Brass Band came in!
Another great semi-regular is the new young gun in town, Nick Gacioch. He plays that guitar and sings. Don’t think he was there last week tho. He’s with Two Dollar Pistol and another band, I think. He’s in many vids from the jam.
You did see Joe Capani, who does the Byrds, Dead, and Van Morrison stuff.
The Tap House 66 is a great place with great food and great live music on weekends too. The staff is experienced and friendly. The patrons are excellent, and very supportive of the scene there. And as far as I know, the Robby Jam is the only one in our area that moves outdoors. Now in its 20th month, this jam is popular enough that some have called it “Friday on Tues””
~ Victor Lay
Everyone performed with deep souls and minds connected to their instruments as if they were a part of their natural bodies.
I’d describe each musician as focused and “fire.”
Rock n Robby Perez at Tap House 66Photo byColin Munro Wood
Every song they jammed out was precise, in tune, and as good or better than the original recordings. It was nice to know all the words to every song they played.
I don’t get into cover bands much. I love covering new bands with new material. However, I can’t wait to return to Tap House 66 and hopefully sing two songs with these masterful musicians and artists of sound and percussion.
Kevin, the owner, was behind the bar all night, but he was the first person to hold the door open as I rolled in. He helped me find a table and get comfortable.
Once settled into place and laptop out, messages caught up, etc., I caned it over to the bar area and ordered a house burger with provolone and the works, with fries.
Not supposed to eat like this, but I could afford to spoil myself with lots of weight loss recently. I am eating one meal a day and sometimes only half of it.
I share this in a humorous way because I chomped down the whole burger and left half the fries to try and stick to that unwilling “diet.”
Getting back to the fun, the crowd built up after arriving, and every table and seat was filled by the time the music played.
The revelers were a neat mix of folks from many kinds of backgrounds and personal interests. There were rock and rollers, LGBTQ couples, singles, more mature individuals, and lots of hootin’ and hollerin’.
Nothing went wrong the whole night, except that Robby has a fine ear for pitches, which I appreciate, tuning up his guitar a few times as different instrumentalists and singers came up to perform. Everyone on stage was a true professional at their craft. I’d call them masters of music.
It was a highly receptive night. It begins and finishes early, and everyone leaves safely, with conversations all night and while leaving inside and outside.
I met so many interesting human beings that their faces and what they said are still ringing in my mind.
All these talented musicians come out and give and give to others, and the patrons and owners run a great place, and the music is outrageous. See you Tuesday nights at the Tap House 66 jam session.