Tis the season for 11 days of nearly non-stop music at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Here, Bobby Tanzilo scours the Big Gig schedule to make some suggestions for must-see acts at Summerfest 2017.
Wednesday, June 28
Hometown boy and respected blues guitarist Jon Paris (readers of a "certain age" may remember his band here, Ox) comes to town to help open the Big Gig, with an 8 p.m. performance at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. Welcome him back.
Thursday, June 29
There’s an ‘80s revival today at Summerfest, highlighted by Fishbone at 4 at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard and The Church an hour later at the Uline Warehouse. Hang around to see Milwaukee's own GGOOLLDD at 8 at the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage.
Friday, June 30
I’ve never seen Paul Simon before, so I’m taking the opportunity when he headlines the festival with a performance at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. I'm especially eager to hear him do this...
Saturday, July 1
St. Louis pianist Jack Spann moved to New York City, where he became a session musician working with the likes of David Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti. But it has been with Milwaukee musician and producer Gary Tanin that Spann has made his two solo records, including the latest, "Beautiful Man from Mars," a tribute to Bowie, who Spann met while working on demos for Ziggy Stardust’s final album, "Blackstar." You can hear the songs live when Spann plays the Big Backyard at 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 2
It’s been years since I’ve seen Ziggy Marley, so I’m going to head over to the Harley Roadhouse at 9:30 to see what the former Melody Maker and son of Bob is up to these days. He'll likely highlight his 2016, self-titled solo record, which included this tune...
Tuesday, July 4
Today’s the day I’ll bring the kids to the playground, for the cotton candy and for the entertainment on the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater and Playzone.
Wednesday, July 5
Longtime festival favorite Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers kick off a two-night stint at the Amp. Surely Milwaukee will be clamoring to get in one or both nights.
Thursday, July 6
I’m going to check out my friends, percussionist Victor DeLorenzo and cellist Janet Schiff – who, together, are Nineteen Thirteen – when they perform under the roof at the BMO Harris Pavilion at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 7
It’s Friday night, or more accurately, it’s Tigernite. The Milwaukee rockers play at 7 on the newly renovated Miller Lite Oasis.
Saturday, July 8
Hometown boy Brett Newski is back and he’s playing on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage at 6:30. I’m going to go catch up with this world traveler and hear his latest material.
Sunday, July 9
I’m closing out Summerfest 50 with Milwaukee R&B legend Harvey Scales, who is playing with The Seven Sounds at 8 p.m. at the Uline Warehouse.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
