Syracuse-based horn band Private Eye is more than versatile. According to its leader, Fred Shattell, the sound is electrifying, groovy, funky, engaging, moving and soothing.
“We strive to deliver a wide range of upbeat music to our audience. You can expect to hear music to satisfy a variety of tastes from rock to swing, funk to Motown, R&B to rockabilly and everything in between,” Shattell said.
On selections such as JJ Jackson's “It's Alright,” the band provides a smooth rendition of an old classic with Jeff Madison's trumpet giving everyone a reason to dance. That trumpet also introduces the band and finds its home base on the band's cover of the well-known Chicago hit, “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?”
Carol Alberico's sweet, sometimes husky vocals are featured on the band's cover of Van Morrison's “Someone Like You,” and are supported by Madison's mournful trumpet and Dave Forgensi's sax.
The band consists of eight members, Alberico on vocals and percussion, Forgensi on sax, Gene Gabbard on bass and vocals, Bernie Gleeson on guitar and vocals, Madison on trumpet, Jeff DaPrix on lead guitar, Shattell on keyboards and vocals and Tom Badlam on drums.
For first-time listeners, Shattell advises seat belts and to be “ready for anything.”
“Be ready to have a lot of fun. Even for the most discriminating listener, we have something for them to enjoy,” Shattell said.
In 1999 the band formed as a spin-off from a previous project, wanting to take a new direction and to focus on the audience having a good time. Private Eye works, according to Shattell, to create an atmosphere at each show that energizes the audience and is memorable. To do this, the band introduces elements that are not found at most local shows.
Although they appear to be polished professionals, Private Eye members have seen their share of funky gigs that had nothing to do with Madison's trumpet, gigs that the band will never forget. Shattell recalls a time when the band played an employee picnic for a corporate client. A family affair, the event featured a petting zoo near the bandstand. A donkey managed to get loose from the zoo and soon found itself on stage, jamming with the band. At another gig, this time held in New York City, the band was playing an upscale wedding. A woman whom they later found out to be the groom's mistress showed up and made a spectacle, getting into a tussle with the bride - and the band played on.
“There have been some really funny things we have experienced over the years,” Shattell said.
They have released two CDs, the first, “Diggin'on Private Eye,” was nominated for a Syracuse SAMMY award in 2004. Their most recent CD, released in 2005, self-titled as “Private Eye,” was designed to show the versatility of the band.
If you go
What: CNY horn and dance party band Private Eye
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Polish Falcons Club, Pulaski Street, Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call Polish Falcons
Nest at 252-3522 or visit
www.cnyprivateeye.com
On selections such as JJ Jackson's “It's Alright,” the band provides a smooth rendition of an old classic with Jeff Madison's trumpet giving everyone a reason to dance. That trumpet also introduces the band and finds its home base on the band's cover of the well-known Chicago hit, “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?”
Carol Alberico's sweet, sometimes husky vocals are featured on the band's cover of Van Morrison's “Someone Like You,” and are supported by Madison's mournful trumpet and Dave Forgensi's sax.
The band consists of eight members, Alberico on vocals and percussion, Forgensi on sax, Gene Gabbard on bass and vocals, Bernie Gleeson on guitar and vocals, Madison on trumpet, Jeff DaPrix on lead guitar, Shattell on keyboards and vocals and Tom Badlam on drums.
For first-time listeners, Shattell advises seat belts and to be “ready for anything.”
“Be ready to have a lot of fun. Even for the most discriminating listener, we have something for them to enjoy,” Shattell said.
In 1999 the band formed as a spin-off from a previous project, wanting to take a new direction and to focus on the audience having a good time. Private Eye works, according to Shattell, to create an atmosphere at each show that energizes the audience and is memorable. To do this, the band introduces elements that are not found at most local shows.
Although they appear to be polished professionals, Private Eye members have seen their share of funky gigs that had nothing to do with Madison's trumpet, gigs that the band will never forget. Shattell recalls a time when the band played an employee picnic for a corporate client. A family affair, the event featured a petting zoo near the bandstand. A donkey managed to get loose from the zoo and soon found itself on stage, jamming with the band. At another gig, this time held in New York City, the band was playing an upscale wedding. A woman whom they later found out to be the groom's mistress showed up and made a spectacle, getting into a tussle with the bride - and the band played on.
“There have been some really funny things we have experienced over the years,” Shattell said.
They have released two CDs, the first, “Diggin'on Private Eye,” was nominated for a Syracuse SAMMY award in 2004. Their most recent CD, released in 2005, self-titled as “Private Eye,” was designed to show the versatility of the band.
If you go
What: CNY horn and dance party band Private Eye
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Polish Falcons Club, Pulaski Street, Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call Polish Falcons
Nest at 252-3522 or visit
www.cnyprivateeye.com
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