Name: Michael Palascak
Start: 2025-05-03T19:30:00
End: 2025-07-21T23:00-05:00
Location: Unit B

What The What could be called the "trio different".&nbsp; Formed in 2013 by well-traveled Santa Fe natives Jon Gagan , J.Q. Whitcomb, and Robby Rothschild, the group fuses diverse elements of funk, jazz and world into a unique and compelling sound. With a style described as "earthy and inviting", they defy categorization while at the same time evoking the familiar with their original compositions. What the What’s&nbsp; eponymous CD was released in July 2015. Bassist Jon Gagan is best known for his 30 + year association with renown guitarist Ottmar LIebert.&nbsp; In addition to playing bass on over 25 Liebert albums, (including several RIAA-certified gold and platinum and Grammy-nominated titles) Jon also scored a full-length string orchestra concert for Liebert. The show was performed by Liebert's trio along with The NM Philharmonic to a sold-out crowd at Popejoy Hall in March of 2023. As as a freelance sideman, Gagan has performed with Milt Jackson, Eddie Harris, Dave Grusin, Christopher Cross, Big Al Anderson, Nat Adderley,, Emily Remler and Mose Allison, among many others. He has also released a series of solo albums on LIebert's SSRI label, Transit 1-3. &nbsp;Recent recording work includes bass tracks featured on “Santa Fe Style” by Spanish guitarist/singer Juan Jose Alba and “Alone” by the sister duo Carly and Martina. Trumpet player J.Q. Whitcomb holds a BM in jazz performance from Oberlin University as well as a Master's in jazz performance from Julliard. While at Oberlin, he studied trumpet with Marcus Belgrave and Kenny Davis. After receiving his bachelor's degree, J.Q. relocated to Shanghai, China, where he worked steadily for 8 years as a jazz artist and educator. He was featured as a guest artist with internationally-acclaimed jazz artists Sinne Eeg and Martin Schack quartet on a tour of Denmark.&nbsp; He also performed at the Copenhagen Jazz festival in 2008 and 2011, as well as the 2011 Ribe Jazz festival.&nbsp; In 2016,. J. Q. was commisioned by The New Mexico Jazz Workshop to compose a piece for thier 40th anniversary.&nbsp; He has two albums as a leader: Airports, and Tales Of Enchantment. Robby Rothschild on percussion has studied many forms of music with teachers all over the world, and earned a master's degree in composition from UNM. He performs his original songs regularly with the acclaimed band Round Mountain and as a solo artist, bringing his varied background to bear in a unique and powerful songwriting style. In addition, he has worked with Thomas Mapfuno, Peter Yarrow, and Guinean griot Prince Diabate, He is currently the touring percussionist for both Ottmar Liebert and Kip Winger.&nbsp;

WHAT THE WHAT

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An Evening of Zimbabwean Music: Featuring Camp Batidza, Ande Marimba, Supa! and Zuva

Karen has 2 Dry Bar Comedy Specials -Go Dawgs (with millions of views on Facebook &amp; YouTube) and now Rub Some Dirt On It (Top 10 List of 2023). She was a finalist on Nickelodeon Television’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America. Her latest comedy album, Shiny Happy People Laughing (named with special permission from REM), plays on 4 different channels on Sirius XM Radio. She has numerous television appearances including The Talk on CBS, Gotham Comedy Live, and ads for Wal-Mart and Zyrtec. She has also been featured in The Washington Post, Huff Post and The Insider.&nbsp; Karen entertains audiences nationwide with her relatable observations of family and everyday life. Her funny, sentimental stories of growing up in the 1970's &amp; 80's are a particularly big hit with Gen Xers, Gen Jonesers and Baby Boomers. Karen’s “real” humor, clean material and conversational delivery connect quickly with audiences. She has also built a strong community of friends on social media. Karen lives in Cumberland, Maine but loves to travel all over the country for comedy shows, especially if there is a Waffle House along the way.

Karen Morgan

Orlando's HBO stand-up special, ORLANDO LEBYA: ADORABLE, is available on HBO Max. He has appeared multiple times on NBC’s THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON and was featured on HBO’s ENTRE NOS: PART 3. Most recently, Orlando was featured in NBC’s "Bring the Funny". He tours nationwide throughout the U.S and Canada. Orlando also appears in truTV’s LAFF MOBB LAFF TRACKS, both performing stand-up and acting in his re-enactment stories. He voices the role of ‘Wabo” alongside Will Forte and Lea Thompson in the animated feature LUIS &amp; THE ALIENS.

ORLANDO LEYBA

Michael Palascak is a comedian who grew up in Indiana and now lives in LA.&nbsp; He performed on both <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqGB9FDPKlo">The Late Late Show with James Corden</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kqIbYMKm1E&amp;t=344s">The Late Show with Stephen Colbert</a> in the same year. &nbsp; He has over 1 million views on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH5VAiBHcMATo79cv0k3AR4wlTo4TbYQv">YouTube</a>.&nbsp; In addition, his resume includes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keMK5a2LN60">A Little Late with Lilly Singh</a>,&nbsp;The Tonight Show,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vimeo.com/185925699">Letterman</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vimeo.com/75856450">Craig Ferguson</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUFHHjt5JFI&amp;feature=emb_title">Conan</a>, has a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/KYSC6TToaUk">Comedy Central Half Hour </a>special, and was a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vimeo.com/140408883">Top 5 Finalist on Last Comic Standing</a>&nbsp;where one judge claimed, “My first impression of Michael was a great likability.&nbsp; This is a guy that could star in a sitcom.”&nbsp; Michael’s likability allows him to relate to his audiences in a real way which sets up the huge laughs he gets from his sharp, personal material.&nbsp; Consistently writing and performing, this summer Michael released both a new album— <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://800PGR.lnk.to/PalascakWE">The Internet Live</a> through 800 Pound Gorilla and a new stand-up special on the Dry Bar app— <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.drybarcomedy.com/michaelp">1984</a>.&nbsp; Available for free streaming.&nbsp; Drew Hunt of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/michael-palascak/Content?oid=9964001">The Chicago Reader</a> wrote about Michael, “In a lot of ways, he represents the ideal antidote to the sort of unbridled cynicism that pervades much of contemporary stand-up.”&nbsp; Michael’s optimism continues in the new National Lampoon series — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG8Hz-se3CNIc6JeEepO5VA/?guided_help_flow=5">The Bright Side</a> where he takes a positive stance on a negative topic streaming on YouTube.

Michael Palascak

James Raymond "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

<h6>Cheryl Wheeler is a captivating artist who defies expectations, blending her sharp wit with poignant songwriting in performances that feel more like a comedy show than a typical folk concert. </h6>Inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame on May 4, 2014, Cheryl is celebrated for her emotionally engaging and often humorous songs. Her work has been covered by artists like Kathy Mattea, Holly Near, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Bette Midler, and Peter, Paul &amp; Mary.<iframe-embed src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b0i9TxxxDqo?si=z2oh7YPPdUF8RLSi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" height="315" width="560" style="" metaposition="flex-start" metatype="youtube"></iframe-embed>If your idea of a folk singer/songwriter concert is a bunch of people clapping politely after songs, and then sitting quietly while the performer says things like "This next song is about ...", well, you've never seen a Cheryl Wheeler concert before.&nbsp;​Cheryl's concerts are more like what you would find at a comedy club than expect at a folk music concert. She will tell a story that has you rolling in the aisles, and then sing a song that leaves you wiping tears from your eyes. She will talk about some serious current event, and then sing a song that will have you howling with laughter. Her entire concert is an emotional roller coaster.​After each song, she'll decide what to do next. If somebody calls out a request, and her guitar is in the right key, she might try it, even if she hasn't done it in a while. If she just finished writing a song, she will usually try it out in front of the next audience.​Her funny stories between songs show as much diversity. Each time she tells a story, it will be a little bit different, so even if you've heard it before, you still find yourself laughing.To repeat, there is no way you can read about Cheryl and get a good picture of what she or her concerts are like. You have to see one.

Cheryl Wheeler

COMPOSER &amp; VOCALISTVocalist and multi-instrumentalist Eliana Joy thrilled the Unit B audience in her last performance, and we are incredibly excited to bring her back to the stage with a full band. Born and raised in the American Southwest, Eliana offers an expressively emotional sensitivity to audiences and collaborators alike. Following her graduation from Arizona State University, Eliana worked with the Santa Fe Opera,&nbsp;sharing classical music with audiences across social media and print mediums. She then moved to Brooklyn and swiftly established herself in the jazz scene, combining her eclectic influences to explore The Great American Songbook as a medium of storytelling and social connection. As a member of the Women in Jazz Organization Mentors Program, she studied with New York Voices member Lauren Kinhan. She has played across the country in iconic venues like Ornithology and Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY, &nbsp;The Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, NM, and The Century Room in Tucson, AZ. Now based in Santa Fe, NM, Eliana performs actively as a solo singer-songwriter, an enthusiastic bandleader, and a frequent guest with the indie/folk project Lamby--all in the outrageously southwestern setting of sculpture galleries, wine gardens, and desert trains. This stellar quintet includes:<ul><li>Eliana Joy, voice and piano</li><li>Sean Johnson, tenor saxophone</li><li>Joe Lastowski, guitar</li><li>Cyrus Campbell, bass</li><li>Jonah Minkus, drums</li></ul>

The Eliana Joy Quartet

After 50 years of bold work, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://hollynear.com/">Holly Near</a> is still one of the most consistent and well informed voices for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought-provoking, and remains rooted in the global community. As an outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly brings a unique integration of world consciousness and self-evaluation, always growing and sharing experience humbly and boldly. Holly discovered her unique and recognizable voice at an early age, learning to sing along with recordings of some of the world's great singers. After graduating high school, Holly attended UCLA but her academic journey ended after just a few months when she was spotted by agents and drawn into the world of film and television.&nbsp; In her early twenties, Near traveled with the Free The Army Show and the Indochina Peace Campaign; an experience that enabled her to learn about the function and consequences of the military industrial complex. While on the FTA tour in 1971 Holly was first introduced to the concept of global feminism. By 1974 she was crossing paths and sharing songs with the wave of new lesbian feminist performers such as Meg Christian, Cris Williamson, Linda Tillery, Mary Watkins, and Alive! Near dove into the feminist movement, trying to understand the depth of sexism and homophobia by turning those lessons into song. Holly is known for the anthemic quality of some of her songs. As a songwriter she takes up the challenge of turning big concepts into small, personal stories. In response to the slaughter of the students at Kent State, she wrote "It Could Have Been Me."&nbsp; And following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco, she penned "Singing For Our Lives," which has become an anthem for the LGBTQ community and appears in the Unitarian Church hymnal. The chilling disappearance of people in Chile under the Pinochet dictatorship brought forth "Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida" to commemorate the women who had "been disappeared." A recipient of dozens of awards from organizations such as the ACLU and the National Organization of Women, Holly was one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year recipients and has been nominated for Grammys as well as the Legends of Women's Music Award.

Holly Near

WORLD CLASS JAZZThe Pat Malone Quartet returns to UNIT B for a fabulous evening of elegant improvisational jazz with a blues heart. Featuring the soulful tenor sax of Kanoa Kaluhiwa, the deep grooves of Jon Gagan on bass, the dynamic rhythms of Arnaldo Acosta on drums, and Pat Malone on guitar and vocals, this will be an evening of captivating, heartfelt music that moves the soul. Don’t miss this unforgettable live performance!

PAT MALONE QUARTET

Tadataka Unno was born in Tokyo and began playing the piano at age 9. He moved to New York City in 2010 and was immediately playing with Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cobb, Roy Hargrove John Pizzarelli, Jimmy Heath, Jazzmeia Horn, George Coleman, and Slide Hampton, while performing at The Kennedy Center and The Village Vanguard.&nbsp; In 2020, Unno was attacked in a hate crime incident by a group of eight teenagers while exiting a subway station. He required surgery for broken bones and suffered permanent injuries. Against the backdrop of the sharp increase in anti-Asian sentiment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the attackers had made assumptions Unno was Chinese and uttered anti-Asian profanities.&nbsp; After the incident he returned to Japan stating that he did not want to raise kids in the United States after what had happened to him. Following multiple surgeries and extensive therapy, he has been able to perform before audiences again. He has returned to the U.S. only a few times since the attack, and we at SFMC are honored to have the opportunity to present him for the first time in Santa Fe. Tadataka will be accompanied by Terry Burns on bass and John Trentacosta on drums.

Tadataka Unno Trio

NM MUSIC AWARDS WINNERJimmy Stadler BandSinger songwriter Jimmy Stadler has lived in Taos for 38 years. He has won the New Mexico Music Awards along with bassist Dave Toland and Craig Neil. He has been voted #1 by the Taos News poll for 25 years. He performs on lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, piano and mandolin. Has performed alongside Michael Martin Murphey, Johnny Gimble, Lynn Anderson, Mentor Williams, Shake Russell, Gary P Nunn, Michael Hearne and South by South West, Stone Daddy, The Arellano Brothers, Eliza Gilkyson and taught music at Taos Academy. Recording session musician Also performs with... Mark Clark, PercussionMark Clark is an amazing percussion artist with decades of touring and teach experience. Since the mid- 1980s he has maintained a touring presence nationally and globally with The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West (1986-90), Ottmar Liebert (1992-2002), John Popper &amp; The Duskray Troubadours (2011), Jono Manson (1995-present), Latin rock group Manzanares (2004-present), and the Jimmy Stadler Band (2012-present). Most recently, he recorded with John Popper &amp; Jono Manson on ”Bootlegger Days” and with K.T. Tunstall on songs for the new musical “Clueless.” Prior to his current positions at New Mexico School of Music and the University of New Mexico, he was on the faculty at United World College in Montezuma, NM , Santa Fe School of Art &amp; Design , Santa Fe School for the Arts and Sciences , and The College of Santa Fe. Dave TolandDave has performed on several USO tours of the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions with Junior Brown and Lynn Morris. He has worked with Holly Dunn, Bill and Bonnie Hearne and many top tier New Mexico bands.

The Jimmy Stadler Band

With their unique, high-energy tribute to the “hot jazz” of legendary Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, this brilliantly cohesive group of world class musicians, founded by legendary gypsy guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt (who will be part of this fall 2024 tour), has developed their exciting and refined sound for the past 20 years, performing at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations worldwide. Reinhardt’s driving, swinging style, which “harkens back to the 30s and 40s in Europe where he teamed up with the great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, creating The Hot Club Quintette of France, one of the greatest musical partnerships in European Jazz history. ‘Hot-swing’ has its roots in American popular music and in the reverence for Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and other top American jazz figures, and the DFA take the music fully into the 21st century with their own creative interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions. “There’s nothing like The Django Festival Allstars to bring pure JOY to an audience . . .&nbsp; Their music reaches right into your heart and brings ‘smiles’ a mile long . . . as the music is ‘happy’, infectious, and full of love.” For this concert, DFA features Dorado Schmitt and Sons – Samson Schmitt and Amati Schmitt, guitars, plus Francko Mehrstein and&nbsp;Gino Roman, also on guitars.<iframe-embed src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dioiGy4ZzCA?si=qYgh0Ludd00ltQlu" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" height="315" width="560" style="" metaposition="flex-start" metatype="youtube"></iframe-embed>

Django Festival Allstars

SANTA FE LEGENDSThe Bob Fox Trio one of Santa Fe's most prolific jazz bands, playing at Club Legato for over two years, with Bob Fox on Piano,&nbsp;Cyrus Campbell on bass and&nbsp;John Trentacosta. Actress Mary Kay Riley is one of the most sought after vocalists in the thriving Pittsburg Jazz scene. UNIT B is thrilled to welcome this ensemble back to the stage for one of the last performances before bassist Cyrus Campbell moves to New York. This is sure to be an unforgettable and heartfelt evening. Dinner and cocktails starting at 5:00 pm. No ticket is required for dinner, but reservations are recommended by emailing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:unitb@chocolatemaven.com">unitb@chocolatemaven.com</a>. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with tickets required. 2 sets with intermission.

Bob Fox Trio with Mary Kay Riley

NM MUSIC AWARDS WINNER This will be an evening that makes you want to sway and dance, sing and laugh, as The Baylin Band with special guest Lily Pinto takes you on a feel-good musical journey.The Baylin Band provides a deep groove of Americana contemporary folk. Baylin is a wonderful collaboration of seasoned musicians who have joined forces to form a new sound with original tunes.&nbsp; The Baylin band includes singer-songwriter Eb Lottimer on guitar and vocals, Anna Darrah on vocals,&nbsp;Elliot Ryan on&nbsp;bass, Darrah Ribble on keys and&nbsp;Gregory Gutin on percussion.&nbsp;Eb and Anna's last album, Eb &amp; Hal: On My Way Home, won Album of the Year from the NM Music Awards.&nbsp; Special guest Lily Pinto's music is a unique blend of pop, folk and alternative organic elements.&nbsp; Songwriting and storytelling is at the core of who Lily is and she has been cultivating her music for many years in hopes to enter the industry with a fresh perspective of truth, revelation, ingenuity and emotion. She writes about her life as a 24 year old woman and aims to capture the complexities of life at this age, drawing inspiration from love, women's and human rights, authenticity, freedom, and expectation.&nbsp;She has been playing music since she was a child, raised in the high rocky mountains with her creative partner and twin brother Gray Pinto. Lily is passionate about blending modern pop styles with the older styles of storytelling to create a timeless sound. She hopes people can enter her musical world and feel apart of something bigger, to be comforted, not alone and connected to what it means to be human.

Baylin with Special Guests Lily and Gray Pinto

Jesse is a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter whose artistry has evolved significantly over the years. As a teenager, he took the helm of the Ande Marimba Band, leading the ensemble to headline multiple editions of the Zimbabwean Music Festival and even share the stage with the legendary Bo Diddley. In recent years, Jesse has redirected his focus toward songwriting, captivating audiences with his intricate fingerstyle guitar work and velvety vocals, often drawing comparisons to the esteemed James Taylor. His recent performance at the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival garnered considerable acclaim, culminating in an invitation to perform on the main stage at the festival's conclusion.Jesse goes by the artist name&nbsp;fool_0f_ideas&nbsp;on all social media platformsApis Mellifera is a uniquely evocative singer-songwriter, celebrated for her enchanting melodies and clever lyrics that delve into the darker aspects of life. Her performances are narrative-driven, often featuring spontaneous interactions with the audience that enhance the immersive experience. With over a decade of experience gracing stages from intimate cafés to expansive festivals, her expressive artistry and poignant compositions resonate deeply, skillfully exploring the complexities of human emotion.Apis can be found on all platforms by&nbsp;@apismelliferasingsSliding scale cover, $5 minimum.

Unit B

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