The Roaminı Gabriels
Have Something To Smile About

Angels in heaven and quarterbacks here on earth might not seem to have
muchin common, but thatıs not the way the Roaminı Gabriels see it. "The 
name isa spin-off from the great LA Rams quarterback. But itıs also a play on
words‹Gabriel is the music angel, passing on the music to the people, 
and thatıs sort of what we do," keyboard player Len Mooney explains.
    On August 10th, at the Waterwheel Cafe in Milford, PA, and again on
August 30th at the Sarah Street Grille in Stroudsburg, PA, the Roaminı
Gabrielsı music will be even more accessible to mortal music lovers 
when the trioıs CD Smile will be released.
    The disc was recorded by Tom Afkin at The Barn at Cool Springs Farm
in Stillwater, New Jersey in one grueling three-day session, and released 
onthe indy Sling-Shot label. Featured on the effort are instrumental cuts
that meld Latin, funk, New Orleans and swing into a cohesive and elemental
sound that invites dancing, an artifact that attests to the musicıs origin 
and inspiration.
    "Years ago I was at an organ jam at the Terrace Ballroom in Newark,
New Jersey, and I had a eureka experience,ı" Mooney explains. Listening to
the likes of Jack McDuff and Rhoda Scott, and watching three generations of
community members  "dressed to the nines and dancing," convinced Mooney
thatthis was the musical wave of his future.
    The trios Mooney watched typically consisted of organ, guitar and
drums,and the Roaminı Gabriels havenıt strayed far from that instrumentation,
although Mooney does include other keyboards like the Fender Rhoades in
some of his breaks. Kevin Siebold plays either guitar or the Chapman Stick, 
an instrument that combines a standard six-string guitar with six bass
strings tuned "like an upside-down cello," Siebold explains. The bass portion 
of the instrument is tapped, rather than plucked, to produce a sound more akin
to a piano than a typical bass guitar. The percussion of Drew Siciliano
completes the compelling rhythm of the trio.
    The band has perfected their musical chops at local venues like the
Stanhope House, the Knowlton River Fest and several other clubs. But 
with the release of Smile, plans are in the works to take the musical show 
on the road. Mooney is reluctant to discuss places and names, finally allowing
that talks are underway for a tour with a nationally known act that would 
see the trio performing for thousands in venues like Irving Plaza in New York 
and the Chicago House Of Blues.
    Meanwhile, myriads of jazz listeners will have an opportunity to
enjoy the high-energy "jam band" modus of the group when they open the 
Delaware Water Gap Jazz Festival in September. Mooney was equally sanguine about
an upcoming TV special produced by Jersey sound mogul Mark Clifford, among
others, due to be aired on cable in the near future.
    The ultimate goal for all the Gabriels is the high-energy interplay
that defines the excellent jam and produces what Mooney likes to term 
"groove music," music that moves an audience to dance.
    For information on the groupıs performance on August 
30th at the Sarah Street Grille call 570-424-9120 or you can visit 
www.sarahstreetgrill.com.  To order the CD, see the Gabrielıs website at
www.roamingabriels.com.