ing band, playing all my solo
songs. We’ve had Andrew Oliva
on drums, Clint Newman on
bass, Matthew Raspanti on gui-
tar, and we’ve collaborated on
stage with Chill Smith, Avery
Rose Puryear, and Jimmy Mura
too. We’ve all been playing the
circuit for years, and I just love
sharing the stage with them.
You’ve also had a big influ-
ence on the local music scene
by hosting open mics and po-
etry slams throughout the state.
What do you enjoy most about
that and do you have any com-
ing up that folks can perform at
or just attend?
I love the unpredictability of it
all. You never know who’s gonna
get on stage and blow everyone
away. I love the way they culti-
vate talent, but also community.
You can ask anyone in my crowd
why they do it, and they’ll say.
‘We do it for the culture.’
Every Tuesday I’m at Cafe Enig-
ma in downtown Toms River, and
we’ve got slams and even a po-
Watch a video for “Breathe Easy” by Chris Rockwell
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 51
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