As a host and server at Irregardless Cafe, I can honestly say the job comes with many perks: friendly customers, helpful coworkers, a company philosophy of serving the community, and obviously amazing food anyone and everyone enjoys. One of my favorite parts of my job is enjoying the talented musicians who take the stage every night. With such a diverse and energetic lineup, Irregardless has become known as a destination for dinner and live music in Raleigh.

This Saturday, the Ti Harmon Group will be playing at the restaurant. I had the opportunity to chat with Ti and learn more about her background, performance style and inspirations. As an internationally acclaimed artist, Ti has produced multiple albums and won several awards. After graduating from NYU, Ti took her talents to Spain and France. We are now fortunate to have her in the Triangle, inspiring audiences with her fellow NC Central University Department of Music classmates.

Ti was born in Philadelphia, where she agrees there must be something in the water. Watching groups from her hometown such as The Roots, Patti LaBelle and Jill Scott succeed gave her hope to follow her dreams. As a child she would create melodies in her head, trying to find a way to record and communicate them, even before she knew how to write music. Her family introduced her to an eclectic range of artists, from Sara Vaughn and Billy Joel to Motown and Classical. She discovered Michael Jackson and was in love.

As she grew as an artist, Ti realized that music gave her a purpose. After performances people approach her to tell her how horrible their day was, but that her music lifted their spirits. “That makes me feel great,” she said, “like I am actually contributing something. That inspires me. Reaching people through the music, connecting to some sort of emotion, allows them to feel more human and makes me feel better.”

For her performance next Saturday, Ti says to expect a lot of percussion and rhythm, as the band will feature both a drummer and a percussionist. She’s looking forward to experiencing a new expression that comes along with that. Ti enjoys playing at Irregardless. “I like the community between everyone. Last time I was there I could tell the servers were enjoying the music and the patrons were dancing. There is a sense of community and festiveness. It’s not just a spectator performance.”

I speak for the entire staff when I say we’re looking forward to it too! Join us for dancing and a electrifying performance by the Ti Harmon Group, this Saturday at 9pm.

Written by Meredith Duncan,
Previous Irregardless Cafe Host and Server

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month April, the Irregardless Cafe features one of America’s great jazz vocalists: Giacomo Gates.

Treat yourself to this special evening with Giacomo Gates. His sheer joy, exuberance and wit makes him one of jazz’ most compelling artists. Gates deep, cognac baritone and his vintage-hipster phrasing and bearing upholds his deceptively easy nonchalance.


“Gates is one of the most extraordinary singers working in jazz today, the owner of a joyful baritone who has synthesized a host of influences – Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks and Sinatra among them – and turned them into something uniquely his own.” Glenn Whipp, LA Daily News

Irregardless Cafe is Raleigh’s longest running Music Venue – having featured live musical entertainers every night of the week for 43 years! Local and touring Jazz musicians perform, as well as ‘Blue Grass Wednesdays’, folk and popular music talents occasionally.

 

$15 cover will be charged after 9 pm for Giacomo Gates on April 7th
With performance, enjoy specialty cocktails, local brews, fine wines with meal
Reservations recommended

 

Gates plays all the major U.S. clubs, New York’s Birdland, Smoke, Jazz Standard, Blue Note, and Dizzy’s,Philadelphia’s Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Blues Alley and The Kennedy Center in D.C., Scullers in Boston and Snug Harbor in New Orleans, Dazzles in Denver, The Jazz Bakery in LA, Pearl’s in San Francisco. He also performs at major festivals like Detroit/Montreux, Telluride, Caramoor, Sedona, Rochester, Syracuse, Clearwater, Fairbanks Summer Arts, California’s Jazz at the Plazz, and New York’s Lost Shrine Series, as well as at countless universities and jazz societies. Giacomo’s enormous appeal and popularity are obvious from the many repeat engagements he has had at these venues. His international touring includes several tours of Russia, Italy and Belgium, teaching in Europe and three Australian tours.

Gates has seven heavily acclaimed CD’s, the last four with Savant Records…his most recent release “What Time Is It?” in April 2017. His previous releases, “The Revolution Will Be Jazz-The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron” reached #1 for six weeks on National Jazz Playlist, and “MilesTones” was #1 for four weeks! “Everything Is Cool” reached #8…all three spent over three months in the Top 20 of the Jazz Week Charts, on over 300 stations.

“This is really the complete package, neatly put together. If you haven’t had the experience of hearing Giacomo Gates, this is the right time. As far as anyone singing or sounding or creating and improvising like Giacomo Gates, no one comes close. In fact, he is so far out in front, they have eliminated second place.” Franz Dousky – biographer of Frank Sinatra & Elvis Presley

“I have enjoyed hearing Giacomo Gates CD ‘Centerpiece.’’It’s so refreshing to actually hear the words and understand the lyrics, all to a swinging beat.” Dave Brubeck, acclaimed jazz pianist

Irregardless will celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in April to honor the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz.

Certainly not a stranger to the music scene, Irregardless Cafe is Raleigh’s longest running Music Venue – having featured live musical entertainers every night of the week for 43 years! Local and touring Jazz musicians perform, as well as ‘Blue Grass Wednesdays’, folk and popular music talents occasionally.

Jazz month’s weekend lineup at Irregardless will boast an array of talented jazz artists on Fridays and Saturdays. The following guests will be featured on Saturday nights to perform at 9:00 PM.

April 7th at 9:00 PM, Cover $15
Giacomo Gates, Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Great
Gates has seven heavily acclaimed CD’s, the last four with Savant Records…his most recent release “What Time Is It?” in April 2017. His previous releases, “The Revolution Will Be Jazz-The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron” reached #1 for six weeks on National Jazz Playlist, and “MilesTones” was #1 for four weeks! “Everything Is Cool” reached #8…all three spent over three months in the Top 20 of the Jazz Week Charts, on over 300 stations. Learn More..

April 14th at 9:00 PM
Peter Lamb Quintet
Just listening to the no-boundaries, acoustic jazz quintet Peter Lamb and The Wolves, you might guess that it formed to celebrate Truman’s inauguration, not Obama’s. Called into existence in 2008 to play Humble Pie’s presidential party, the band that resulted was just too good to leave be. Nowadays, living up to their fairy-tale namesakes, the Wolves peddle languid sophistication that is always a little bit dangerous. Their repertoire reaches back to New Orleans’ earliest syncopaters but also forward to hipster bards like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits; a tango might trip on the heels of a French waltz or a Russian folk song. The Wolves are sought out by swing dancers, but their tenderer tunes make the perfect nightcap for late-night lovers. Learn More..

April 21st at 9:00 PM
Al Strong
Raised in the city that created “Go-Go” music, Al Strong carries an affinity for dance music that is apparent in his sound. Strong has had the pleasure of performing for artists such as Brandford Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Clay Aiken, and Linda Eder. He has also lent his trumpet playing to an array of talent including The Foreign Exchange, Yazarah, Soul Understated featuring Mavis ‘Swan’ Poole, and Big Daddy Kane, along with a number of others. In 2016, AL Strong released his debut album, LoveStrong Vol. 1. Learn More..

April 28th at 9:00 PM
Sidecar Social Club
Spirited, stylish and engaging, Sidecar Social Club is a shot of whiskey hitting your veins. Soaring through numerous genres effortlessly, their energetic sets take you to colorful and surprising places. From the gritty, riotous underbelly of speakeasy jazz to the bizarre cabarets of wartime Berlin. From the sounds of Latin American dance halls and the big band era to soulful R&B and fifties rock. With a number of infectious originals sprinkled in for good measure, SSC delivers a fresh take on songs, old and new. Learn More..

JAM is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more. Join us and let’s celebrate!