It’s not often that a music journalist has the privilege of being able to cover one of the prized events in this field, a camping music festival, that is incidentally taking place within earshot of their own front door. But such was the case for L4LM’s Corey Regensburger this past weekend at the second annual Shuck & Jive Music Festival, being held at the beautiful and quaint McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook, CT, a familiar location as it is about a half mile down the street from my family home. While a relatively small event, it was big on providing a coveted festival experience, there was no shortage of entertainment, amenities, activities or characters even with sparse crowds of under 1000 sprawling out on the grass early on a sunny autumn New England afternoon.

Every act that took to the stage to serenade this tight knit crowd was worth anyone’s complete attention, featuring some of CT’s most accomplished musicians in the funk & jam scenes. The organizer described it as “an incestuous line-up” that all began “as a big party for our friends.” Those friends include the renowned neo-funky jam titans of Kung Fu, with much of the line-up consisting of the band’s members’ other projects such as The Breakfast & Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan. Even Deep Banana Blackout, the established funk outfit that was the other headlining draw, is Kung Fu Saxophonist Rob Sommerville’s long time crew of fearless funk-mongerers.

Some Funky Kung Fu-sion will leave you dazed and Kung-Fused…

The advantage of watching these bands play for a small crowd of mostly friends and family is getting to see them step up with an extra special performance for the people who know their music and capabilities best, not to mention being treated to what seemed like a full day of impromptu collaborations within a large circle of musicians & band-mates. Kung Fu/Breakfast drummer Adrian Tramontano was a consistent presence up on stage throughout the weekend, anchoring Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan and even jumping in on both drums and guitar during Deep Banana Blackout. 

Adrian Tromontano shows his musical versatility jumping into a guitar solo for DBB’s set

Artist at large, Ed Mann (Zappa, Z3) took part in a few sets including his own, along with spectacular performances by Haley Jane & the Primates, leSpecial, Primate Fiasco, Stella Blues Band, Naughty Proffessor, Pleasure Drones, the Kind Buds, Still Hand String Band and more!

Primate Fiasco and one of their impromptu performances on the green not long before taking the stage

Besides the musical treats at the core of the gathering, there was also wine tasting, local draft beer, premiere food, elaborate vendors, a late night stage with a bonfire, pristine campgrounds, cosmic karma fire dancers, tasteful art installations, artists at large, insane raffle prizes, endless supply of good vibes, new friends, and even a herd of alpaca’s roaming the fields ready to be taken on hike through the grape vines.

A pack of Alpacas?

There was also one more major attraction; the festival was born around the Grapes of Wrath mountain bike race, a 21 mile course with $1000 prize currently in its 6th installment at the vineyard, as it is organized by the same man and core group of friends who began gathering here at this time every year. The man behind this vision, Terrence Ford, brought together the musicians, the bike race, the vineyard, local Newtown, and the folks down at BRYAC, who helped put on the event.

It was a pleasure meeting him and expressing my appreciation that a local and personal institution such as the vineyard has embraced the culture and values embodied by this music festival. However, this event is extra special as it has sprung up only in the past couple years, bringing a much needed gathering of love and peace to the local community of Sandy Hook, yes that Sandy Hook, which has been subjected to so much pain and negativity in recent years. As a member of both the musical and local communities, I can attest that there is no place more perfect in which to plants the seeds for a positive new movement to blossom. Terrence should be commended for organizing such an event that previously seemed like a distant dream, and we at L4LM are proud to be a part of Shuck and Jive, and hope it continues to grow out of these positive roots for years to come. 

Chris DeAngelis and Tim Palmieri during their (Psychadelic) Breakfast Set

Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan involves using Mary Corso’s vocals as a diversion…

Jen Durkin and Rob Somerville lead the charge during a super Deep Banana Blackout set to close the festivities

Kung-fuscious say; Everybody Get Down

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