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The weather was perfect and the crowd appreciative when blues/jazz/rock musician Bud Summers played a solo concert for Hannibalians on Aug. 26 in the “Music Under the Stars” series sponsored by the Mark Twain Museum.
Playing solo is his preference, Summers said, because of the freedom it offers. “I’ve played in bands for a long time and enjoy the creative side of it - allowing me to do what I want to do as opposed to a group decision. ... I wanted more creative control, where I go and all those things I can determine on my own.
“For the last four years I been mostly doing solo and I have come to enjoy that more.” His solo performances can include harmony because he has a digital looper on his guitar.
Many of his songs on Aug. 26 were original, including “Soulard Lady.” He also played some made famous by other musicians, such as “Black Magic Woman,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Green-eyed Lady.”
“I have a large repertoire of songs from different artists, that I play in restaurants and wineries,” Summers said, “so there is a good variety. At the type of atmosphere in Hannibal I tried to play a lot of my songs.” Some were from his first album, ˝Golden,” and others from his latest release, “Eons.”
“My normal playing area is an hour or hour and a half from my home (in Alton, Ill.),” Summers explained. He often plays in the Soulard area of St. Louis, which he said is known for blues and jazz. One upcoming concert is at the Shanti-Soulard in St. Louis, and future performances are scheduled in Grafton, Belleville and Fairview Heights, Ill.
Local musician Alan Embree, who is often heard playing “Taps” at official events, was listening to the music with his wife, Lori, and their dog, Lucky.
“We have been to three or four this year and enjoyed the difference in genre,” Alan said. “It is quite a varied repertoire with something for everyone.”
Lori agreed with him, “Ditto.” (Lucky was content to remain quiet and listen to the music.)
Another listener, Sue Giroux, said it is “so neat, how he records and then harmonizes with himself.”
Kristie Darley commented, “it was a beautiful night - the sky, the weather, the music. - it was all beautiful.”
Summers was making his Hannibal debut and later said “if I am invited I would be thrilled to come back.”
The weather was perfect and the crowd appreciative when blues/jazz/rock musician Bud Summers played a solo concert for Hannibalians on Aug. 26 in the “Music Under the Stars” series sponsored by the Mark Twain Museum.
Playing solo is his preference, Summers said, because of the freedom it offers. “I’ve played in bands for a long time and enjoy the creative side of it - allowing me to do what I want to do as opposed to a group decision. ... I wanted more creative control, where I go and all those things I can determine on my own.
“For the last four years I been mostly doing solo and I have come to enjoy that more.” His solo performances can include harmony because he has a digital looper on his guitar.
Many of his songs on Aug. 26 were original, including “Soulard Lady.” He also played some made famous by other musicians, such as “Black Magic Woman,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Green-eyed Lady.”
“I have a large repertoire of songs from different artists, that I play in restaurants and wineries,” Summers said, “so there is a good variety. At the type of atmosphere in Hannibal I tried to play a lot of my songs.” Some were from his first album, ˝Golden,” and others from his latest release, “Eons.”
“My normal playing area is an hour or hour and a half from my home (in Alton, Ill.),” Summers explained. He often plays in the Soulard area of St. Louis, which he said is known for blues and jazz. One upcoming concert is at the Shanti-Soulard in St. Louis, and future performances are scheduled in Grafton, Belleville and Fairview Heights, Ill.
Local musician Alan Embree, who is often heard playing “Taps” at official events, was listening to the music with his wife, Lori, and their dog, Lucky.
“We have been to three or four this year and enjoyed the difference in genre,” Alan said. “It is quite a varied repertoire with something for everyone.”
Lori agreed with him, “Ditto.” (Lucky was content to remain quiet and listen to the music.)
Another listener, Sue Giroux, said it is “so neat, how he records and then harmonizes with himself.”
Kristie Darley commented, “it was a beautiful night - the sky, the weather, the music. - it was all beautiful.”
Summers was making his Hannibal debut and later said “if I am invited I would be thrilled to come back.”
Summers inherits musical talent
Recalling his musical background, Summers said both his parents, the late Fred and Lorraine Summers, passed on their musical heritage. “Dad was a jazz player, but Mom was very much into classical music - an appreciation for music came from them. The family placed such a high value on music. It was very important. And my sister is a wonderful musician.”
Fred Summers played upright bass and had his own eight-piece orchestra that performed swing, jazz and pop standards. Lorraine was a music educator.
Bud’s formal music education began with violin lessons at age 5, followed by piano at 7. By age 14, he had gravitated to guitar. He was soon performing in clubs with his father, accompanying singing at church, and playing at block parties with a rock band.
Bud explained he and his sister, Nancy Summers, “used to do duet performances. We used to have brown bag lunch concerts at church. We corroborated on those for at least 10 years. We picked a few songs to play together,” then alternately chose the melody with the other playing accompaniment.
Now Nancy, who plays oboe in a symphony orchestra in Grand Rapids, Mich., returns to St. Louis each summer to play in the orchestra at the Muny Opera in Forest Park.
Bud Summers earned a B.A. in music performance (classical guitar) from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and also played in the college jazz band. Now he performs mostly in the St. Louis area, but has traveled to play in fourteen states as a solo act, and as part of duos, trios and larger combos. He’s been a featured instrumentalist on nine records and has had two of his songs recorded by other artists.
His first full-length solo album, “Golden,” was released in May of 2008 and his second album, “Eons,” was released March 6, 2010.
Some information for this article is from the web site, budsummers.com
