CLARKS SUMMIT — This year’s Coffee House Concert Series, held at The Gathering Place, will feature its two final performances on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 with The East Coast Trio and Cavage and Sudigala, respectively.
There is no cost to attend, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the music beginning at 7 p.m. Drinks and baked goods will also be available. The concert series is sponsored by the Overlook Foundation.
“The community enjoys the smaller venue that allows them to interact with the musicians. The Coffee House series has offered a variety of styles, genres and groups in a ‘something for everyone’ style. The evenings have been very enjoyable with the musicians performing in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere,” said Anne Armezzani, events director at The Gathering Place.
This year’s series opened on Aug. 24 with the NEPA Jazz Project, followed by James Barrett on Sept. 14. Bill Carter and friends played on Sept. 27 for Java and Jazz.
East Coast Trio
The East Coast Trio began participating in the coffee house a few years ago when Chuck Scrimalli and Phil Rossi did an eight-week guitar seminar teaching the basics.
“The East Coast Trio was formed in 1976 as East Coast Review. Disco and disco-oriented music was becoming very big. We started playing top forty with 5 pieces with three male vocalists and two females at the time. Chuck was the original member, then me. We worked at many venues when live music was very big in NEPA. There were so many great bands during this era and plenty of clubs to play in,” said Phil Rossi.
The group plays music from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. They play unique music with mostly three-part harmonies.
“We use anywhere from duo to a five-piece, depending on the venue and what kind of event we are booked for. Normally, the trio consists of Brian McGurl on keys and lead vocals, Chuck Scrimalli on guitar and vocals and Phil Rossi on vocals. At The Gathering Place, it will be a duo with Chuck Scrimalli and myself,” said Rossi.
“I’d say there is something very satisfying about playing music alongside my good and longtime buddies Phil Rossi and Brian McGurl. Lately we have been periodically adding Jim Davis on drums and Bob Crossman on bass. These guys are not only incredibly talented, but even more importantly, great friends. It makes me happy to be sharing music that we love with the community and seeing others enjoy it as much as I do. It’s amazing to me how music really can bring people together,” said Chuck Scrimalli.
Cavage and Sudigala
The Coffee House Concert Series will conclude on Oct. 19 with Cavage and Sudigala.
David Cavage plays the banjo, while Josh Sudigala plays the guitar. Both also provide vocals, and their genre is primarily bluegrass.
Cavage is a master of the five-string banjo, high lonesome lead and harmonies, and is a songwriter. He also plays jazz and swing tunes on tenor guitar.
Sudigala is a master guitarist, singer and songwriter and is on the cutting edge of bluegrass movement.
For information on the Coffee House Concert Series or other programs at The Gathering Place, visit gatheringplacecs.org.