Many of you have known Dominic E. for years as the dynamic, fun-loving, and patient bass and guitar instructor who’s been with B&B since the very beginning. But when he hits the stage at his local College Park Potbelly, fans simply know him as the Dominator. And for good reason. Whether he’s performing Bach, Rihanna, or one of his original tunes, Dominic never fails to engage the crowd and add his own brand of energy and ambiance to the neighborhood sandwich shop.

But what his fans don’t know is that he’s been dominating the guitar since before he even owned one. At thirteen, Dominic start

Dominic E | Guitar College Park MD

ed tinkering around with his brother’s guitar and immediately fell in love with it, ultimately teaching himself how to play by practicing on his own and getting pointers from friends who were taking lessons. By the time he got his own guitar, he was so enchanted with it that he frequently fell asleep with the guitar right in his bed.

That same dedication drives Dominic today as a teacher. One of the most rewarding parts of his job is helping kids improve and learn to play songs on their own, so they can share his passion and enthusiasm for learning music. He urges new students to get to know their instruments and suggests that they play around with their guitars in their laps, even while watching TV, as a great way to get familiar with them.

It’s solid advice considering how accomplished Dominic has become by doing just that. He’s played and toured across the country — from the Viper Room in Los Angeles and festivals in Colorado to the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan. And these days, Dominic stays busy teaching, giving solo performances, writing songs, working on an album, and playing with three different bands — GO MOD GO, a 60’s mod era band; Treehouse, a rock trio; and A Different Animal, a two-piece experimental group.

Interested in catching him live and in action? You can stop by the Potbelly in North College Park on Friday afternoons or their Downtown College Park location on Thursdays. Or, better yet, sign up for lessons with the Dominator himself, and let him bring the music to you. Just don’t expect him to come with sandwiches.

B&B owners Brad Clements and Bhagwan Khalsa will be joining forces this Tuesday April 2nd with the Eric Byrd Trio.

Well not just the EBT, but the Brother Ray Band as well.  The Ray Charles inspired horn section will comprise of Paul Carr, Chris Watling, Lyle Link and Brad Clements.  Yep, that’s a pretty heavy-weight group of horns.  In fact one might go out on a limb and say that they are the very best in the entire universe!

So take advantage of this universally acclaimed group of musicians and listen to some swingin’ jazz and blues.  Oh yeah, gospel too.

Phone:(240) 330-4500

Tuesday night April 2, 2013
730pm

The good folks at NPR don’t just go bestowing praise with reckless abandon. So when they extoled B&B’s own Laura  Tsaggaris (It’s “suh-GAIR-iss.”) as “a soothing rocker,” music fans everywhere took notice. And now, you can too.

You’re invited to celebrate the completion of Laura’s third album, EVERYMAN, at a special CD release show at The Hamilton on February 2^nd.  Enjoy a live performance of the entire album, which is currently available on iTunes, with the added bonus of a five-piece rock band, a horn section including B&B co-owner and trumpet extraordinaire Brad Clements, and guest appearances from local music legends Justin Jones and Bobby Thompson.

Through EVERYMAN, Laura strives to connect listeners using universal themes of love, loss, fear, frustration, courage, and growth. And with Laura’s dynamic and eclectic sound – a unique fusion of rock, blues, pop, jazz, and soul – she has the ability to do just that. Shaped by Grammy-nominated music producer Jamie Candiloro and highlighting world-renowned instrumentalists and vocal talent, EVERYMAN promises to delight and unite audiences with the rallying cry, “We are all Everyman.”

But don’t take my word for it. Come check Laura out for yourself. Doors open at 7. Show starts at 8:30.

A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio

The Eric Byrd Trio will be performing the music of Vince Guaraldi this Christmas season.  The jazz trio will perform your favorite Charlie Brown classics once again at venues such as the Carroll County Arts Council and Blackrock Center For the Arts.  The Washington Post recommended this as one of the top twenty events to attend this winter!

You can buy the Charlie Brown Christmas CD on CD Baby at this link. 

Detour Jazz Festival with the Eric Byrd Trio and Brother Ray Band

Most of you know Brad and I work together making the world a better place through music – one lesson at a time. But did you know that we actually play together too? As members of the Eric Byrd Trio: Brother Ray Band, we perform classic Ray Charles hits with a few other guys who dig the legendary musician as much as we do.

If you like jazz and blues, come check us out at Detour Winery on September 2. Despite the location, this is a great event for the whole family. In fact, kids get in free! So come, unwind, enjoy some live music, and end the summer with us. We hope to see you there!

Because music matters,

Bhagwan

The crowd loves the music and Brad Clements is glad to be a part of the performance by Eric Benet and Band.

 Show is July 25, 2012:

Four-time Grammy-nominated singer, Eric Benét is coming to DAR Constitution Hall on July 25 for a performance guaranteed to leave many an audience member speechless. Known for his perfect pitch, this smooth and soulful R&B master will sound even better than usual on Wednesday night because of one thing – his accompaniment! B&B’s own Brad Clements is the trumpeter in Eric’s band for the show, and he’s sure to make the instrumentals as unforgettable as Eric’s velvety vocals.

Brad Clements poses, trumpet in hand, ready for a great night with Eric Benet and Band.

…“He can blow!”

But this won’t be their first gig together. The two originally worked with one another on Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage Cruise in 2011, and they’ve done a few shows together since. Brad, who’s worked with the likes of Chuck Brown, Prince, and Jill Scott, instantly respected Eric for being an original, consistent hard worker with a unique interpretation of song. And on top of all that, Brad added, “He can blow!”

Eric Benet passionate about music, sings along side Brad Clements on trumpet.

Get Your Tickets Before They’re Gone!

But don’t take Brad’s word for it. Come see for yourself. Eric’s performing as a special guest for Ledisi’s Be Good To Yourself Tour. But tickets are going fast. To get yours or for more info, please visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/Ledisi-tickets/artist/1104783

Brad Clements plays his heart out, flanked by Greg Boyer and Brent Birkhead.

“Ledisi … a force certain to bring the house down…”

And by the way, Brad has experience playing with Ledisi too! She’s actually one of his favorite performers to work with, a force certain to bring the house down. You can check her out here.

Beacon Theater before the show, Ledisi with special guests Eric Benet & Band with Brad Clements.

Brad Clements enjoying some down time with Greg Boyer and Brent Birkhead.

Check out Greg Boyer’s performance below!

Four-time Grammy-nominated singer, Eric Benét performs along side trumpeter and B&B Music Lessons co-founder, Brad Clements.

One of B&B’s own rock star instructors, Laura Tsaggaris, is hitting the studio to produce her fourth album, Everyman. A singer/ songwriter/ guitarist based in Washington, DC, who’s been aptly likened to Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, and Suzanne Vega, Laura’s well known for blending elements of rock, pop, blues, and jazz, giving a diverse group of music lovers cause to celebrate.

And upcoming Everyman, which focuses on Laura’s vocals and her killer skills on the acoustic guitar, promises to strike a chord with fans as well. As the title suggests, Laura hopes listeners will be able to find themselves in her lyrics, which touch on universal themes like love, loss, fear, and courage. Transcending race, sex, and gender, Laura’s new album aims to unite audiences with the rallying cry, “we are all Everyman.”

At the beginning of May, Laura packed her bags and headed to Los Angeles, where she’s spending the month recording with Grammy nominated producer, Jamie Caniloro, who’s worked with artists like R.E.M., Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, and the Eagles. They expect the completed album ready in early fall.

To learn more about Laura, check out her B&B teacher’s profile or visit her Web site at http://www.lauratsaggaris.com.

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Here is a vide0 from the concert at the Teatro Municipal in La Paz, Bolivia.  The theater is gorgeous with four levels of balconies!  There is a beautifully painted domed ceiling and ancient chandeliers.  Quite the spot to play in.  Of course it is 12,000 feet above sea level so that adds a level of difficulty.  But well worth the effort!

The Eric Byrd Trio Performances and Jazz Master Classes in Bolivia

The Eric Byrd Trio has returned from another successful trip to Bolivia (including La Paz and Cochabamba).  The trio had concerts as well as jazz workshops in both cities.  While the altitude of both cities is high, La Paz takes the prize with an altitude of up to 13,300 feet.  This is well over 2 miles high.  Believe me, it is hard to play music when you feel like a sledgehammer is pounding in your head.  But the people are so friendly and enthusiastic about the music that it is well worth the effort.

Here is an article regarding one of the performances (in Spanish!), and here are a few pictures.  We sure hope to return soon!

Concert at Hotel Torino

TV interview in Cochabamba