Club d’Elf laid out plans for their 2022 Fall Tour dates. The Boston-based collective led by Mike Rivard will bring its revolving lineup to a mix of new haunts and old standbys in September and October with special guests aboard for most shows.
The trek comes in support of Club d’Elf’s 2022 studio album, You Never Know, and follows the band’s appearance at Into The Sun 2022 on Sunday. Renowned keyboardist John Medeski and Neighbor guitarist Lyle Brewer as well as guitarist Rob Compa and keyboardist Eli Winderman from Dopapod will be among the group’s featured guests over the next two months at select performances.
“Since the beginning the band has always been a shape shifting entity, with different musicians flowing in and out for each show,” explained Rivard. “These shows will continue in that mode, and it will be cool to have new folks such as Lyle and Rob and Eli sitting in for the first time. It keeps things fresh to have new blood, as well as having a mix of old school members such as Medeski, David Tronzo, Mister Rourke, David Fiuczynski, Paul Schultheis, Randy Roos, Amy Bellamy and Van Gordon Martin.”
“The biggest change, for me as the bass player especially,” Rivard added, “is mixing things up with the drum chair. Dean Johnston has held the chair since 2006, but playing with Neighbor has made it so that he’s not available for every show. I’ve been playing with Fabio Pirozzolo for many years, first with Grand Fatilla and more recently with Sawaari, and he’ll be filling in for the shows Dean can’t do. To make things even more interesting, we’re using a modified percussion set up instead of a traditional drum kit, with cajon standing in for a kick drum, with frame drums in the mix as well.”
Club d’Elf next takes the stage on September 22 at The Music Room in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts with Van Gordon Martin. David Fiucyznski will then be aboard at Broad Brook, Connecticut’s Opera House on September 23 before Rob Compa performs as part of the lineup at Foam Brewers in Burlington, Vermont on September 24. Club d’Elf ends the month at the familiar confines of Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Lizard Lounge with Lyle Brewer on September 30.
October starts with a concert at Orlando’s Bar and Lounge in Burlington, Vermont on the 1st. It’s then back to Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts with Van Gordon Martin on October 7 before Club d’Elf featuring Rob Compa and Eli Winderman of Dopapod play Brooklyn’s Industry City on October 13. From there, the ensemble hits Le Getaway in Kent, Connecticut with Compa on October 14; plays Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with David Tronzo on October 19 and reunites with John Medeski at Bombyx in Northampton, Massachusetts on October 27.
The tour ends with performances at Portland, Maine’s Bayside Bowl on October 28 and at Soundcheck Studios on October 31. Visit clubelf.com for more information.
Watch Club d’Elf cover “King Kong” by Frank Zappa live in the studio below:
