By Lorrie Harrison
Special to the Islands’ Weekly
For the seventh time in seven years, Joe Reilly will pack his guitar, leave Michigan and head for Lopez. Many islanders have been counting the days. Local musician Jaime Cordova is one.
“Its a real pleasure to play with Joe,” he said. “We want to fill Lopez with music.”
Joe’s playful, engaging, beautiful music has earned him a loyal following.
“Joe Reilly’s songs are simply joyful. I look forward to his concerts for months,” says one fan.
Accompanied each year by Jaime Cordova on the congas, bongo or cajon, Joe usually plays small venues: Isabel’s porch, library concerts for kids and their families, house concerts, and last year, a cozy community concert at the Hamlet’s Gathering Place.
This year, that’s all going to change.
His first community-wide concert will be held at Lopez Center this Sunday, March 3, 4 – 6 p.m.,$10 suggested donation for adults, $25 for the whole family. In addition to Jaime on the drums, Allison Radell (also from Michigan) will be joining Joe on vocals and piano for the first half of the show. A second set will feature a Lopez group, Los Hermanos: Jaime on hand drums, Hawk Arps on vibes and Colin Doherty on bass guitar. Other musicians may be on stage, too.
“We used to call ourselves Los Tres Hermanos, but friends started sitting in,” says Jaime. “So you might be seeing Donnie Poole on percussion or Lark Dalton on trumpet as well.”
Los Hermanos describe their music as Latin jazz – everything from soft and soothing to hot and spicy.
“In a way, this is my thank you to Lopez,” says Joe. “I’ve been embraced and held by the loving support of this community, the people and the sacred place, from the beginning. Lopez helped me grow my music and my career. I hope this concert will be a reflection of that gratitude.”
“We set the concert time at 4 o’clock,” adds Jaime. “That way folks can have time in the garden, come enjoy the music, and still have time to get home to make dinner. We encourage you to bring the family! Joe’s music inspires everyone. There will be a dance floor and a section for concert seating.”
Joe’s seven CDs all feature his trademark environmental tunes. At the center of his heartfelt music is the invitation to heal relationships with ourselves, each other and the earth. His newest release is “Hello Ocean,” a five-song EP (extended play). “Greyhound Bus Tour” comes out in May.
