By Charles W. Kim
There is a different kind of atmosphere this summer at the Shogun 27 restaurant in Kendall Park.
For three nights during the summer, the restaurant is bringing in live music on Fridays to complement its weekly Karaoke night sponsored by Rielly’s Collision in Monmouth Junction.
”We are trying to create a different ‘vibe’ for Friday nights,” Manager Albert Eng said. “It will be a different atmosphere.”
The new, live music began July 15 with the northern New Jersey Silk Band and a special performance by violinist and Atlanta Georgia resident Brooke Alford.
The three acts appearing this summer, including a show tomorrow night and another Aug. 12, were booked through Capital Star Entertainment in Princeton, owned by Tyrone Taylor.
”I approached Shogun,” Mr. Taylor, who has frequented the business for about nine years said. “I saw an opportunity for them and for my artists.”
Mr. Taylor’s mission in putting the acts in place is to increase the restaurant’s customer base and get exposure for the acts.
”I thought it was a good dovetail to what (the acts) do, and the establishment is very open to having us come in here,” Mr. Taylor said. “I thought the band would offer the crowd some excitement.”
During the first performance July 15, the Silk Band performed many popular and dance songs while Ms. Alford used her violin talents to give the crowd something a bit different by using the instrument for the vocals instead of her voice.
Ms. Alford, a 20-something graduate of Florida State, travels throughout the country performing contemporary jazz, gospel, hip-hop and classical music.
”It is a pretty good mix,” Ms. Alford said. “It is pretty fused.”
Ms. Alford said her audiences often can hear her classical music training through her performances and that it is a fusion with many of the songs she performs.
”It is all music that I love,” Ms. Alford said. “It is all influential in the music I am playing.”
The term “viosocalist” describes how she can play very soulfully through the songs allowing the violin to take the vocal parts, singing soulfully through the violin.
”I not up there with a vocal microphone singing,” Ms. Alford said. “It is all exclusively through my instrument.”
Ms. Alford said her music is so varied that people sometimes have a hard time trying to classify her into a particular genre.
”There are many different genres I perform,” Ms. Alford said.
The performance was the first time Ms. Alford and the Silk Band collaborated in a performance, Ms. Alford said.
Tomorrow night the restaurant has Rachel Allyn scheduled with her band and then there is also an Aug. 12 performance scheduled by Kateherine Doray.
The shows begin at 9 p.m. and there is a $10 charge for reserved seating. Attendees must be 21 years old to be served alcohol.
