By Danny Coleman
originally published: 01/04/2018

"Anyone can make a record; doesn't mean it's going to be good but the possibility to do so is there," laughed multi-instrumentalist and horn player Jeff Oster as he and fellow FLOW band mate Will Ackerman discussed their latest release.

"I've been recording with Will since '03," continued Oster. "He has done three of my albums in his studio and I'm his Flugel Horn guy if needed. Three years ago I was asked to put a band together and I thought we'll have Will produce it; so I asked him and he became part of the group. The whole thing was and is quite organic as everyone brings their own stuff and we just build the music from there with each of us adding parts."

 Ackerman, a Grammy Award winning producer and founder of Windham Hill Records still shakes his head a bit when he recounts how things all came about; especially since he thought that he was out of the music business years ago. "I was with another company and I had signed a three year non-compete agreement; essentially I thought I was done. I wasn't producing music and I withdrew from the industry because the bureaucracy bothered me. I was doing some things here and there and then I was back into it and then Jeff, Fiona (Vocalist/Pianist Joy) and Lawrence (Guitarist Blatt) asked me to produce an album and play guitar on it. I had worked with all of them individually and they wanted to bring me into the band. This was threatening at first because I had to exhibit the same faith and trust in trust in them and another producer that they had in me and at age 68 doing that and learning songs was like a brand new experience. The nice thing about it though is that it's like a grown up's sandbox; we just start playing and throw ideas around (Laughs)." 

Now that Ackerman was part of the group, they utilized the services of his co-producer Tom Eaton to aide in the process. "Tom Eaton has great focus and doesn't like to add a lot of overdubs," explained Oster. "He said, "The four of you have sonic identity" and that meant a lot to me because as a horn player tone is my thing, I like warm sounds and dynamics." 

Given this great new line up and a self titled record; they were presented with the opportunity to perform at the famed Carnegie Hall. "That gig presented somewhat of a challenge," laughed Oster. "We had only played together three times so it took work on our parts to put this together for a live show. So for now, we're trying to build a live performance around this and see where we go from there." 

 

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Ackerman has won a Grammy and been nominated for multiple others and his and Eaton's production work has garnered 24 ZMR Awards from various projects; with much fanfare for his home recording studio in Vermont. "Being here, I'm generally staying close to what I know," says Ackerman. "I've got this Steinway piano in my studio and I get this great piano sound. I get clients from all over the world who come to my studio for the piano sound. They've come from Malaysia, Japan, South Africa, Germany and all over and I only do about 10 projects a year. My studio musicians are some of the best around, Jeff, Tony Levin, Steve Holley, Russell Tubbs, Eugene Friesen; these guys are quality players and with Tom Eaton as a producer it works. The thing is, ego has totally left the equation now. When an artist or someone comes to me and wants to use our services, we offer a unique environment. We gain their trust and loyalty in that order and throughout the process I state my opinion but the decision is totally theirs. I've been involved with something like 27 to 30 platinum records here at Windham so I must've done something right (laughs). The most rewarding thing though is when people leave here and say that their wildest dreams are small compared to what actually happened while here." 

Oster says that his solo music can probably best be described as, "Miles Davis meets Pink Floyd," but he has a long storied career and even has a Jersey connection as well. "I have six solo records that are rather melodic," he stated with a slight laugh. "I have a couple of different viewpoints on music and music today. I'll sit in my house with "Garage Band,"cobble together a few things then ride around, listen to it and come up with some organic line then take a loop to my guys and start letting each one put in their own parts; I think it makes it less sterile that way. I use very few click tracks as I'm more old school than most. I was in New Jersey  not too long ago, I recorded at Jankland Studio near the shore area and used Nile Rodgers and Bernard Purdie, those guys are fantastic! I think Bernard did it in one take and it was perfect (Laughs)."

With so many irons in the fire, it seems that the band with the acronym name (FLOW stands for Fiona, Lawrence, Oster, Will) may not be coming to a town near you but they've not ruled out a west coast tour or the occasional one off type gig. They have however, stated no plans for a second disc. "This band doesn't sting to play with," said Ackerman. "The vibe is very positive but as far as a second record goes; it has not even been discussed. My home and the outlying studio are on a farm here in Vermont. I own 282 acres with turkeys, ducks, chickens and it keeps me pretty busy. These days I seem to have a chainsaw in my hand more than a guitar and the sound of reverb has been replaced by the sound of tractors but hey, I'll never say never." 

Oster echoes those sentiments, "I do my own thing. I have another album coming out at the end of 2018 and I used musicians from around here where I live in the Bay Area. I'd like to tour Europe a bit more as the audiences are more receptive over there. FLOW? I'm not sure because as individuals we are always writing and yet we are so spread out. We've not talked about a follow  up record but we certainly haven't ruled it out." 

To discover more about the new age band that is FLOW, please go to www.flowthegroup.com. 

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

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This week's event listings

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Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA) 
Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+

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Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Sun. 8 p.m. 
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen

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Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Gary Reed
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch w/ Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-356
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Sara M
Sat. 9 p.m. Zen Dog

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Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)

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Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia

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City Streets
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval

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COARadio.com
Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Jerry Monk

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Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Steamboat Annie
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke

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Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Kevin Toft & The Alternators
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton 
Wed. 9 p.m. Christine Warren

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Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. John Bushnell & Ernie White
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala

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Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 9 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night"
Fri. (8 p.m.) The Levin Brothers. Doors at 6 p.m., $25 (Advance) (10:30 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (1 p.m.) School Of Rock Princeton "End of Season." Doors at 12 p.m. (5 p.m.) School of Rock Doylestown. Doors at 4 p.m., $10 (8:30 p.m.) 52 Pick Up (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. (1 p.m.) Midnight Sun Orchestra (6 p.m.) JB Kline
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Little Mike & The Tornadoes. Doors at 7 p.m., $5

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Got 35
Fri. 6 p.m. Jerry Steele
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot"
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Dan Kassel

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 1 p.m. Jon Savage
Sun. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt

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Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Scrumper Joe
Sat. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
All shows 21+

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Jake's Eatery
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Sat. 9 p.m. Mia Johnson
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Bob Tomlinson
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night

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John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Sat. 3 p.m. Burning Red Sun 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jimmy G

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Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Check web site for upcoming events 
Mamma Rosa's
572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider

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McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+ 
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. "Far Beyond Giving" feat. Unscarred, Orion. $5
Sat. 9 p.m. The Silverhounds, Thorazine, Riverside Odds, The Skrulls
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Kirchner Entertainment

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Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 8 p.m. Brackish, Coach's Son, Moto Surf, no thank you.
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase

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New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Check web site for upcoming events

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Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics

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Nottingham Tavern
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Fri. 9 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer
Sat. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+

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Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Deep Release
All shows 21 +

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Parx Casino (360 Bar)
2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA
(888) 588-7299
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Latin Night" w/ DJ George Dennis
Fri. (9:30 p.m.) The Exceptions (10 p.m.) DJ Eric Vanderslice
Sat. (5 p.m.) The Dirty Mac (9:30 p.m.) The Rockets (10 p.m.) DJ Paul Desisto

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Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemon Pie
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 8 p.m. Soraia. All ages, $10
Sat, 7:30 p.m./9:30 p.m. Tommy Cromwell. $15 (Check for ticket availability)

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Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m.(TBA)

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Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m.The Rick Fiori Jazz Trio

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Tara's Tavern
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Nami Lane

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Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Funk Point 5
Sat. 9 p.m. After The Flood
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

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Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Sat. 7 p.m. Kate Sottile
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly
Wed. 7 p.m. "Jazz Night" w/ John Sheridan and BCCC

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir

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The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Tues 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jon Gosselin
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron

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The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Cathouse Blues Band
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.

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The Raven
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (7:30 p.m.) Fox Cats. $15 (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert  (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Mon. 10 p.m. "Ladies Night" All Male Revue

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The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Please check web page for upcoming events.

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The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Sat. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit

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The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events

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The Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326
Thurs. 8 p.m. Michael Francis McCarthy
Fri. 8 p.m. Stage Left

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Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Billy McGovern
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Walsh
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ McDermott's Handy
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. (7 p.m.) "What's Next? A Rockin' Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Alright Alright (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows  21+

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Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.

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Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour" w/ Jay Kountree (Live DJ all night)
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Jared Mancuso. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. No Sailor. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups start at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+

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Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. New Pony
All shows 21+

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Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+

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Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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