SMOKE N’ MIRRORS AT THE UPTOWNER
POSTED:: March 10, 2025
FILED UNDER:: Concert Review
Alright, let’s get right to it: the Uptowner got shut down by two baby faced cops at 8:40 p.m. before SMOKE N’ MIRRORS could begin their second set, which would’ve been tight n’ blazing, based upon the first set we saw Thursday night. The drummer was tight as tight can be, tastily filing whenever space gasped with satisfaction from the sweet sax and organ foundation. We’ll get back to Milwaukee’s finest in a moment, but first, about the police: a noise complaint surfaced from across the street, as one Riverwest resident doesn’t dig groovy, improvised glory on a Thursday night. Note to complainer: move to the suburbs.
Gabe Hammer (organ) and Pete Geraci (saxophone) and Sam Kacala (drums set) traded triumphant licks amongst their finest selves on the slightly elevated stage at the Uptowner as sweet plumes of this and that rose above Wisconsin’s eldest tavern. The crowd warmed quickly to the fact that this trio was kicking ass and the applause escalated after each number closed. More folks meandered in as the evening grew to its eight-o-clock apex, some dropping as much as seven dollars cash on the bar floor, others passing inhalants, still others searching the Ike-like oil painting for hidden meanings of America, mayhem, Jazz and the goddamn great groove of SMOKE N’ MIRRORS ws more than enough meaning for me…
Until they ceased their first set and eased into the crowd for refreshments and conversation.My companion for the evening was, of course, a Montessori teacher and a drummer, so he struck up all sorts of Hammon-based conversations with Hammer and as the two spoke a language I knew not, the coppers slid through the bar (someone card those two) and made polite, brisk conversation with some Uptowner luminaries. Moments later, a man out of Doonesbury drawn by Robert Crum informed SMOKE N’ MIRRORS that their synchronous interplay of telepathic sound was done for the night, though the next drink was on the house. – DJ Machine
Be sure to Check out SMOKE N’ MIRRORS Live (& without possibility of noise compliant)
March 21 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm $15
bar centro
804 E. Center St.
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 455-3751