Here are stories, CD and show reviews, and general articles in the press related to Jon Caspi (scroll down):
8-16-06 in Asbury Park Press about money raised at Jon's cd release party/benefit for Open Hearts for Keyport Parks. Click HERE to read.
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8-11-06 in Asbury Park Press announcing Jon's CD Release Party/Benefit. Click HERE to read. By Justin Vellucci
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8-10-06 in Atlantic Highlands Herald about Jon's new CD and upcoming CD release party. Click HERE to read.
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8-9-06 in the Independent about Jon's new CD and upcoming CD release party. Click HERE to read. By Jessica Smith
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8-8-06 Two articles on UpstageMagazine.com: one about the CD (click HERE) and the other about the benefit (click HERE). Story also released to PRWeb (click HERE).
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Article in July/Aug '06 edition of Upstage Magazine on Jon having a sandwich named after him...The Caspi Special. Click HERE to read story!
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Article in Mar/April '06 edition of NJCoast.com. Article by Carole Brandi. Click here to read it.
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Article in spring '06 edition of Jetty Magazine. To read story click HERE.
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Jon quoted in article on John Lennon in 12/05 edition of Upstage Magazine. To read story click HERE.
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Article in the 10/6 edition of the Asbury Park Press by Joe Pike:
Keyport rocker Jon Caspi in running for Asbury music award
[CLICK HERE to see actual article]
For Keyport rocker Jon Caspi, the only thing better than being the borough's first musician ever nominated for an Asbury Park Music Award is that he did it by singing about the town he loves.
"Keyport is a small town, and we got some really good musical talent here," Caspi said. "It's pretty cool to represent this town, to be recognized."
The 40-year-old musician got word that he was nominated in the Top Male Solo category two weeks ago, and he credits his latest album, "This Town," a compact disc that tells the tale of his love for a town he moved to four years ago.
"I was there for about a year before I realized that this was a pretty special place that I moved to," Caspi said of Keyport. "If I was on vacation, I would come back home and find that my lawn was mowed, or if it was snowing, my driveway would be shoveled. And it wasn't because it was me, it was because that is what the people of this town do."
Al Anzano, Caspi's close friend and photographer for "This Town," said Keyport is proud of its rocking neighbor.
"He's never just performing for himself," said Anzano, 45, who has lived in Keyport for the past 20 years. "He performs for the people, he performs for the people of this town. He loves his neighborhood. He fit right in, and he felt at home since the day he moved here."
Caspi played at the Wonder Bar on Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park as part of the AMA showcase and is scheduled to play on Oct. 15 at Espresso Joe's coffeehouse.
Sonny Han, co-owner of Espresso Joe's, said it's great to see Caspi, a regular at his establishment, get the much-deserved recognition.
"He is a great songwriter and a great performer," Han said. "He has the support of everyone in this town, and we are all proud of him."
In addition to his original tunes, Caspi also does sets of songs from the '50s and '60s — from Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash to Buddy Holly and the Beatles.
Caspi plays original music that reflects a range of styles — from American rock to modern pop. He performs frequently with his band and solos, mostly showcasing original material but also playing covers — particularly at venues that ask for them.
Caspi has been a mainstay in the New Jersey music scene. He has been the lead voice and songwriter for nationally successful acts such as Bouncing Off Bob and Boss Gremlin, and had his music featured on radio stations across the United States, in films, and on MTV.
Now, Caspi has been primarily involved in the local scene. "This Town" was released in January and has been played on radio stations across the country. The CD is available for $10 at Espresso Joe's, the Indigo Cafe in Aberdeen and Ricci D's in Keyport.
"It really makes you feel special to see someone like him come along and sing about how much he loves this town," Han said. "For a small town like Keyport, it really lifts everyone's spirits."
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Article in the 8/16 edition of The Independent by Karen E. Bowes:
‘The King’ is gone, but not forgotten: Musicians mark anniversary of Elvis’ death with tribute
[CLICK HERE to see actual article and photos (including Jon in Elvis gear).]
KEYPORT — Keyport has a new king. Twenty-eight years after his death, Elvis Presley fans continue to pay tribute to the man they call “the King.”
At Espresso Joe’s coffee shop on West Front Street, musicians and fans came together on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the legend’s demise.
“He changed music,” said Shaun Cooney, lead singer of The Blue Suede Bombers. “In the early ’50s, he mixed gospel with R&B, which a lot of people didn’t do. It was very segregated. You didn’t mix the two.” Elvis’ favorite sandwich was on the menu during a tribute concert at Espresso Joe’s coffee shop. Cooney’s band played only Elvis tunes on Sunday, delighting the crowd with many of the legend’s early hits. “Normally, we play as an original band,” said upright bassist Tim Finan. “We did this because we really like Elvis and we thought it was a cool thing to do.” The band considers itself a rockabilly trio, a mix of hillbilly and ’50s-style rock and roll. “It’s a very grassroots playing style,” said guitarist Bill Gleason. “Elvis, he’s a little bit of both rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll.”
The Blue Suede Bombers made the trip from North Jersey, but were followed by hometown musician Jon Caspi. “Why wouldn’t I love Elvis? He’s got it all,” Caspi said. “He can sing. He can dance. He’s the ‘King.’ When he hit the scene, nobody had ever seen anything like that before. That’s why the women went crazy.” Wearing an Elvis medallion and ring, Caspi, along with guitarist Doug Lane, played a mix of Presley’s early and late hits.
“I grew up listening to the new resurgence of rockabilly,” said Lane, who accompanies Caspi in an original band called Phon-Z. In between songs, Caspi quizzed the audience on their Elvis trivia. “What Elvis song inspired a line of shampoo products?” he asked. The answer: “Teddy Bear.” Another bit of trivia: Elvis’ middle name, Aron, is spelled as Aaron on his grave. “That’s part of the speculation why he’s still alive,” Caspi said.
Caspi said he became an Elvis fan in college, collecting clippings from tabloids like The Weekly World News. “We had an Elvis shrine in our dorm room, stuff like, ‘Elvis lives on Mars,’ ”Caspi said.
Of course, there are those who believe he never left Earth. “Do you think he’s really dead?” asked Cooney.
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Jon in the New York Times!
This picture appeared in the Sunday 6-26-05 edition. Look who's name is on the marquee! ....although you have to look close.
ARTICLE IN THE AQUARIAN by Chris Barry, appeared May 2005:
THIS TOWN, THIS GUY, THIS TIME?
Take a look at him and you wonder where or how you’ve seen him
before. He’s your neighbor, he’s your bartender, he’s up there on stage
and he’s just sitting next to you.
Bearing slightly more than a passing resemblance to musical idol John Eddie, Keyport resident Jon Caspi is back with a new CD that’s getting solid airplay on over 150 stations nationwide. But he’s been there before, in bands like Boss Gremlin and Bouncing Off Bob, as his former projects were played on hundreds of alternative stations and even on MTV in the early ’90s.
The 11 song CD entitled This Town features, not surprisingly the
track "This Town" which is the one that’s tracked the most airplay. It’s
one of those working man’s everyday hymns in a John Mellencamp/"Pink
Houses" vein, about growing up in your sleepy little hometown and just
walking down the street and feeling good...
We may not always love where we’re from, but there’s a good buzz
on going back home, and Caspi’s escalating harmonies and down-homey
riffs on "This Town" assure you why "...it looks good to me..." Another track "Down In It," about a love that’s too hot to touch and too intense to ignore, where he sings "...Maybe we could get high in it,
maybe we could burn in it" just slowly smokes. It’s been included on
WBJB’s Spring 2005 90.5 The Nightlocal music sampler, a classy
comp that features rising local rockers like Maybe Pete and Terraplane
Blues.
Also dug the E Street keyboards and jangling acoustic guitars of
"Long Way Back" where the star-crossed lovers may be too different
but hey, odds fit evens and Caspi assures you that "If you’re walking
then I’m walking in your tracks." And there’s more radio-ready
material with the power-balladic aura of "Waiting," about the joys
and downers of love’s anticipation in a soul-touching vocal tone. And
don’t miss the about face to amusingly strange "Ezra And Theo." Edgy
guitars jumpstart "Ezra," which demands you "look at me" in a punkish,
anxious voice. Is it a song to his love or newborn child you wonder, as
the song trails off with a child warbling solo through "Ring Of Fire."
Actually, the vocals were rendered by Caspi’s son Ezra, and there’s
more Britrock-tinged piping on "Not Important" about of course, what
is important. Overall, there’s nothing groundbreaking here, but even
so Caspi delivers some predictably tasty riffs much in the classic Asbury
sound vein, from a guy who seems to have a warm handle on what
almost sounds like his own SOAP-rooted subgenre.
The band also features Ken Kraut on bass and Jimmy Mizell on
drums, and along the way, they mix in edgy modern pop with punk
influences like the Goo Goo Dolls, Jessie Malin and Third Eye Blind.
You just missed Jon with his full band last week at The Saint where
they packed the place and you couldn’t drag Caspi off the stage, but
on Saturday, May 28 he’ll be doing a solo acoustic show at Espresso
Joe’s Café in Keyport, and Caspi and his band will be back for more
band shows on Saturday, June 18 down at Asbury’s Wonder Bar in a
special party with Maybe Pete and Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan.
For a copy of "The Night" sampler, they have a deal with a listener
membership that throws you a free one, details at www.90.5TheNight.org . Jon's CD is also available at CD Street, and
at Espresso Joe’s and Ricci D’s in beautiful downtown Keyport. For
more info, it’s all down at www.joncaspi.com
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Article in Upstage Magazine in April, 2005 by Gary Wein:
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ROCK (The Jon Caspi Credo)
To see article, click on the following URL:
http://www.upstagemagazine.com/articles/getarticle.php?ID=428
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Letter written to the Independent on 2/22:
Keyport Friends extend thanks to local musician
The Keyport Friends of the Arts would like to thank Jon Caspi publicly for making his CD-release party held Jan. 29 a benefit performance for our organization. The funds from this benefit will be used to further expand and enhance the creative arts in the Keyport Public Schools.
The lead album song, “This Town” — which Jon wrote and performed — is about Keyport. He sings that “Each day I am surprised by just how incredibly kind everyone I’ve met has been in this town.” Of course, it is clear Jon has been “incredibly kind” and generous to the Friends and the teachers and children they support through their efforts.
Our thanks and best wishes to Jon Caspi on his new CD.
Ed McNamara
Keyport Friends of the Arts
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Article in the Asbury Park Press by Jon Coen on Feb. 1, 2005
Keyport, Asbury are rocker's kinds of towns
While the Asbury music scene may be in a state of flux, the concept of hometown music remains steadfast in Monmouth County. Not even a last-minute change of venue could thwart Jon Caspi's "This Town" CD release party.
As Caspi's friends and fans filed into Asbury Park's Wonderbar on Saturday night, there was some speculation regarding the recent closing of Harry's Roadhouse on Cookman Avenue. The release party originally was scheduled for Harry's, but Caspi said he learned Thursday that the club is changing ownership and would not reopen following a winter break.
"We scheduled the show back in December," said Caspi, a professor at Montclair State University. "They were just supposed to close for two weeks. They kept assuring us that it would reopen, until Thursday. In one day, we had to plan a whole new party. Luckily, the Wonderbar was open."
Things came together at the Wonderbar for Caspi, who is releasing his first solo album (www.joncaspi.com).
We found a soundman, a caterer and got the word out to the public," said Caspi. "It was remarkably easy."
Caspi's loyal supporters, many from Keyport, had no problem with the venue change. Since moving to Keyport three years ago, Caspi said he has been impressed with the community.
"Last week, after the huge snowstorm, everyone came out with snow blowers to help each other out. I go away on vacation, come back, and my grass is mowed. It's just been amazing," he said.
Last year, the town came together to help a local family in crisis, and Caspi played the benefit. That feeling of community inspired "This Town," a mature solo effort Caspi describes as "American rock." His role in previous college and alternative rock bands, such as Boss Gremlin and Bouncing Off Bob, was as frontman and songwriter. He says, however, that his personal taste runs more more toward Rancid than Springsteen.
Radio stations already have picked up a few songs, including the title track. Accompanying Caspi onstage were drummer Jim Mizell and bassist Ken Kraut.
"I went to school at Keyport, and learned to play drums there," said Mizell, formerly of the local ensemble Holiday Express. "This project is a really nice way to give back to the community."
Saturday's show was held as a benefit for the Friends of the Arts of Keyport Public Schools.
Caspi's Keyport following was fired up, as he rocked into tracks off the album, peppering the set with a few creative covers. He thanked his supporters and the Wonderbar profusely.
"We've gone to places to see Jon play lots of times," said Frank Laspis, owner of the Seaport Diner in Keyport, which is pictured on the CD. "It's beautiful," beamed the diner owner. "It's a good CD. It's good people."
Lou "Linguini" Dello, chef from Harry's Roadhouse, handled the catering at the party. He, like others, said he was unsure of Harry's fate. Calls to the management at Harry's were not returned.
"I hope they open again," said Caspi. "It's a great place."
Click here for link to the actual story.
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CD Review: By Lazlo at Blowupradio.com on Jan. 30, 2005:
Jon Caspi writes lyrics of a true American singer-songwriter, capturing personal feelings and emotions, each song brings you into his world. But here’s the twist, he takes these lyrics and attaches them to some incredible pop-roots-rock music. These are songs that on one level make you want to sing along , try the instantly catchy “down in it”, “misunderstood”, among others. But on another level really make you feel for Jon as he sings about relationships that no longer have that romantic spark even though the love is still there (“waiting”) or how he’s met that perfect someone with which he wants to spend the rest of his life (“marry me”). Half rock and roll, half Americana ballads, 100% heart, this is a great album. Click here for link to the review.
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Article in the Asbury Park Press by Kathy Dzielak on Jan. 29, 2005
CD Release Party Moved to Wonderbar
A show featuring Jon Caspi that had been scheduled for Harry's Roadhouse on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park tonight will now take place at the Wonderbar on Ocean Avenue because Harry's Roadhouse, which has been closed for several weeks, is not reopening, the performer said in an e-mail.
"Despite promising me many times that they would be open for our party, Harry's Roadhouse did not come through and have closed down," said Caspi, whose release party for his CD "This Town" is being held as a benefit for the Friends of the Arts of Keyport Public Schools.
"After a short moment of disappointment, we decided that the party must still go on, so we are still having the party/benefit, but the venue has changed," Caspi continued.
Based in Monmouth County, Caspi plays music that reflects a range of styles, "from good old American rock a la Springsteen to modern pop like Third Eye Blind, the Goo Goo Dolls and Jesse Malin," according to his Web site.
Despite Caspi's claims, the answering machine for Harry's Roadhouse was still in operation yesterday; however, a call to the club's management was not returned as of press time.
The show is now scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at the Wonderbar on Ocean Avenue, with Caspi scheduled to take the stage at 10 p.m. Admission/donation is $10.
For more information, call (732) 502-8886 or go to www.wonderbarnj.com or www.joncaspi.com.
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Article in Upstagemagazine.com by Gary Wein on Jan. 28, 2005
Harry's Roadhouse Screws Jon Caspi
Thank God for the Wonder Bar... that's all I have to say. Just got the official word that Jon Caspi's CD Release Party, which was scheduled for this Saturday at Harry's Roadhouse has been moved to the Wonder Bar.
Be sure to come out this Saturday (Jan. 29th) to the Wonder Bar to see this great Jersey artist. Tickets are a $10 donation that goes to the Friends of the Arts of Keyport Public Schools. So, it's a CD release party and a good cause as well!
For the record, Harry's Roadhouse had assured Jon for the last few weeks that they would be reopening on Jan. 27th. This did not happen and apparently they will remain closed for the near future. It's a shame because that place would truly be great for Asbury Park's music scene if they could ever get things figured out... -- grw Click Here for link to actual story.________________________
Article by Karen Bowes in the Independent on January 25, 2005
Click here to read the story on Jon Caspi and the release of This Town, and the benefit party for the Friends of the Arts of Keyport Public Schools.
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