Have you been to Chan's? It's that place up in Woonsocket that you've always been meaning to go to. Well, believe it or not, people actually do get there, even if you don't. In fact, it's one of the most successful and long-running clubs in the area. Beginning this month, the club celebrates 25 years of its series, "Egg Roll, Jazz & Blues Live at Chan's." That's a lotta years, and it's a lotta shows.

Now through April 15, the Museum of Work & Culture will host a 25th anniversary exhibit as John Chan of Chan's Fine Oriental Dining celebrates 25 years with a visual retrospective of the restaurant's musical history. The gallery will feature posters, photos, and many of the tchotchkes that Chan has collected over the years, as well as instruments given to him, from guitars (Duke Robillard, Luther Johnson, and Larry Coryell) to harmonicas (Kim Wilson, Gerry Portnoy, and John Hammond). The gallery space has been transformed to appear as though visitors are entering the landmark restaurant and there will be continuous video footage of some of the live music that has played at Chan's over the years.

Chan first got the idea of adding live music to his restaurant offerings while he was a student at Providence College. Then, as now, his intention was to create a unique supper club atmosphere combining good eats with great music and helping guests enjoy themselves in as many ways as possible. In the early days, his biggest obstacle was getting people to come north. That's no longer a problem for most folks.

The first show took place in 1977. In those early days, WGBH's Ron Della Chiesa was a big supporter on his "Music America" show and Chan credits much of his concert series' early success to that program. Because of that early success, Woonsocket, a relatively inconsequential fishing village badly in need of renewal, was beginning to make strides thanks to John and his vision. Over the years, the venue has changed. Chan has added the Four Seasons Banquet Room, which offers audiences better acoustics and viewing and more seating. And greats from all genres of music have played the room, including Scott Hamilton, Mose Allison, Leon Redbone, Roomful of Blues (of course!) and, in 1988, the legendary Dizzy Gillespie.

Through the years, Chan has kept the jazz and blues flags flying proudly. Few locals understand the idioms better, and he always lets the music speak entirely for itself. He knows how lucky we are to have such great regional talent, and he doesn't hesitate to let that talent do its thing. Here's to another 25 years of adventurous and satisfying bookings at Chan's.

The Museum of Work & Culture is located at 42 South Main St., Woonsocket. The exhibit can be viewed weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. with museum admission. Call 769-9675 for more information.

GAMELIN BENEFIT. Death be not proud indeed. For it took Richie Gamelin away from us way too soon, at the age of 31. He died last month from pneumonia.

Richie was a lot of things: a son, a teacher, a student, a talent, a bandmate, and friend. He was recently a trumpet player for Rick Mendes's band Blueswagon. "We rode together to every gig for at least two years," says Mendes. "He was a nice kid and it just sucks that this has happened. You sit there and think, `Why did this happen? People don't die this way anymore.' "

When he wasn't gigging with Blueswagon, the family-oriented Gamelin spent his time teaching music to kids at the Essex Hopkins Middle School in Providence. "The kids loved him," says Mendes. "He was well-liked and a really patient guy. Not a bad trumpet player either."

In Gamelin's memory, Mendes and friends are organizing a benefit show, a tribute to the musician's brief but notable life. The show goes down at the Patriot Bar and Grill in Warwick. There will be live music beginning at noon and cranking it up until close. Donating their services will be Steve Smith and the Nakeds, the Nightbirds with Rick Mendes, the Urge, Ways & Means, Killer Kane with the Blue FOs, Loaded Dice (with former Blueswagon members), Acme Trucking, Last Exit, and Bill Gannon and Terry Banander. Jason Colonies opens the show in an acoustic slot, and DJs Swing Daddy and Paul Rodrigues will fill in the gaps. There will be food and raffles and all kinds of fun stuff.

More importantly, the show will benefit the music department at Essex Hopkins, as well as the music department at Rhode Island College, where Gamelin learned his trade and graduated from the music school. "Putting together a show and donating the proceeds to the music schools seemed to be the best way to honor Richie's memory," says Mendes.

We agree. Rest in peace, good trumpeter.

This benefit takes place this Sunday 2/23, beginning at noon. The Patriot Bar and Grill is on 685 Airport Road in Warwick. Admission is $10. Call 732-2288 for details and directions.

HILLBILLY VOODOO. On Friday (the 21st), the Blackstone River Theatre presents a night of acoustic blues and American roots music with Hillbilly Voodoo, featuring the infamous Barrence Whitfield. Doesn't it feel like you've been hearing that name for a looooooong time? Anyway, guitarist Mike Dinallo (former Radio Kings) and Whitfield, along with dobro and mandolinist Steve Sadler, have come a long way in a pretty short time, exploring the turf separating acoustic blues, stomping roots music, and country soul. Dinallo's songs are tough and tender, gritty but elegant, connecting the dots between Skip James and James Chance. He's a vastly improving writer on a steady rise, and one that's worth watching. Combine that with Whitfield's country/ blues howls and R&B yowls and you have a show worth catching. The Blackstone is located at 549 Broad Street in Cumberland. Admission is $10 at the door. Call 725-9272 for more information.

WANDERING EYE. Fred Mossberg and Radio Wallpaper are ready to debut their new member. Former Freakshow and Transparent dude Mike Charpentier makes his official debut as the band's bassist this Saturday at the Green Room. The night promises to be super-rockin', with the Problem opening and Slugworth topping the bill. Charpentier replaces Jessica MacPhee (longtime guitarist and vocalist in Betty Finn) who, according to Fred, did an unbelievable job on bass for the band over the past year and a half, reviving the outfit when all parties began to think the party itself was over.

Turning Blue has two big shows coming up. First, they'll be opening on Friday (the 21st) at the Met, ahead of Armor for Sleep, Panic in Detroit, and Hey Mercedes. But the gig is a tune-up for next week, which is an infinitely better slot -- as a headliner at Lupo's. Helping them throw the party will be Slik Willy and Junction 18. There's lots to report on the rising TB. Stay tuned.

E-mail me your music news at big.daddy1@cox.net.

Issue Date: February 21 - 27, 2003