Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Roy Silva

Mr. Roy "Under The Stairs" Silva of JakTripper fame!

Roy Silva is well-known in "Beatle circles" as "Roy from under the stairs".  Each year, at The Fest For Beatles Fans", Roy leads the gang in all-day and all-night sing-alongs - LITERALLY all-day and all-night!  Roy plays acoustic 6-string and sings - a living jukebox of all Beatles songs.  I think it is impossible to stump him on Beatles songs.  He also has quite the repertoire in regards to Beatles Solo work as well.

Then, in recent years, he has also become known in music circles as "Roy from the Halfway to The Fest Fest" (an annual event hosted at Cabin 7 Studios).  At this event, not only does Roy become the Beatles jukebox, but also the ALL MUSIC jukebox.  The jam session, though centered around the Beatles, often times explores tangents throughout the music genres and decades.  From 1950s to 2010s, from Simon & Garlfunkel to Pink Floyd, from Elvis to Scooby-Doo (yes, Scooby Doo).  Again, Roy leads the gang on acoustic 6-string and vocals.

But, what's important, very important, to note about these two events, is that Roy might "lead" - but he doesn't take on the role of "leader" or "boss".  Roy is one with the crowd, with the other musicians and with the singers and spectators.  He assumes no supervisor type role, and he always goes with the flow of what the musicians and singers want to do.  He also, on occasion, even moves to bass guitar and even keyboards!  And of course, percussion.  Roy always brings a plethora of percussion instruments to these gigs.  What makes Roy so successful as the "center" of these jam sessions is his love for music and his love for people!  You can tell that Roy is having the time of his life hanging out with his friends and jamming to great music - and THAT, my friends, is infectious!

Of course, let's not forget, not just is he a jukebox and a great guy - he is talented!  As I said, he plays 6-string, bass, percussion, keyboards, and on top of all that - SINGS!  And he does all this very well!  Roy recently performed an acoustic-solo set at Amici's Taverna, in a slightly different setting than the informal sing-alongs.  Roy, without other musicians around him (as there usually are in the sing-alongs) stood up front - and performed flawlessly - working though a catalog filled with variety including Beatles, Jim Croce, Simon & Garfunkel, and much more!  Again, Roy's musical talent was evident.  And, again, more evident was his love for music - as his enthusiasm was contagious!  Many compliments were made throughout his set - and after.

And, you can also catch Roy in his primary musicianship job - as a member of party rock band - JakTripper!!  JakTripper, just like Roy, is a band filled with variety - with songs spanning all the decades and genres - I even saw Roy do an early rap song at a recent JakTripper gig....I kid you not!  In JakTripper, Roy is on electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, and vocals.  Of course, an article about JakTripper will be forthcoming later.

So, if you get the chance, check Roy out doing a solo gig or with JakTripper - it's worth it!