THE WONDER BAND to play March 9
The Salem Roadhouse Café presents The Wonder Band – a Tribue to Stevie Wonder’s Music, Saturday, March 9, 2024. The doors open at 7:15 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes show, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and dessert. The venue is located in the basement of Townley Presbyterian Church, 829 Salem Rd, Union, NJ. The Roadhouse operates as a non-profit that raises funds for several carefully chosen local charities.
The Wonder Band is made up of three extremely talented performers who are well known to the Metro NY/NJ area music scene. Ed Alstrom, leader, is the organist for Yankee Stadium, as well as keyboard player for many famous performers such as Bette Midler, Chuck Berry, Leonard Bernstein, Herbie Hancock and others. The list goes on and on.
Accompanying Ed will be guitarist Al Orlo. Al has recorded with the legendary Ben E. King and was his musical director for 25 years. Al also held the #1 chair at Broadway shows, such as Kinky Boots, Carol King Musical, Hairspray abd Smokey Joe’s Café, to name a few.
Bobby Deitch on drums rounds out the trio. Bobby has performed on several recordings such as Richard Sorce’s Latin album “A Place I’ve Never Been” and Richie Hart’s “33 1/3” album.
States Ed Alstrom, “Obviously, Stevie’s music is even more fun to play than it is to listen to. This group does a mix of the hits and some lesser-known things, without the vocals, and it doesn’t hurt the music one bit not to have them, because they’ll be playing in your mind!
Original artwork by local artist James Spath will be on display at the Roadhouse Gallery of Fine Art for all to enjoy before, during and after the show.
As always, the Salem Roadhouse Café is live, intimate, up front, and personal. All ages are welcome.
About Salem Roadhouse Café
It’s not “church music.” It’s music music. Folks who’ve come to the Salem Roadhouse Café know that it’s a clean, safe place for people who enjoy listening to live music — in a world otherwise filled with clubs and bars. The Roadhouse has always offered its stage to local and independent mainstream musicians. Jazz, rock, folk, and other groups have performed. What’s the common thread? They’re all great musicians playing the kind of music people like to hear. There’s no message, just music.
Now in it’s 16th year of operation, the Roadhouse started in 2008 by members of Townley Presbyterian Church with a grant from the Presbytery of Elizabeth. Hey — that’s why we’re located where we are, 829 Salem Rd, Union, NJ. The Roadhouse operates as a non-profit that raises funds for several carefully chosen local charities. That’s its social mission.
But the many musicians who’ve played the Salem Roadhouse Café see it as a solid performance venue. They love it because of its special intimacy and great audiences. They say people here “really listen.” Ask any of the musicians you meet here — they love to play the Roadhouse, and they want to come back often.
The Salem Roadhouse Café has raised funds for many carefully chosen charities. They include: The Presbytery of Elizabeth E-port Center, Center For Hope Hospice, Community Food Bank, Monarch Housing, Angel Paws Animal Rescue, National MS Society, Haiti Disaster Relief, Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief, The Union County YWCA Domestic Violence Program, Making It Possible To End Homelessness, Camp Johnsonburg, The Music Institute, and others. Many thousands of dollars have been raised for these deserving charities.
