The Geneseo Summer Concert Series invited Miller and The Other Sinners to play at Geneseo Village Park on Friday Sept. 13. This series strives to give the community a way to watch live music for free.
Every Friday the Geneseo Summer Concert Series puts together a show sponsored by local community members. This past Friday was the last show of their 11th season.
Many members of the Geneseo community showed up to enjoy the music. The Geneseo Summer Concert Series organization sold pies and other foods to continue this festival series. In the past, these funds went to providing the park with new public bathrooms. A strong presence of cooperation and pride lingered in the air during that final night.
Beloved Summer Concert Series organizer Dick Gallivan is retiring after finishing off the season. Before ending on a terrific note with a stellar group of performers, Gallivan gave a heartfelt speech in which he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the love and spirit from the community,” Gallivan said.
After Gallivan spoke, he introduced Miller and The Other Sinners. This band originated in Buffalo, N.Y. but they travel nationally as a small ensemble of internationally recognized musicians. They are a Southern soul-style band that brings sounds from Memphis, old R&B and the spirit of gospel together in one truly extraordinary experience.
Although they sound like an old-style Southern Rock band, Miller and The Other Sinners have hints of techno in their songs’ undertones. They have a fresh, soothing way of combining the best of jazz, southern rock and swing together in their music. The instruments that the band uses are the saxophone, bass guitar, drums, keyboard and even a harmonica.
Lead singer David Miller has a raspy, soulful and intense voice that really wraps up the band’s music into a perfect medley of sound. The saxophonist brings energy to the noise when he plays with no apprehension. With his instrument, he completely takes over the stage with his animated, passionate solos. A band member even took out a harmonica for one song and provided an enthusiastic, Billy Joel-vibe with his harmonies.
Miller commented on his group’s impressive effort. “Hard work and dedication brought us here,” Miller said. “I’m grateful for our years of practices and performances.”
Undeclared first-year Greta Hermann of the Geneseo Festival Choir enjoyed attending the event. “The band is catchy and upbeat,” Hermann said. “I really loved seeing a soprano sax out there. I played saxophone in high school and have always wanted to try to play a soprano.”
The variety of instruments that Miller and The Other Sinners have to offer keeps the audience entertained. The music is fun, enthusiastic and unique. It’s refreshing to hear Southern soul live, because that style of music is less common around a college campus than pop or rap.
Miller and The Other Sinners offer nostalgia to anyone who enjoys music from the past, but they are also fresh, entertaining and entirely their own. They’re ‘sinners’ and outlaws, which is the heart of Southern-style music. The Geneseo community is fortunate to have had an opportunity to witness Miller and The Other Sinners perform live and looks forward to another Geneseo Summer Concert Series next year.