Join me on Saturday afternoon at one of the best places in New Jersey to listen to acoustic music – Espresso Joe’s in Keyport, NJ. I play at 4pm, but be sure to get there at least by 3:30pm to hear fellow Toll Collector Jonathan Andrew play, too! The entire day of music runs from Noon-10pm.
This show will benefit the Spondylitis Association of America, which provides research and services to over 2.7 million Americans that suffer from this arthritic condition. In the past, I’ve contributed to the online webathon, but this year it’s going to be a live show! Can’t wait. Hope you can make it too!
PS – You can also download the Compilation Album to help benefit the cause. I have contributed a brand new recording. Check out track #3 on the album!
Saturday, October 15th Josh Bicknell solo acoustic
Banding Together – A Benefit for the Spondylitis Association organized by blowupradio.com Espresso Joe’s
50 West Front Street
Keyport, NJ
Event runs noon-10pm
Josh set: 4pm
September 2016 – It was a month of memorable shows. A night where Jonathan Andrew and I opened up for our own band with solo acoustic sets. A three and a half-hour show at Finnegan’s. And more. Here are some photos to help preserve the memories.
A few beautiful Saturday’s ago, Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors performed at Stevens Institute of Technology. Check out a couple videos from the day, including our covers of “Seven Nation Army” and “Cheap Thrills.”
I have a brand new recording to share with you today! It’s a newly-recorded version of my song “Walking On,” featuring Ty Tuschen on electric guitar. It’s part of Banding Together 2016, a compilation album to benefit the Spondylitis Association Of America. All proceeds will go to fund research and provide programs and services for people suffering from Spondylitis, a genetic rheumatoid arthritic condition that causes inflammation and fusion in the vertebrae of the spine, affecting more than 2.7 million adults in the United States.
This compilation album features 32 tracks of original music from local musicians and was curated by Lazlo at BlowUpRadio.com. Download the compilation album to support the cause today!
This is it. The last chance to see the beautiful display of artwork that makes up ARTxSOUL Vol 3. Join me on Friday night for the last showing of my photography alongside the inspired work of artists Kenneth J. Lucas, John Grayson, Steven Bley, and Nicole Pelle! All artwork will be for sale. Don’t miss your chance to own something unique and original!
Friday, September 23rd ARTxSOUL NJ Vol. 3 Closing Reception Sticks and Stones
142 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, NJ
7pm-10pm RSVP on Facebook >
FREE
Finnegan’s hosts Christina Alessi and the Toll Collectors on Friday, September 23rd! We’ll be playing originals and covers all night as we celebrate Christina’s birthday!
Friday, September 23rd Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors Finnegan’s Pub
734 Willow Ave.
Hoboken, NJ
10pm-1am
FREE
Mark your calendars for this one. (Or better yet, RSVP on Facebook.)
Jonathan Andrew and I will be opening up for our own band! Jonathan will start the night, accompanied by Ty Tuschen. Then I’ll play a set, also accompanied by Ty. Then, Christina will join the stage, I’ll move behind the drum set, and the Toll Collectors will close out the night. All the while, you can check out artists from ARTxSOUL, Vol. 3 on the walls… which includes my photography!
Friday, September 9th Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors with performances by Josh Bicknell and Jonathan Andrew Sticks and Stones
142 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, NJ
8pm-midnight $5 RSVP on Facebook >
What a night! On Saturday, August 6th I was pleased to be part of the opening of ARTxSOUL NJ Vol. 3. Curated by Rich Lopez, there was a DJ, dancing, cocktails, and a mix of photography, paintings, and digital media by talented artists. John Grayson, Nicole, Pelle, Ken Lucas, Steven Bley, and I have taken over the walls of Sticks & Stones, just below Artisan Kitchen in Hawthorne, NJ. Our art will be hanging through Friday, September 23rd.
I was proud to have sold 12 of my photos that night! I’ve reprinted and reframed them and my wall is back to looking like it did just as the evening started:
Here are some other photos from the evening. What a fantastic event!
I remember the night I learned it all was happening.
I was riding an Uber from Hoboken back into the city. I had just played a solo acoustic show at Northern Soul. It was the day we learned of Prince’s passing. I was sharing the Uber with Jaime de Jesus, mastermind of ALEO Productions and also the man who not only booked me for the night but also ran the soundboard.
He said, “Hey man, I’m putting together a tribute for David Bowie. It’s going to be on the waterfront. We’ll have the Manhattan skyline in the background. The sun will be going down. It’s going to be extraordinary. You should be part of it.”
How couldn’t I?
“Oh… And instead of doing the thing where I have a core backing band and then swap out the singers, I’m going to open it up. I want to feature everyone… the full breadth of this music community.”
It was then that I knew this man had to be insane. Not only is he trying to put together a tribute to a brilliant and musically-challenging artist, but he’s also trying to organize the entire music community? Just thinking about getting a rehearsal scheduled made my head spin, let alone how we were going to orchestrate the changes during the performance. Each drummer will have to use the same exact setup… there’s no time to make adjustments when we would be constantly swapping!
But wow, did it happen. The community pulled together and more than 35 musicians paid tribute to the music of David Bowie in front of the most beautiful skyline there is. It was an amazing display of community, artistry, and camaraderie. I felt proud to be part of something so special.
Here is the final song of the evening, “Young Americans,” where the role of backing vocals was assigned to EVERYONE. So here we are. Everyone involved in the performance on stage at once. Enjoying the moment.
