Exposure Seekers Turn Out for StreetLife Auditions at Basie

In the hallway atop the tall steps to the administrative offices of the Count Basie Theater, performers gathered Tuesday evening, guitars strung on their shoulders, bongos resting between their knees, all waiting for their shot.

Leaning on each other, sitting down against the walls, most of them waited for more than an hour for their three-minute opportunity. Here, they’d need to impress a handful of judges to be considered for placement on a roster of Red Bank summer street performers.

As part of Red Bank RiverCenter’s StreetLife series – a summer concert series that features musicians and performing artists throughout downtown – performers of all varieties were invited to attend open auditions at the Monmouth Street theater for a shot at a modest paying gig, and, perhaps more importantly, exposure.

The high school trio of Luke Popielski, 17, Jack Drummond, 18, and Greg Canal, 18, all seniors at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, lugged their gear down the steps from their audition. They won’t know if they’ve been chosen until RiverCenter sends notice, but this is one of many first steps from getting out of the basement where they practice, to playing live and for actual people.

The collective calls itself Elefunk.

“We play jazz music, we think playing jazz is unique for our age bracket, and we want to share our passion,” Popielski said. “We feel like we can really put our feeling into it.

“Just getting out of the basement and onto the street would be something else. Jazz is definitely a more mature genre of music, and you need to develop it by playing in front of people.”

Among the gathered performers were primarily musicians, lots of duos, some solo acts, and other ensembles like Elefunk’s.

RiverCenter Executive Director Nancy Adams said the StreetLife series runs every Saturday from June to August. Separate acts play in five different locations throughout the downtown – two on Broad Street, one on White Street, and another two on Monmouth, one by the Dublin House and the other at the train station.

The number of performers who line up to audition each year is evidence of the popularity of the series. They’ve done it for a decade. And, once you’re in, you’re golden. Acts chosen to perform can sign up for the series in following years without having to audition again.

The gig pays, but Adams thinks the draw is bigger than that.

“It doesn’t pay a lot. It pays a little bit, but it’s mostly for exposure for the artists,” she said, referencing a past StreetLife act, Sibling Rivalry, a teen brother and sister singing duo from Howell that has found some success.

For some, this is a first shot. For others, it’s a way to build on the momentum of recent success. Some, like Elefunk, are looking for a chance, some, like Irish-music duo Beannacht, are looking for the next thing.

Beannacht, which is the uncle and niece combo of Tom Johnston, of Readington, and Deirdra Forrest, of Monroe Township, were recently named the Best New Act at the Jersey Acoustic Music Awards in Asbury Park.

“We play a lot if Monmouth, Middlesex Counties,” Johnston said. “We got the flier on this a little while ago and we’re always looking for somewhere to play.”

It’s been 15 months since they started playing in public. Their first gig was an open mic night at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. If you’re looking for a trial by fire, that’s it, Forrest said. It was nerve-wracking to start, but since then they’ve almost become seasoned pros at this thing.

“I’m more excited than anything now,” Forrest said of the prospect of auditioning Tuesday.

Nick Konopka of Ocean Township and Zack Loria of Eatontown play a combination of classic blues-rock, as well as original compositions. They, like all of the other performers waiting for their turn, see this as an opportunity, a shot, maybe, at something bigger. 

“It’s almost more pure if you think about it,” Loria said. “You’re not trying to bring people in. And, instead of people going out, looking for entertainment, sometimes it’s better if they just find you, organically.

“That’s worth more than money. That’s the only way to get your name out.”