They call their music Ameri-kinda, as their tunes repeatedly stray over the Americana border, blending country, pop, blues, beatnik jazz, swing, and old hippie influences. Songwriters Henry (piano, accordion, vocals) and Kathleen Salvia (vocals, acoustic guitar) can be seen around the SF Bay Area as a duo, or  frequently as a full troupe of  talent including David Phillips on pedal steel, John Pearson on percussion, Dave Golia on bass,  and Ken Owen on drums. 

FEB & MAR, WHERE THE FLYING SALVIAS ARE 

Hello Sage Heads!

The Flying Salvias hope you are having a lovely MardiGras/Shrove Tuesday today. Lots of people giving up things they love for Lent. But we're not giving up you and we sure hope you won't give us up either!

Tomorrow Henry, Kathleen, David Phillips, and David Golia will be doing a little recording over at Chris Krotky’s Soundwire Studio in Richmond.  One step closer to the next release! Good times coming up this month!

Sun, February 26, 2-5 pm San Gregorio Store With the whole band. The ultimate Sunday drive destination! Stellar music, great drinks, people, and shopping. No cover.

Thurs, March 2, 6-8 pm Roxx on Main, Martinez          Flying Salvias Duo Dinner Show. We’re excited to announce that we’ll be at Roxx on Main every first Thursday though the year, from 6-8 pm. Downtown Martinez is the new North Beach… so much happening there these days. (Not the topless part, but lots of music and fine dining!)  Call 925-370-7699 to make reservations or visit https://www.roxxonmain.com to find out more.  Roxx on Main has been featured on KQED’s “Check Please” and is known for choosing the freshest locally sourced, organic, and sustainable ingredients.  627 Main Street, Martinez.

Come and hear our friends Sunday, March 5, at The Lost Church, Santa Rosa Doors 4 pm, Show 4:45 – 6:45 pm The Sound Field and Maurice Tani will each do a set. Henry will be playing piano with both, and Kathleen is likely to chime in where appropriate, too. It’s a great venue. You’ll be stepping into a strange, warm and wonderful secret, otherworldly space. Find out more: https://thelostchurch.org/santa-rosa/

Sat, Mar 25, 7:30 pm Mildred Owen Concert Hall - Pacifica Center for the Arts. The full Flying Salvias Orkestra in concert. With special guest, our favorite singer-songwriter (besides ourselves, ha ha!) the fantastic, supercalifornigraphic Maurice Tani. 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica. For info and tickets: https://pacificaperformances.org/flying-salvias/ 

Well, that's it for now!  We hope you are all happy, healthy, and that life is treating you right.

Peace and Love,

Kathleen and Henry

 

Flying Salvias January News  

Hello Sageheads!

It's a new year, and though some people consider Dryuary to be the first month of the year, we think you'll agree January this year was not putting up with that nickname. Wetuary, Flooduary, Leakuary, are more like it this year. I'm sure the storms impacted each of us in unique ways, some more positively than others, but hopefully, we can all look forward to seeing sunnier days ahead. 

For Henry and I, Coviduary would also be an apt description of the month so far.  We made it almost 3 years before it finally got us at Christmas. Happily, we are both testing negative now and hope to remain so because we're really looking forward to playing for you soon.

The coming week is supposed to offer some respite from the rain and our entire band hopes to see you at San Gregorio Store on Sunday, January 22, 2 - 5 pm.  Right in the middle of the 49ers playoff game. We promise to update the score periodically. We'll be outdoors. Heaters abound! 

The next week, Friday, January 27, from 7 - 9 pm the Flying Salvias duo will be playing a dinner show at Roxx on Main in Martinez.  It's a really good restaurant.  Tasty food and tasty tunes - win-win!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Peace and Love,

Henry and Kathleen 

DECEMBER IS JINGLE HORSE TIME! 

Sunday, December 11, 2 - 5 pm, join Henry, Kathleen, and a seasonal special line-up including Sean Allen on guitar, Josh Zucker on bass, Ken Owen on drums, and John Pearson on percussion as we take Jingle Horse out of the stable and go for a nice Christmas gallop through San Gregorio.

As usual, no cover, great drinks, fabulous weird shopping, and fine people!

NOVEMBER NOTES 

Today is Election Day. Vote!  It is raining.  Blessed, wet, rain. Yay!  

We were recently in Scotland where there is water practically everywhere.  Guilt free showers and baths. It was nice. Also, beautiful. And now it's over and we're back.  Not to worry!  We have gigs coming up that always make us happy.

This Saturday Nov 12, Henry and Kathleen will join Maurice Tani, David Phillips, Rob McCloskey, and Ken Owen to back up Margaret Belton and open for Emmylou at the annual Bummer's Ball. It's probably the only way we'll ever get to grace a stage at SF Jazz....looking forward to it. Plus it's for a good cause, as it's a fundraiser for Rocket Dog.

Sunday Nov 13, 2 - 5 pm, we'll be at San Gregorio Store.  They built a beer garden behind the store, look for the gate right next to the post office, and come on in!  Kathleen, Henry, David Phillips, David Golia, and Tim Orr will be playing on the Marty Atkinson Memorial Stage.  They have promised heaters will abound.  However, if there is rain, we'll all stay home and hope for better weather on December 11 for our Christmas Show.

Vote vote vote vote vote.  It matters, especially if you want the right to complain about the outcomes!

Peace and love,

Kathleen and Henry

SPEECHLESS OCTOBER 

We have nothing to say this month as we are going to the UK and will return in November.  No, it's not a music tour, but we'll certainly be hearing a lot of it and seeing the sights of the Scottish Highlands.  See you in November!

SEPTEMBER SAGACITY 

Hello SageHeads and BlogSpammers -

I really have nothing very sage to offer today. It's hot. I'm a fog baby.

I wish the Blog Spammers would just plain leave us alone.  What do they hope to gain by sending ridiculous messages that make no sense? Is there something I am missing?  I got excited for a minute because I thought someone was actually reading and commenting on our blog... when I figured out how to drill down to get to the comments I discovered a bunch of gobbledy-gook... lots and lots of it.  Please go away. Thank you.

I can't really complain about anything else, though.  Last week we played at Roxx on Main in Martinez for the first time and had a great time.  I mourn the loss of Armando's, but it seems to have seeded a thriving music scene throughout downtown Martinez.  

Which brings to mind the time Henry and I were taking the train to Reno and it stopped in Martinez... they let everyone off for a few minutes; but I don't know what kind of clock they were using as it seemed more like 1 minute.  Too bad we were 2 minutes away from our car, having walked the length of the train before the "get back on right now" horn blew.  Who knew we could both actually run? Still, the door closed right in our face and the train started to move... then it stopped and they let us on, and made great sport of us later on as we calmed our nerves in the club car.  I think they did it on purpose.

We've resumed recording our next album, which now has a name, "The Human Condition".  I think the songs and the title are a logical follow up to "The Nature of Things".  This week we had the pleasure of working at SoundWire studio with David Phillips as he poured pedal steel fairy dust all over us.   We also both went down to the Groove Room and lent a few notes to Deb Grabien and SoundField's next CD; it's an honor to work with such a talented songwriter, plus the studio had some powerful air conditioning which was most welcome by that little old fog baby, me.

Our next gig is this coming Sunday, September 11.  That horrendous date over twenty years ago still cries out for healing and we will try to bring some with us to San Gregorio Store, 3 to 6 pm.

Peace and Love,

Flying Salvias

 

 

August Observations 

Hey Sageheads!  Happy August.  It is hot here.  We have quite successfully killed our lawn.  

Henry is very busy playing with a lot of great artists like Jenny Kerr, Valerie Jay, Margaret  Belton, Maurice Tani, and a bunch of other people whom I don't know.  

We are back to recording, literally getting "back on track" after Prairie Sun studios had to close their doors just as we were getting started earlier this year.  But we had a great session the other day with the fabulous Glenn Pomianek (aka Glenn Houston) and soon we'll be doing some stuff with David Phillips over at Chris Krotky's SoundWire Studio in Richmond.

We'll be at Roxx on Main in Martinez on Saturday August 27.  First time there, but I hear it's a pretty good time.  

No Covid in our house yet but we remain ever-vigilant.  Peace, love, and good health to you all!
 

Kathleen and Henry

 

No Sky July  

It was difficult for me to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. I'm so angry with the Supreme Court, I could spit. Russia's aggression toward Ukraine is unconscionable. Migrants all over the world desperate for a better life are dying in semi-truck trailers. Then we have the January 6 hearings, and of course, the never ending Pandemic. But I don't want to go into a big rant. I'm too sick at heart to do so, and chances are you may be too. 

Thumper said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" or something like that. Or maybe it was Thumper's mom. I remember seeing Bambi when I was a little kid.  It cost 25 cents to get in, the theatre was packed and I had to sit on a stair in the aisle, which was kind of cool.  "Mother! Motherrrrr!" still echoes in my brain.  This is tangentially related to the wildfire worries of today.  Spinning a bit, are we, self?

Mother Teresa said, 

"People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered: Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and enemies: Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow: Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable: Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight: Build anyway.

People really need your help but they may attack you if you help them: Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you've got and the world will kick you in the teeth: Give the best you've got anyway!"  

Don't we all feel just a little bit better now? Go in peace, my friends!

 

 

 

 

 

FLYING SALVIAS ORKESTRA JUNE 4 

THE FLYING SALVIAS ORKESTRA 

The songs Kathleen & Henry Salvia write will truly soar when the Flying Salvias Orkestra takes wing:

SATURDAY JUNE 4, 7:30 P.M.                                      MILDRED OWEN CONCERT HALL                                        1220 LINDA MAR BLVD. PACIFICA

With lyrics contemplating the mystery of creation, riffing on Shakespeare, visiting a friend in jail, comparing misguided love with chameleon car paint, or swinging from depression and doubt to simple joy; and wrapped in the rhythms of beatnik jazz, swing, rock, country, folk, rhumba, samba, or whatever groove they deem appropriate at the time. This refusal to linger long in any one musical lane also holds true of the cover tune detours The Flying Salvias occasionally take.  This is Ameri-kinda!   

You’re going to want to listen, but you may also find dancing irresistible from time to time.  You will cry, but other times, you will also find it impossible not to laugh. You are also allowed to sing along if it doesn’t bug your neighbor.  Do what makes you happy, and The Flying Salvias will be happy, too! 

“Kathleen’s got a set of pipes that can go from torch to sweet little charmer. Henry’s skill on keys and accordion defines jaw-dropping.”  Jean Bartlett, Pacifica Tribune 

To Henry, Kirk Hammett of Metallica says: "You are seamless. You play clavinet like Stevie Wonder.”  (Disclosure: This means Henry knew the songs they were gonna play.  Also, no clavinet will be present in the Mildred Owen Concert Hall on June 4.) 

Over the years, Houston Jones, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Emmylou Harris, Big Lou’s Dance Party, Peter Rowan, Joe Cocker, Barbara Morrison, Tom Waits, Denny Laine, and Metallica have all had the pleasure of working with one or more members of The Flying Salvias Orkestra. 

The Flying Salvias Orkestra: 

Kathleen Salvia, vocals; Henry Salvia, keyboards, vocals; 

Philbillie, guitar; David Phillips, pedal steel; 

David Golia, bass; Ken Owen, drums; John Pearson, percussion 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Presenter: Pacifica Performances. Location: Mildred Owen Concert Hall, 1220A Linda Mar Blvd. (in the building with the colorful mural) Pacifica, info@pacificaperformances.org  In-person: $23.00 non-members, $18.00 members. Available online www.pacificaperformances.org or at the door. Starting time: 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m. The Pacifica Performances office is not open Friday after 1:00 pm, or at all on Saturday or Sunday to receive calls or emails.

LATEST WRITING - DAD'S OBITUARY 

May writing - RIP, Pops!

 

ROBERT JOSEPH ENRIGHT, our dad, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Petaluma home of his daughter Mary, son-in-law Jack, and granddaughter Elaine, where he had resided for the past 3 years. He had always loved animals. At Mary’s, he had a merry band of dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, horses and cows who were happy to keep him company. 

A San Francisco native, he was born February 5, 1928 to parents Joseph and Margaret Enright. His little brother, Jack Marlowe, came along 3 years later. Their lives on Broad Street would be permanently altered in 1939 when father Joe, employed as a dock checker on the SF Embarcadero, and active in Union politics, was run down (along with co-worker Arthur Keane) by a semi-truck one night.  The driver stopped long enough to “make sure he’d done the job,” and then took off. 

Raised by his mom who would remain single all her days, they went to live for several years with Aunt Vi, Uncle Al Gander, and cousins Maureen and Gael. Dad eventually would commute from Burlingame to Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco, graduating in 1946. 

He enlisted in the National Guard, serving from 1947 to 1953. 

He began working while still in high school and worked hard throughout his life to take care of his family. He was a golf caddy, postal worker, file clerk for the State, and a shipyard worker in South San Francisco. 

Ultimately, he joined the Building & Construction Trades Teamsters Union Local 216 and embarked on a long career as a cement truck driver, working for Bodie, Balboa Building Materials, PCA, Lonestar, and Kaiser. He once confided that there was not a major construction project in downtown San Francisco that did not include one of his cigar butts in its foundation. He briefly tried on a white collar, working for Fireman’s Fund as a Safety Engineer, but the shirt just didn’t fit right, and he went back to truck driving.  He drove a gas truck for Standard Oil while also attending night school at USF studying Accounting, which came in handy, but played second fiddle to the hum of the truck engine. The young family he would eventually have lived through at least one Union strike.  

He was at a YLI dance with his crew of “jolly boys” when he met Cecilia Tollini. They fell in love and he sold his car to buy her an engagement ring. She became his wife in 1949. The Jolly Boys showed up at the Russian River stop on their honeymoon trip, but Cecilia took it in stride. He loved her and was so proud of her intelligence and accomplishments. They would have five children and remain devoted to each other for 68 years until Cee’s death in 2018. The educational and professional success ratio of the kids was pretty good, and Dad was proud of us, but Mom remained the gold standard. 

Bob and Cee took up residence in the Westlake neighborhood of Daly City in August 1951, where they raised their family. They were founding members of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Bob was active with the Westlake Catholic Men, working the bingo games and the annual church festival. Opening and operating “The Kiddie Corner” children’s store in St. Francis Square Shopping Center was “a learning experience”. For years, Bob also tended to the Tollini Apts. on Van Ness Ave., maintaining the property for Cee’s mom and also helping Nonna with her bookkeeping. And he kept on working: he even sold magazines door-to-door after getting home from his day job. In the midst of all, there remained the priority of seeing his kids play sports or perform in recitals.

He was a member of the Olympic Club and the Northern California Golf Assn. 

Once the kids were grown and pretty much taking care of themselves, Bob and Cee began to travel. They enjoyed cruising and traveling the world, sometimes on their own, with family, or with friends Dario and Kay Baciocco, and Doris and John Muilwyk. 

He is survived by children Kathleen (Henry), Jack (Anne), Richard, Robert (Erin), and Mary (Jack); grandchildren Danny, Lisa, Joseph, Michael, Elaine, Robbie, John, and Kate; great grandchildren Michael, Kaitlyn, and Colin; many Enright nieces and nephews; cousin Gael Rodgers and her family; the Windsor Drive Gang; and relatives and friends nearby and as far away as Ireland. 

He was very proud of his Irish lineage, particularly his Great Uncle Jamie Moynihan, Irish freedom fighter during the years of 1916-1923. 

He did love his Manhattans, which he continued to enjoy up until the week of his passing. 

He always said he was going to have “I told you I was sick” inscribed on his tombstone, but we think he’ll forgive us if we don’t actually do that. 

The family thanks Petaluma Hospice and the Lift & Assist Team of the Petaluma Fire Department for their kindness, caring, and support.

Love,

Kathleen

The Nature of Things
by The Flying Salvias
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