This week’s band appeared at the Live Music Showcase shoeless, wearing dashikis and adorning anklets. Arriving in a big old van, the band is called Urban Gypsies of Florida, bringing with them a diverse ensemble of instruments – ukulele, double bass, banjo, an acoustic guitar, a set of conga drums, and even a set of chimes.
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Playing bluegrass, the band was a hoot, saying “If you can’t dazzle them with talent, baffle them with buffoonery” telling jokes within their music. The group are actually members of the Gulfport Gecko Marching Band, locally in St. Petersburg, an inclusive band that plays at major events such as the St. Petersburg Pride Parade.
One of their songs had themes of such inclusivity, enlightening us on the “new world” by propounding how people can use any such gender expression they like. As a non-binary person myself, I appreciate the sentiment that they speak about: reminding people to be themselves.
Self described as a fusion group, the band might be more accurately described as within the umbrella genre, Americana, that is, blending elements of folk, country blues, rhythm and blues, rock and bluegrass. Their antics extend from sing alongs to scatting in their wide variety of tunes. Barney Waterbury’s scatting on their songs “Julie” and “Banjo Madness” is so silly that it’s ridiculous, some of that “buffoonery”, no doubt. However this enthusiasm is magnetic; the way that you can tell he’s having fun, you can’t help but smile with him.
The band started with Waterbury and his late wife, Leta Woloshuk in 1997. You can tell just how much his wife means to him as Waterbury leads the band, breaking into tears during his performance of songs they’d written together. Waterbury takes the reigns by singing and playing acoustic, his hoarse voice sounding like a pipe smoker whose got plenty ‘a’ story to tell. And indeed he does.
Starting with seven members, the band has optimized into a smaller group, a three piece band, offering a tight and put-together sound. This is surprising given they’re more of a jam band. The band is made up of Waterbury, Maggie Vocar, and Jolie Annichiarico. Arriving several hours early the group rehearsed here at WMNF to get prepared for their improvisational performance.
Maggie Vocar, who goes by Maggie May, has been jamming with Barney since she was in third grade. Vocar plays banjo and sings harmonies alongside Waterbury. Her harmonies add bits of 60’s psychedelic rock, to their more folk and bluegrass sound.
Recently Jolie Annichiarico has joined the group, accompanying the group as the rhythm section – filling in on the double bass and also conga. She sings harmonies and at times adds ukulele. Annichiarico’s entrance to the band started rough, putting together a demolished double bass which she’d reassembled with the help of Waterbury.
You can find their music on Spotify, a 2011 performance that was recorded live locally at Sweetwater Farm. You can see the Urban Gypsies of Florida next Friday, May 8th at The North End Taphouse & Kitchen in Gulfport from 7-10PM.
Every Friday at 2:06PM EST you can catch the Live Music Showcase on 88.5FM WMNF, Tampa. Tune in to catch the big fish splashing about the Tampa bay area. If you missed this week’s show, we have it available on our Twitch, Facebook and YouTube pages, where you can also attend the live stream weekly.
