Amendola Vs. Blades Featuring Otis McDonald

Amendola Vs. Blades

If told about a band that consisted of only keyboards and drums, one wouldn’t be faulted for thinking, “Where’s the rest of the group?” But one listen to the funky California-based duo Amendola Vs. Blades and their new album, ‘Everybody Wins’ and all fears will be assuaged. Wil Blades on Hammond organ and clavinet delivers cutting solos and deep bass lines that make for a thick stew of soulful harmony and daring improvisation, while Scott Amendola behind the kit creates beats that are simply unstoppable, simultaneously pushing the duo to heights unknown and sending the listener into a joyful sonic trance. 

The musicians first united in 2006 to perform the Duke Ellington album ‘Far East Suite’ and the ball hasn’t stopped rolling since. And despite a little distance on the horizon—Blades recently relocated to L.A.—there is no end in sight for the duo that sounds like an eight-piece band. The extra-musical bond keeps growing, too.

 “The ‘Vs.’ is about how we mess with each other,” says Amendola. “It’s one fun part of our personal connection. Our friendship. We take the art of what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Gotta have fun, mess with each other . . . and keep improvising!”  

Otis McDonald

From the mind and ears of producer/multi-instrumentalist, Joe Bagale, comes a sound that is fresh but tangibly rooted in nostalgia. The name is Otis McDonald. The mission? Good Music. In 2015, Bagale released 80 tracks for free, under the name Otis McDonald. In 2019 Bagale released a full length album, “People Music,” in collaboration with his YouTube subscribers and took over Studio D at the historic Hyde Street Studios, in San Francisco. Whether it’s performing, writing, producing, or coming up with new ways to engage with his fans, Otis McDonald plans on giving the world a dose of the past while always looking to the future.

Happy Hour 5pm – 6pm. First come, first serve seating. Shows begin at 7pm and 9pm.

Tickets: $30 per show

Students and IMA Members can purchase tickets for $15 in person for the 7pm and 9pm shows and may attend 11pm shows free of charge (with proof of valid ID).