House Blend Band opens 2024 2nd Avenue concert series

Michael Tomich and Patty Machen were busy most of Saturday, May 18, setting up the stage and sound system for the opening night of the House Blend Band's 2nd Avenue summer concert series that evening.

Although a brief windstorm with a few raindrops threatened to delay the start of the popular concert series at 6 p.m., the storm clouds quickly moved through and the show went on.

Tomich and Machen, who own The Old Oak Coffeehouse, organize the House Blend Band for the free summer concerts, with Tomich primarily on keyboards and vocals, and Machen primarily on violin, with an occasional shift to conga drums or other percussion. The 7-member band played a wide variety of popular tunes, ranging from "The Girl From Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto to "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos, and from Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" to "Make Me Smile" by Chicago, with many other tunes in between.

The crowd filled the street and sidewalk on 2nd Avenue between Franklin Street and Murray Street, with several members moving to the dance floor. The 1914 House patio was filled, patrons enjoyed drinks to-go from The Wheel House, pork chops from La Musette food truck, and The Old Oak Coffeehouse's famous spaghetti and meatballs.

The lineup included Paris Tomich on lead vocals, Andrew Bunin on bass and vocals, Joshua Thomas on drums, Bob Cannistraro on lead guitar and vocals, Greg Worthington on saxophone, and Joe Trabis on trumpet, flute and percussion.