The Ragtime Relics bring their signature brand of American roots music to Grover’s Mill Coffee House on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. The band, led by Karl Dentino of West Windsor on guitar, harmonica, and vocals; features John Sudia of Hillsborough on bass and vocals and Ray Fyhr of Cranford on violin. They will be joined by Bo Child, a former West Windsor resident, on mandolin.
“Our goal is for people in the audience to have as much fun as we do,” says Dentino. “We strive for songs that have quick tempos, bouncy melodies, and a sense of humor. They are novelty songs from a bygone era. If this was 1920 people would be dancing the Charleston, but we’ll settle for a few chuckles and toe taps.”
The band combines songs, stories, history, and humor in performance, taking listeners on a journey that begins with 1920s vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley and moves through several early-20th century musical forms including country, ragtime, blues, folk, and early jazz.
The evening will be a homecoming for the Ragtime Relics. Dentino credits Franc and Mickey Gambatese, owners of Grover’s Mill Coffee House, with helping to launch the Ragtime Relics. “John Sudia and I were in a band called Blue Heart back in 2009, and we were looking to perform somewhere other than the basement of one of our members’ homes,” says Dentino. “Franc and Mickey had just started featuring live music at their shop, and they were kind enough to give us a Saturday night. We wound up playing there three times in a span of a couple of months because the first show was so popular. Blue Heart was short-lived but it gave me the inspiration to form Ragtime Relics and reach out to John.”
“Our Grover’s Mill Coffee House story isn’t uncommon. Franc and Mickey have been strong advocates of live music ever since they opened their doors,” says Dentino. “They have provided a performance venue for countless area musicians through the years.” They run a weekly open mic night, hosted by musician C.J. Barna, and they feature solo artists and bands on weekends. Even Franc himself has taken to the Grover’s Mill stage with his guitar and harmonica.
Dentino was raised in Camden and began playing guitar when he was nine. His father was a health inspector and his mother was a nurse’s aide. A communications major at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), he owns Dentino Marketing, a direct marketing company, and is the author of “Business Reply: How To Use Direct Marketing Techniques To Get The Job You Want.”
Although he was introduced to the guitar through rock and roll, he became enamored with fingerstyle guitar blues and the music of the 1920s and 1930s. He and his wife, Verna, have lived in West Windsor since 1982. Their children are Luke, 26, and Hannah, 20.
“The other exciting thing about the May 3 show is that we will be joined by our great friend, Bo Child,” Dentino says. A master mandolinist, Child plays in several bands including Brian Yank Jazz Trio, LaMent Brothers Gospel Blues Band at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, and Rock & Roll Shabbat & Purim Band at Congregation Beth Chaim in West Windsor. He is also a founding member of the Maidenhead Mandolin Society of Lawrenceville.
Child, who lived in West Windsor for 25 years before his recent move to Hopewell, still serves on the board of directors for the West Windsor Community Farmers Market. His wife, Karen, owned Village Bakery in Lawrenceville for 10 years. They would often close the bakery early and feature live music in a cozy BYOB setting he called Java & Jazz. “It was enchanting,” says Dentino. “I was fortunate enough to perform there several times.”
“The number one objective for Ray, John, and me is to have fun,” says Dentino. “Bo fits in perfectly because none of us takes ourselves very seriously, but we do take the music seriously. When the four of us get together things really start to cook, and that is as it should be.”
The band has been enjoying repeat performances at several venues, including Laurita Winery in New Egypt, Djeet Restaurant in Shrewsbury, Halo Pub in Princeton and Hamilton, Albert Music Hall in Waretown, Hightstown Harvest Fair, Hunterdon Farmers Market in Flemington, and the West Windsor Farmers Market. Visit www.ragtimerelics.com for information.
“At a time when most people sit at home at night and watch television or escape into Facebook, Franc and Mickey provide a fun, healthy, social alternative. Grover’s Mill Coffee House is the ‘Cheers’ of West Windsor. I am not alone in my gratitude, and I’ve made many great friends because of them.”
— Lynn Miller
Ragtime Relics, Grover’s Mill Coffee House, 335 Princeton Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Saturday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. 609-716-8771. www.groversmillcoffee.com.
