Mr. Nice Guy: 2007-11-30 at Rumors Bistro

Long ago, before MiamiBandStuff.com, an acquaintance — singer Grisel Padron — and I were discussing local bands. She raved about her favorite, “Mr. Nice Guy,” that they are awesome individually and as a unit and that they are the ideal of what a band should be. Soon, Ana and I heard Mr. Nice Guy at Big Hoolie's. They blew us away, and this was without a sax player (Ritchie “Pocket Change” Jay moved to Orlando) and without keyboardist John Quinn (who broke a hand - but substitute Noel Cleland of Deck 52 did a very fine job).

Fast forward to Friday, November 30th, 2007 at Rumors Bistro. Keyboardist John Quinn has returned (both hands intact) and new member Lee Gabe is on sax. It's like this: a band half as good would be excellent. Great songs, superb vocals, blazing instrumentals, tight arrangements, and not one music stand. A reading of the member biographies leads one to say, “Duh... but of course!”

Mr. Nice Guy consists of Jimmy Conner on lead vocals, Tom Hall on guitar and vocals, John Quinn on keyboards, Magoo on bass and vocals, Dave Webster on drums, and Lee Gabe on saxophone. The band's website is at http://www.mngband.com. They have a new CD named “Boys Will Be Boys.”

Update 2011-3-16: Jimmy Conner has been replaced by Louisiana native Louis Cheramie on lead vocals. See video (scroll to bottom) shot by The Joint Bar & Grill.

Keyboardist John Quinn. John's playing is awesome... I wouldn't be surprised if he doubles as a concert pianist.
 

Lead guitarist and founding member Tom Hall and saxophonist Lee Gabe. Being musical wizards, their playing swings 100%.
 

Magoo on Fender Jazz bass. I'm a bassist and Magoo's playing humbled me.
 

Drummer and founding member Dave Webster. A polished musician, Dave regaled us with a heart-wrenching solo.

Mr. Nice Guy at The Joint on Dec 2010. Video by The Joint Bar & Grill (www.YouTube.com/user/TheJointBarAndGrill).