THE NAME DROPPERS / TOM CRIVELLONE – LIVE AT SBC
By Ralph Beauchamp
My wife, Jenn, and I took another stab at a show at the amazing Small Batch Cellars in North Haven, CT. This time it was an effervescent evening of heavenly blues featuring one of our favorite acts, The Name Droppers. Also, on the bill was Tom Crivellone and Friends which was an additional treat.
I have to once again go into how special Small Batch Cellars is. The venue is perfect for enjoying a night of glorious tunes. Small Batch Cellars seems to find the right balance by booking outstanding artists and keeping the vibe laid back and personal. The renovated stage, the lighting and excellent sound all contribute to a worthwhile experience. In addition, the wine is utterly fantastic. I recommend the Teroldego with its zesty fragrance and silky balance.
Opening the show was Tom Crivellone & Friends. Tom Crivellone & Friends started as the host band For the monthly Blues Jam at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport, and as the Chicago Dawgs with harp player Mark Zaretsky from New Haven, represented the State of Connecticut at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Besides Crivellone (Lead Vocals/Guitar), the ensemble was comprised of John DaCruz (Bass) and Tommy Nagy (Drums).
Tom Crivellone’s live performance unfolds like a slow-burning confession, each note bent and coaxed from his guitar with a storyteller’s patience and a preacher’s conviction. Under the low amber lights, he leans into the groove with effortless command, his fingers sliding across the fretboard as if tracing old scars, summoning a tone that is at once gritty and velvet-smooth. His voice is an ideal complement to the music he lets loose. Just the right enough gruff to stand out and enough polish to endear his audience.
Both DaCruz’s bass and Nagy’s percussions were impressive. Their vibrant musicianship took the band to a higher level. Mid-set, Crivellone’s daughter, Jennifer, took the stage and belted out one amazing tune after another. Her vocals were powerful and emotive. Every note felt sublimely lush and exuberant. She captivated the full house with her divine bluesy intonations. Tom Crivellone & Friends are definitely a band to check out wherever they play.
Onto the main attraction. The Name Droppers (playing out as Bobby T and The Name Droppers) are favorites here at AMP. We’ve covered them several times. The one thing about The Name Droppers is they never disappoint. The band comprised of Bobby “T” Torello (Drums/Vocals), Rafe Klein (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Spray (Bass) and Ron Rifkin (Keyboards/Vocals) are all consummate musicians with tons of accolades. On stage, as a backup singer, was the illustrious Simone Brown.
The Name Droppers lit up Small Batch Cellars with a gritty, soul-soaked blues set that felt both intimate and electrifying. From the first bend of the guitar string, their sound rolled through the room like warm Tennessee whiskey. It was smooth, bold, and just a little dangerous. All the singers (practically the entire band take turns on lead vocals) delivered smoky, powerhouse vocals that shifted effortlessly from low, aching verses to roof-raising choruses. Rafe’s guitar answered every lyric with stinging riffs and expressive solos. The rhythm section of Torello and Spray locked in tight, laying down a deep, swinging groove that had boots tapping against the wooden floor. Rifkin’s keys soared to celestial heights.
Bathed in the soft glow of cellar lights and surrounded by rows of aging barrels, the band created an atmosphere that felt personal and alive. Between songs, they joked with the crowd, shared stories behind their originals, and slipped in reimagined blues/rock classics that had longtime fans nodding in appreciation. The acoustics of Small Batch Cellars gave their sound a rich, resonant warmth. It made every note linger just a little longer in the air. By the final encore, the audience was on its feet, cheering for more, reluctant to let the night — and the music — come to an end.
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