Elliot Sneider is a pianist, composer, writer, and improviser originally from Syracuse, New York, where he began playing piano at the age of five. After ten years of classical study with pianist Richard Smernoff, Sneider became obsessed with jazz and blues, studying improvisation with Beth Separac and quickly finding his voice as an improviser. Before long, he was performing professionally throughout Central New York as a teenager, including holding down the piano chair with the Sunday Night Road Band, music directing productions for Syracuse's Talent Company, including the SAMMY Award-winning productions of A Chorus Line and The Full Monty, and spending summers performing with the Stan Colella All-Star Band. He also led his own groups, Too Many Cooks and Five Layer Burrito, the latter with singer/guitarist Joe Driscoll. From an early age, Sneider moved comfortably between jazz clubs, theater pits, concert halls, and community arts spaces — a musical openness that continues to shape his work today.

After studying Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music, Sneider went on to earn degrees in composition and electronic music from New York University and Arizona State University, where he completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition. While at NEC, he studied with artists including pianist Paul Bley, whose approach to improvisation deeply influenced Sneider's musical voice and understanding of spontaneity, vulnerability, and listening.

Over the years, Sneider's work has ranged from jazz performance and theater to multimedia composition, songwriting, music technology, and arts leadership. His performing career has included collaborations with Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra, Ryan Hobler's Sunroom, Foly Kolade's Asiko, and a wide range of artists throughout New York State.

His current project, Merciful TRVLR, brings together many of these musical worlds through performances that blend jazz, Americana, improvisation, storytelling, and song. Following the loss of his wife to cancer, Sneider began creating performances centered on grief, resilience, caregiving, memory, and human connection. Combining original music, spoken narrative, and collaborative improvisation, Merciful TRVLR creates intimate listening-room experiences where audiences are invited not simply to observe, but to reflect, connect, and feel less alone.

Elliot visited the Flamingo Lounge on July 20, 2026 to share his music, stories and his personal journey.

This week In the Flamingo Lounge, we are shining a massive spotlight on the incredible sounds, history, and legacy of the Niagara Frontier with Bruce Wojick and Frank Fracassi from the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame.

Founded in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame has been on a dedicated mission to preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage of the greater Niagara Falls region.

Board President, Bruce Wojick, is a 2017 inductee, a mainstay of the WNY scene since 1983, and one of the region's most respected guitarists and songwriters. You know him from iconic bands like God's Children, Klear, The Struggle, Brothers of Invention, and touring nationally with The Strictly Hip.

And alongside him is Vice President, Frank Fracassi, a phenomenal keyboardist who has been fueling the local airwaves since the 60s and 70s with legendary groups like Penelope, and currently with Everyday People and Summer of '69. When he's not behind the keys, he's a major force in the community with the Lewiston Kiwanis and the Lewiston Jazz Fest board.

Frank and Bruce visited the Flamingo Lounge on July 14, 2026.

Based on Nick Veltri's return appearance on In the Flamingo Lounge with Rockabilly Greg (recorded June 23, 2026 and broadcast July 18, 2026).

Nick Veltri: Serving the Song

For more than fifty years, bass player Nick Veltri has stood as one of the most respected, disciplined groove-makers in Western New York. Inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1994, Veltri's reputation isn't built on flash or grandstanding, but on a deep, unshakeable devotion to a single musical truth: the song is king.

Nick's obsession with the instrument started early. As a nine-year-old kid walking to sax lessons at Art Kubera's music store, his eyes would lock onto the shiny new Fender basses hanging on the wall.

The definitive "aha" moment came at the Erie County Fair when he saw a local group called The El Tempos performing in their sharp red blazers. Hearing the way the bass drove the crowd to dance, Nick knew exactly where his future lay. He never picked up a standard guitar; he was meant to play the bass.

While his father bought him an off-brand electric rig around 1963, Nick also pursued formal training on the upright bass under the legendary Ted Mayer of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Mayer's strict focus on bowing, precise finger position, and classical discipline laid a flawless technical foundation that Nick carried with him throughout his entire career.

Returning home from a military stint in the Marines (1969–1971), Nick jumped headfirst into the fertile Buffalo circuit. By 1973, he joined the nationally touring '50s showband Big Wheelie & the Hubcaps, kicking off an era of recording, traveling, and headlining major hometown venues like the historic Melody Fair.

Over the decades, Nick became the go-to session and live player for the region's elite, backing keyboard icon Stan Szelest in Stan & the Ravens, anchoring Billy McEwen & the Soul Invaders, and performing with Barbara St. Clair & the Shadows.

Nick's signature tone relies heavily on a three-bass rotation of reissue Fenders:

· A '58 Reissue Precision Bass: Beloved for its easy playability and classic, round sound.

· A '54 Reissue Precision Bass: A primitive, punchy take on the earliest Fender designs.

· A '62 Reissue Precision Bass: Bringing that classic '60s R&B soul warmth.

His approach is strictly fingers—no picks—keeping him firmly locked into the pocket alongside legendary local drummers and horn sections.

Nick's musical fingerprint is etched onto nearly 100 recording projects—ranging from regional radio jingles (like "Milk for Health") to albums by Terry Buchwald, Doug Yeomans, Bob Faulk, and Pete Howard, as well as Lance Diamond's beloved Christmas record.

He was also famous for a unique, heavily gigged 1959 Fender Precision bass featuring a rosewood fingerboard. Over decades of service, the instrument's failing finish became a canvas, completely covered in signatures of legendary musicians Nick crossed paths with. Featured in 20th Century Guitar magazine in the early 2000s, the historic bass was later displayed at the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Hard Rock Cafe before finding a home with a collector in the Netherlands.

Beyond his legendary stage presence, Veltri has dedicated decades of his life to preservation. Following his 1994 Hall of Fame induction, he stepped into leadership roles, serving as the President of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame starting in 2000, and helping organize historical exhibitions to honor the players who built the "Buffalo Sound."

Whether he's co-writing tracks like "Put Out the Fire" on the Bandstand label, recording live original projects with writers like John Regis, or steering the rhythm section for his beloved bi-annual R&B Soul Revue alongside Sam Guarino, Nick Veltri remains the ultimate professional. To Nick, playing the bass has never been about self-promotion—it's about locking down the pocket and serving the music.

This week marks the seventh session of "Rockabilly 2 Rachmaninoff," our captivating collaborative series that brings you unique insights and stories from different guests associated with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. As a reminder, new episodes in this special series drop every two months on the second Saturday.

In this week's edition, we're spotlighting the Buffalo United Community Choir (BUCC) with guests Karen Saxon and George Brown. Founded in January 2023 by the BPO Diversity Council, BUCC unites the Buffalo-Niagara region through the transformative power of music.

This dynamic, 100+ member choir features voices from over 50 local churches and organizations, truly embodying the spirit and rich diversity of Buffalo. Under the brilliant artistic leadership of Ella E. Robinson, Karen Saxon, and George Brown, BUCC has delivered stirring, soulful performances—collaborating with the BPO at Kleinhans Music Hall and lifting spirits across the community.

The choir proudly lives by its inspiring motto: "We lift our voices in song as ONE community."

I sat down with Karen and George on June 12 at the corporate offices of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for a wonderful, engaging conversation you won't want to miss.

Want to learn more? You can find more information on the BUCC, including a full biography, at BPO.org

This week's episode, was recorded remote from the Onöhsagwë:de' Cultural Center (Seneca Iroquois National Museum) in Salamanca, NY, where we explored Native American music, dance and culture with Alan Dowdy, the museum's Lead Cultural Interpreter.

Alan is a member of the Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan and was born and raised on the Seneca Allegany Territory where he resides with his family. He and his girlfriend have six children who are heavily active in their way of life—singing, dancing, ceremonies, and sports. Alan's two sons play their traditional game of lacrosse, and his daughters play softball. They all hunt, fish, and harvest food from the garden, woods, and river.

This week's edition of the podcast was recorded live from the Town of Tonawanda Public Library (Kenmore Branch) on Wednesday, June 17 to celebrate Kenmore Porchfest. Founder Eric Nagel was there to talk about the incredible grassroots festival that transforms local front porches into vibrant community stages. Since its kickoff in 2021, Porchfest has grown every year, bringing neighbors together for an unforgettable day of music and community spirit.

Joining the fun is special musical guest akloh.! After diving full-time into music in late 2023, akloh. has taken the WNY scene by storm, even taking home Buffalo Spree's 2025 Best Original Music Artist award. We chat about his signature "anthem arena rock" sound, his dynamic acoustic sets, and his brand-new six-piece band, akloh. & co. Plus, we dive into his debut LP anthology (Deluxe Edition) and his latest hit single, "love of the game."

Exploding onto Buffalo's music scene, Samantha Hoy has raised her voice in celebration of the local soul with gritty intoning, raw belting, and a spirited passion for performance.

Samantha is Currently lead vocalist for one of Western New York's newer rock bands, "Bubblegun." Samantha brings a unique and personable energy that she credits to some of her favorite artists: Thom Yorke, Trent Reznor, and Björk.

Come September of 2026, Samantha will be making her theatrical debut by starring in an homage to the one and only, late, great, Janis Joplin. Showcased at the D'Youville Kavinoky Theatre.

Samantha sat down with Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on June 8 to share her stories and an original track from "Bubblegun." Samantha is a star on the rise.

This week marks the debut session of "Favorites," a captivating new series where I step outside the 716 area code to shine a spotlight on my personal favorite artists. These are the trailblazers, icons, and sounds that have shaped my musical DNA.

Blaise Dahl, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and lead vocalist of the Midnight Cowgirls, virtually visited the Flamingo Lounge on Thursday, June 11 to talk about music and the Cowgirls upcoming tour. Blaise also shared an original Cowgirls tune, "Born Ready."

THE MIDNIGHT COWGIRLS are a powerhouse feminine collective poised to revolutionize the music scene with their electrifying blend of country, rock, metal, post-punk, and rockabilly. Their fresh sound defies genre conventions, seamlessly blending twangy guitars with pulsating bass lines and driving rhythms. Conceptualized by songwriter, bassist and fashion designer/stylist Jennie Vee, the band is also led by multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and lead vocalist Blaise Dahl, drummer, vocalist and composer Marlhy Murphy, and guitarist and vocalist Cassidy Fleeman.

The band spent the Summer of 2024 opening for rockabilly legends The Stray Cats during their U.S. tour and quickly gained the attention of Sirius XM Outlaw Country, who have since premiered two of their singles and aired them as the last in-studio live performance of the year. In 2025, the band were invited to open for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jack White, Eagles of Death Metal and most recently performed alongside First Lady of Outlaw Country Nikki Lane at the Patron Desert House Stagecoach party.

Get ready to saddle up and ride into a rockin' musical adventure with The Midnight Cowgirls—this is just the beginning of their unforgettable journey.

This week's guest is an international musician and entertainer whose journey is fueled by passion, creativity, and a mission of female empowerment. Courtney B. Holmes, known to fans worldwide as DrummerGurl and DJ CoCo B., started her musical path singing at four years old and drumming in church at thirteen. Since then, she has brought her immense talent to major venues like the KeyBank Center for the Buffalo Sabres, Bandits, and events associated with the Buffalo Bills. She has also hosted drumming seminars in Belize, Central America, and opened for R&B legends Ginuwine and Jeffrey Osborne.

Courtney visited the Flamingo Lounge on May 27, 2026.

Dee Adams has been playing guitar and singing for over three decades, with twenty of those years spent as a staple in the Buffalo music scene. While solo acoustic is how most folks are used to hearing her lilting, lyrical voice, she shines in a full band, whether it's as a leader or a backing vocalist. With roots firmly set in acoustic folk and pop, with lots of room for growth into the beautiful blooms of country, rock and roll, and jazz, Dee uses her voice as the main storyteller, weaving tales of human nature and imagined timelines.

Dee visited the Flamingo Lounge on May 20, 2026 to share her stories and music.