Local music venue, Pump House Music Works, holds a fundraiser for renovations to their facility. PHOTO CREDIT: The Independent
This past weekend, South Kingstown’s historic Pump House Music Works & Shady Lea Guitar Company, also simply called Pump House, held a fundraiser for renovations to the kitchen and “Green Room” after being damaged by a fire last May.
The nonprofit’s fundraiser lasted from Feb. 10th to the 13th and featured musicians that were organized into genres of folk, reggae, rock, jazz and blues. Pump House Music Works is a cherished location for local music-lovers, including Narragansett residents Josephine Carubia and Vincent Colapietro.
“Here we have local amazing talent ten minutes from our house,” said Carubia. “We’ve gotten to know some of the performers, so it’s a gift. The venue is so beautiful.”
Carubia and Colapietro enjoyed the sounds of jazz from inside Pump House’s performance room adorned with paintings, photography, sculptures and ambient lighting. There is a seating area with a bar on the left side of the building for those wanting a calmer atmosphere.
Originally constructed in 1889, according to Rhode Island’s Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, with an instantly recognizable stone exterior, the Pump House serves as a hub for southern Rhode Island’s local music scene. Local musician Luca Simeone remarked on Pump House’s unique impact.
“In southern Rhode Island, there aren’t music-specific venues,” Simeone said. “The cool jazz you’re going to find is in certain restaurants and it’s great music and a great atmosphere, but those aren’t ‘music clubs’ per se.”
A fire in May of 2022 spread throughout the back “Green Room” of the Pump House, which was used for backline sound equipment. The fire damaged sound equipment and owner Daniel Collins’ personal guitar collection. The fundraiser is aiming to provide funding to renovate and restore the kitchen and Green Room.
Dan Moretti, a world-renowned jazz musician, played at the Pump House on Sunday alongside local and talented musicians Simeone, Steve DeConti, Tish Adams, Jay Azzolina, Dave Zinno, Marty Richards, Joe Parillo, Marty Ballou, Mark Teixeira, Dennis Hughes and Chris Vachon.
Jay Azzolina, a part of Sunday evening’s performance, is known for his work with Grammy-winning group Spyro Gyra among other artists, including Carly Simon, Donna Summer and Herbie Mann.
Friday, Feb. 10, saw performances from folk artists Man & Wife, Obsidian State of Mind, Natalie Blue and Devin Bender. Saturday, Feb. 11, held reggae and rock performances from The Water Project, Swift Undertow and Nepotism.
“It is one of the most unique entertainment facilities that you can find with great music, great drinks, and a great atmosphere,” Simeone said. “So many different genres [of music] end up here.”
Simeone was a part of a performance ensemble on Sunday’s jazz and soul night and performed vocals and trumpet as a part of an hour-long set. Playing with a number of well-known musicians on Sunday was “a little nerve-wracking” at first, but overall a good experience.
Simeone frequents the Pump House as a local resident and enjoys the music scene. He also performs often in different groups such as Smug Honey and Guess Method.
“I think the Pump House is really special in the way that it specializes in music and not food,” Simeone said.
Moretti, an inductee in the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, plays at the Pump House in jazz performances and is known to sell out his shows at Pump House Music Works.
“They’re the kind of musicians who are going to make you feel present and wanted on stage,” Simeone said. “Like you’re adding something to the performance.”
Pump House Music Works currently hosts performances such as Open Mic nights weekly on Wednesday nights and has a full schedule of shows online. There is currently a GoFundMe titled “Pump House Annual Fundraiser” held by Daniel Collins.
“Things happen and things continue because people support them,” Colapietro said. “If we want a local jazz scene, we have to be supportive.”
“We believe in it,” Carubia said.
Chris Vachon and Marty Ballou of Sunday’s lineup will be performing again at Pump House Music Works on Feb. 19th with The Sons of Providence. Steve DeConti will be taking The Steve DeConti Quartet to Pump House on Feb. 24th.
Pump House Music Works’ GoFundMe currently raised $4,540 out of a $15,000 goal.