Gary Weiner and Larry Heiman – 50 years of Friends and Folk

Gary Weiner is older than Larry Heiman – but not by much. He’s a lawyer, a mediator, a photographer who sings, plays guitar, fumbles around on keyboards and mostly interprets music written by people who are now older than him or dead. In 2019 Gary fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed an album he called “Released at Last.” The music was recorded and produced at Banquet Recording in Sebastopol with Warren Kahn. Some of the artists on the album include Nina Gerber, Nate Dittle, Frank Martin, Kai Eckhardt, Tom Shader, Julie Lester, Shannon Jones, Ricky Lomelli, Travis Hendrix, Libby Cuffie and Kalei Yamanoah. Oh, and Ben Weiner!

Someone wrote this: “Gary reinterprets classic songs, giving them immediacy and new vitality. He describes this album as a “coming of (old) age story,” in which the songs progress from prophetic finger pointing towards an experience of release, and a settling in to one’s own life. The album shows influences that range from doo wop to jazz and gospel, with a particular nod to Johnny Hartman, Tom Waits, Bobby Darin, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen.” This show will be, for Gary, a return to his roots as a folk singer with a guitar on his knee. And, a “musical family reunion” with his dear pal, Larry Heiman.

Larry Hamilton-Heiman: Began playing nightly at the Painted House in Santa Rosa in 1973 – for tips and Welsh Rarebit. In that same year, met and fused voices, hearts and destinies with Michaela Hamilton. Together they played a blend of folk, country, originals, and “wild women” blues from San Diego to Fairbanks, plus a year touring clubs in Germany and metro stations in Paris. Their 43-year marriage ended with Michaela’s passing last year. This evening is my tribute to her, our decades-long friendship with Gary, and the adventures we shared with other players gone too soon.