About
Island Time String Band plays music built on the rhythms of Hawaii, Brazil, and the Caribbean infused with jazz. Founded by singer and composer Michael George Gonzalez (ukulele). Featuring Bobby Henrie (jazz guitar) and Steve Imburgia (percussion). With Mitch Klicki or Mike Doyle (upright bass).
Michael is a seasoned musician steeped in roots, jazz, and world music. His sultry voice and expressive playing engage audiences with music that’s dynamic and rich.
A performer since age 9, Michael has spent a lifetime in music. He studied music composition and jazz in college under masters Chuck Israels, Fred Radke, and Hummie Mann. Now with decades of professional experience as a working musician, educator, and producer.
Michael is the co-founder of the annual Geneva Jazz Festival. Founder the Finger Lakes Independent Music Alliance (FLIMA). An host of the FLIMA Beat Radio Hour on 104.1FM WGCC.
Bobby Henrie (from Middlesex,NY) is a musician of exceptional ability and range. A guitarist, singer and multi-instrumentalist, steeped in a wide variety of roots music: Flat-pick guitar, old-time fiddle, bluegrass, cajun, Irish, hillbilly, country, western, rockabilly, rock n’ roll, blues, jump, jazz, swing and beyond.
Bobby’s early interest and passion for jazz came from listening to his parents swing band faves and a friend’s record collection of old music. Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and especially string swing, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grapelli and Charlie Christian. College opened his ears with jazz theory and harmony, developing a love of the “modernists”, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, etc. Bobby has a deep respect for the masters and what it takes to play this music (well). Bobby Has a BFA in Jazz Guitar, { SUNY Geneseo, 1988 }
RECENT PERFORMANCES
Steve Imburgia (IMBRO) is a drummer & percussionist who is currently performing with several bands and musicians in and around the Rochester, New York area.
He plays a wide range of percussion instruments and has a broad knowledge of ethnic music styles. He spent three years collaborating and touring with Sankofa, an African Drum and Dance ensemble. Steve has shared his experience and knowledge doing Arts in Education, Young Audience performances and clinics.
He was most honored to be asked to play drumset at Rochester’s Geva Theatre in the musical production “Famous Orpheus” by Charles F. Gordon (OyamO). This performance was in collaboration with the world renowned Garth Fagan Dance company.
Hailing from Chicago IL Mitch Klicki has been a journeyman bassist and hired gun with an innumerable amount of groups throughout the years. This experience has led him to be well versed in many genres including: Jazz, funk, reggae, blues, Americana and many others. His main calling is within the jazz and funk realm and influences include Paul Jackson, Francis Rocco Prestia and Jaco Pastorious
