JAN: DEBUTS: THE KNITTING FACTORY (New York City) / FIRE AND WATER (Northampton, MA) / THE IRON HORSE (Northampton, MA)
FEB: HFQ's second CD "I LIKE YOU A LOT" is released nationwide! The ALL MUSIC GUIDE gives it four stars and THE NEW YORKER calls it "An affecting and haunting collection of cunning originals." HFQ celebrates with an extended run at JOE'S PUB and its first NORTHEAST TOUR. DEBUTS: RHINECLIFF HOTEL (Rhinecliff, NY) / SHANGHAI JAZZ (Madison, NJ) / GRAPE STREET PUB (Philadelphia, PA) / KENDALL CAFE (Cambridge, MA)
MAR: HFQ begins a month-long residency at New York City's prestigious THE JAZZ STANDARD. DEBUTS: BLACK BETTY (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) / F-STOP CAFE (Woodstock, NY) / THE BOTTOM LINE *with ODETTA (New York City) / MT.AIRY MUSIC (Croton-on-Hudson, NY)
APR: "WE ARE DESTROYED" has its first public reading as a work-in-progress at JOE'S PUB. The evening features 17 new songs and text by Howard Fishman, performed live by the band and actor Ted DeVirgilis.THE JAZZ STANDARD residency is extended. HFQ plays parties for the star-studded reading series THE MOTH, LINCOLN CENTER'S Young Audiences, and a benefit dinner for YALE CANCER CENTER. DEBUTS: BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY)
MAY: The band celebrates its first anniversary of Thursdays at PETE'S CANDY STORE in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Private concerts include gigs for THE FORD FOUNDATION and THE NATIONAL ARTS CLUB.
JUN: Beginning of summer-long residency at JOE'S PUB, where the band plays a brunch and evening show every Sunday. Private concerts at YALE UNIVERSITY, THE CENTURY (with YO YO MA) and THE FRIAR'S CLUB. DEBUTS: MAKOR (New York City)
JUL: JOE'S PUB residency continues, culminating in another showing of "WE ARE DESTROYED" in an expanded version, performed by the band and including the actors Lethia Nall and Rinne Groff (Elevator Repair Service). HFQ is profiled in NEW YORK MAGAZINE and THE NEW YORK OBSERVER. Howard Fishman is interviewed and profiled on NPR's FRESH AIR with TERRY GROSS, bringing the band nationwide attention and exposure. Sales for "I LIKE YOU A LOT" jump!
AUG: Howard is profiled in ACOUSTIC GUITAR magazine.
SEP: FALL TOUR 2001 includes stops in Philadelphia, Northampton, Boston, Providence, NYC, Pawling, NY; and Arlington, VA DEBUTS: THE MET (Providence, RI) / MIDDLE EAST Downstairs (Cambridge, MA) / THE TOWNE CRIER (Pawling, NY) / THE TIN ANGEL (Philadelphia, PA) / IOTA CLUB (Arlington, VA)
OCT: The band makes live appearances on WBAI-FM and WFMU-FM at The Museum of Television and Radio's annual festival. DEBUTS: TERRA BLUES (New York City) / BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATER (Cumberland, RI) / ARTS AT ST.ANN'S (DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY)
NOV: The band returns to Sorcerer Sound in New York City to begin work on the as-yet-untitled third recording. HFQ's slated Chicago debut at THE STEPPENWOLF THEATER is postponed because of the September 11 attacks. The concert has been rescheduled for May 2002. HOWARD FISHMAN BAND makes its debut (quartet plus drums and a new repertoire of songs) at THE ROXY in BOSTON, MA playing on a bill with TAJ MAHAL and his PHANTOM BLUES BAND.
DEC: HFQ returns to JOE'S PUB for a special one night-only tribute to Lonnie Johnson. HOWARD FISHMAN BAND begins appearing regularly at PETE'S CANDY STORE, experimenting with new songs and sounds. Recording continues and now includes electric guitar, organ and wurlitzer. The group now has two distinct entities as it enters the new year: the QUARTET (originals and standards played acoustically and featuring the band's traditional lineup of guitar, violin, bass and trumpet) and the BAND (originals only, amplified and featuring the quartet plus drums and other instruments). Look for QUARTET or BAND designations on the schedule page to clue you in on what repertoire we'll be playing that night. See you soon!