Sunshine & Wine: Love Songs

Summary: A three to five piece jazz & soul band, that is excited to present shows that cycle through love songs from the classic eras to the current. Love songs for the romantic, love songs for the community.

Led by vocalist Tai Allen, the team has rocked from Los Angeles to Rotterdam and back home NYC. (Sidebar: The group has rhythm sections in Europe when the main players are unable to make a trip.)

Band: Vocals. Piano. Bass. Drums. Saxophone.

Great conversation about this video and song on IG. A blooper by the bassist, at the start, turned into a fun and energy-filled tune: Senor Blues… This tune is our most requested song. (And, this video is the most watched. Go Figure!)

Fits the them of the song

Music: Senor Blues and its err lead to a perfect story of complicated love. And, this show is about love in all its complexed and complicated and simplistic form.

I am excited to present a set that will fully examine how beautiful the complications are.

A journey using jazz, blues and soul pieces. Classics. Obscure B-Sides. Original tunes. Interesting “mash-ups” that might surprise and delight you.

#SampleSaleMusic continues the tradition of re-interpretation — by further spinning songs into new art and new experiences.

A sensual re-imagining of the classic. Calloway was the template but we tried to give it a bravado and vulnerable approach.

#SampleSaleMusic can also be a party with a band.

The fun journey is co-piloted by a multi-piece band.

We craft shows that execute the musical and cultural legacy of modern music.

We build vibes…

…And original music, too. Like the tune below, Tiger Eye – Dezron Douglas + Tai Allen

Our ability to play MUSIC is our advantage. It is our birthright. Jazz and blues are our foundations. Soul is found in the cells. And, hip-hop is our childhood, this gives us that edge.. We play music out of ove.


Places we have rocked, with love: Brooklyn Museum (First Saturdays) | BAMCafe – Brooklyn | Art of Cool – Durham, NC | Miller Theater – Columbia Univ | New Morning – Paris | Prohibido – Biarritz, FR | Grounds – Rotterdam | The Nash – Arizona | Lincoln Center Atrium – NYC | American Jazz Museum – KC | Charles Wright Museum – Detroit | Apollo Theater – Music Cafe/SoundStage | Clement’s Place – NJ/Rutgers Univ | The Nile River – Springfield, MA | Nublu – NYC | The B-Side – Miami | SoHo House – NYC | Vocab – Indianapolis | Nisa’s Lounge – Lisbon | CMCarts – St. Croix | The Billie Holiday Theatre – Brooklyn and more…

The above… Sarah Vaughn’s Black Coffee over Tribe’s Electric Relaxation drums but using Ronnie Foster’s melody from his version of Mystic Brew

And, we like to educate our people with our workshops: The Sample Sale Workshop is a group conversation of (1) the influences of jazz, soul and classic samples; (2) a dive into the future of the culture — gender, styles, equity, control & MUSIC. No story can be only old tales and foggy memories!

And, (3) we bring to life a story that is local and important to the first fifty years. All are welcome but we wish for options with schools and youth organizations.

– UConn | New Jersey City University | UNC- Chapel Hill | New York City High Schools | NC Climate Conference | Mariners – Detroit | and more

Oh, I am a published, awarded, book having, agent repped poet. Well the poetry comes after the second chorus… #ShamelessPlug


Note: Jazz, according to my momma, is also about moving feet and butts. This leads to a chair dance or a foot-slide across the floor; on the grass; atop the wide stage; gravel for a block party; or, inside a dim lit club.

The song below was fun to create! A “love” song about community.

Livelying UP Lady Day & Coltrane — love my bandmates

The team looks forward to talking to you about the future now and classic today of music.

(e) – tai@vicelounge.com

Bonus…And this one inspired someone to sing with us as the song ended. WINNING!