Penny Unniversity ~ A Slice of Musical Life

By Lisa Morgan
Penny University according to Wikipedia: A term originating from the 18th-century coffeehouses in London, England. Instead of paying for drinks, people were charged a penny to enter a coffeehouse. Once inside, the patron had access to coffee, the company of others, various discussions, pamphlets, bulletins, newspapers, and the latest news and gossip. Reporters called “runners” went around to the coffeehouses announcing the latest news, perhaps not too unlike what we might hear on the TV or the radio today. This environment attracted an eclectic group of people who met and mingled with each other at these coffeehouses. In a society that placed such a high importance on class and economic status, the coffeehouses were unique because the patrons were people from all levels of society. Anyone who had a penny could come inside. Students from the universities also frequented the coffeehouses, sometimes even spending more time at the shops than at school. Since that time, various coffee shops all over the world have used the name “Penny University”.
Penny Unniversity according to Lisa Morgan at Coachella Valley Weekly: “ABSOLUTE EAR CANDY.” “THE PROVERBIAL BOMB!” I realize as I write, these are less than original or articulate phrases, but they are the ones that pop into my mind as I recall my interview and private concert (don’t hate me ladies) with the boys of Penny Unniversity. This group of musicians, each individually, incredibly gifted on their own, work so fluidly together as they drive rhythms and melodies that are completely unique, familiar, complex and simple, somehow all at the same time. When you close your eyes and listen, you lose track of the fact that there are only four guys playing four instruments as you listen to what sounds like a full latin band, then a large hard driving rock band, then suddenly a jazz ensemble with the sudden fusion of Arabic scales somewhere in the midst of it all.
I have to say, I was a little skeptical in the beginning. I had been hearing people talk about Penny Unniversity for a long time before I ever had the opportunity to hear them for myself. It was clear that they were a group of extremely talented musicians. I just couldn’t really imagine wanting to listen to a band that didn’t have words to their songs. I am a retired, classic rock and country chick singer from Vegas. Music was all about the words for me. My voice was my instrument. What could I possibly relate to in this band?
My love and appreciation began with their impeccable musicianship. As I sat and listened to them play, it was flawless. Just when you started getting comfortable with where the melody and rhythm were going, they’d smoothly make a complicated transition into a different groove and melody altogether taking your ears and emotions along a delightful musical river ride. Utterly professional, they merely looked at each other when they started the song and were immediately in perfect melodic and rhythmic union. Even the endings, never traditional always a surprise, were completely beautiful and clean.
There are no words, but there is definitely a story to every song. For example: Lead guitarist and front man Michael Anthony Gagliardi explains the story behind the song Periwinkle: “It’s a song about being overlooked. The periwinkle isn’t a very popular flower. It’s much undervalued, yet it’s known to cure some forms of diabetes and it’s free.” The music starts, and your own pictures, memories or stories begin to form as it relates to the story and the music provided. Every song has its own story, and many times its own destination. The listener is given little golden nuggets of uncommon, cool knowledge that allows the music to carry them away as they interpret the journey for themselves.
The boys of Penny Unniversity: Michael Anthony Gagliardi, left handed lead guitarist; Ted Alan Walker on bass; Craig Brown on drums and percussionist Rene Almodovar have only been together for the last two years. But combined, there is over 100 years of music between them. As accomplished as they are, they don’t rest on their laurels. They work hard, rehearsing for hours twice a week and constantly writing and producing new music. They are already recording their second album. These artists bleed music and in a period of 90 minutes, they pour out over 40,000 notes.
I closed my eyes and listened. The words, the story, the pictures all just formed and they were all my own. This music has no rules or formula, just music that you can drink in. There is no language barrier, making them a completely global band speaking the one true universal language. They are a band set apart having created their own fusion of style and sound they like to call “transfusion.”
If you haven’t had the opportunity to hear Penny Unniversity perform, do so before that big globe of ours discovers what we locals here in the Coachella Valley are so fortunate to have all to ourselves… for now.
For contact information, to purchase music or promotional items, tour schedules and booking information visit www.pennyunniversity.com and follow them on Facebook.