Store owner keeps beat in prominent blues band Ed Trygar’s Chuck Lambert Band to play in global blues contest BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer South River’s Ed Trygar (second from right) is keeping the beat for the Chuck Lambert Band. The rest of the band (from left) is Gary Funicelli, Vinnie Puryear, Lambert and (at right) Chris DiCicco. The Chuck Lambert Band has got the blues, but it also has reason to cheer, with a recent victory in the 2006 Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation Battle of the Bands. Ed Trygar, a South River resident and hardware store owner, is the drummer for the five-member blues band from central New Jersey. Trygar and the other members were named the “best blues band in New Jersey” during the contest at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park Oct. 28. The foundation is rewarding the band with a trip to Memphis, where it will compete with 160 or more groups from all over the world in the International Blues Competition early February. “It’s a big deal in the blues genre,” Trygar said. The Chuck Lambert Band, which draws on Chicago- and Texas-style blues, includes harmonica player Chris DiCicco, of Colonia; guitarist Gary Funicelli, Aberdeen; bass player Vinnie Puryear, and guitarist and lead vocalist Lambert, both of the Red Bank area. Lambert himself is something of a legend, having performed with John Lee Hooker and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins as part of the backup band, the Tim McCabe Blues Gang. The Chuck Lambert Band has been actively performing in New Jersey for the past decade, at times opening for big name groups such as Little Feat and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Among the many venues and events the band has played are the Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, the Belmar Seafood Festival and the Pine Tavern in Old Bridge. Trygar joined the band in May, and has since played 55 gigs with the group. Before the Chuck Lambert Band, Trygar performed in northern California, working with several blues, country and Top-40 bands. In 1985, Trygar returned to New Jersey, toured with groundbreaking ’60s band The Box Tops, and played with various other musicians. Trygar grew up in South River and graduated from the borough’s high school before joining the Air Force for six years. He returned to New Jersey to run Trygar’s Hardware store with his wife after his parents retired. The Trygar family has operated the Ferry Street business in downtown South River since 1974. The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s Battle of the Bands is for unsigned blues acts, Trygar said, adding that it also has competitions for best self-produced CD and best solo act. If the Chuck Lambert Band wins in Memphis, it will receive $1,500 in prize money and will be booked at festivals across the country, including places like Louisiana, Colorado and Arkansas. “There is a good chance of possibly being on stage with a major act like Joe Bonamassa or Derek Trucks,” Trygar said. Trygar learned the drums from a variety of master teachers, including Jack Weaton, Gallen Lemmen, Don Silva, Joe Morello and Jim Chapin. The latter two musicians are from New York, Trygar said, adding that Morello was the drummer for saxophonist Dave Brubeck. “Drums are my passion,” Trygar said. “I play any kind of music, but I really like this band. The music we are playing now … I really like it.” The Chuck Lambert Band will perform with solo blues artist Frank Fotusky at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Visit chucklambert.com for more information.