Hot Pstromi Brightens the Dark of Winter

By Robin Dishman

Yale Strom

SAN DIEGO — Yale Strom and his band Hot Pstromi presented an eclectic musical program titled “Winter Schminter” Thursday evening at the Universalist Unitarian Church in the Hillcrest neighborhood.

In the annual Winter Solstice Concert, the band, consisting of Strom, his wife Elizabeth Schwartz, Fred Benedetti and Joe McNally, combined traditional music, original compositions, and intelligent anecdotes into a completely entertaining concert.

They played music from different genres including pagan, Abrahamic religions and modern Hibernal/ Winter music. Their focus was not hibernating but seeing the light and fire in the darkness of the winter season

The bandmembers’ knowledge about the backgrounds of the music they perform is always presented in an engaging and sometimes funny ways. It’s a treat to hear Hot Pstromi whenever they perform live or on the band’s CDs.

Strom always amazes. He makes his violin sing.

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Dishman is a freelance writer based in San Diego