 |
| Jazz & Blues Florida is running two special promotional ticket give-aways for this show! More info at: http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/Promotions |
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in partnership with Flying Saucer Presents, welcomes virtuoso
pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph and The Family Band on Thursday, February
11, 2016.
When Robert Randolph talks about his new
album, Lickety Split, a few words
come up over and over—"joy," "freedom," "energy."
Which is no surprise, really, because those are the same things that
immediately spring into a listener's mind when these 12 tracks from the
virtuoso pedal steel guitarist and his longtime accompanists, The Family Band, explode out of the
speakers. "My thing is really upbeat, up-tempo, with great guitar
riffs," says Randolph, summarizing his musical ambitions, "but also
catchy choruses and lyrics that someday will make this music into classic
tunes."
“Robert Randolph is
an American Original," says Don Was, President of Randolph's new label,
Blue Note Records. "He has mastered what is, arguably, the most complex
instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts
street-corner church and Bonnaroo. This album finally captures the energy and
excitement of his legendary live performances.”
But for Randolph, the
road to Lickety Split—his first
studio recording in three years—wasn't an easy path. Though his distinctive mix
of rock, funk, and rhythm & blues continued to earn a rapturous response
from a fervent, international audience, he felt that he had lost some of the
enthusiasm and intensity that had driven him to make music in the first place.
"We just weren't being creative musically," he says. "Being on
the road 280 days a year, you wind up playing too much and it isn't fun
anymore. Soon, you stop being that concerned about how good you can be, how
important it is to create and write. You kind of lose sight of that, of being
focused on your craft and spending time with your instrument. I've become more
in love with my guitar now, and staying relaxed and practicing and trying to
create different sounds." The new album showcases the unique chemistry of
the Family Band—comprised of the guitarist's actual family members Marcus
Randolph, Danyel Morgan, and Lenesha Randolph, together with guitarist Brett
Haas. The 11 original compositions, plus a stomping cover of "Love
Rollercoaster" by the Ohio Players, were produced by Robert Randolph &
The Family Band, Danyel Morgan, Marcus Randolph, Tommy Sims, Drew Ramsey, and
Shannon Sanders; engineered by the legendary Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led
Zeppelin); and feature special guest appearances from Trombone Shorty and
Carlos Santana.
Robert Randolph and
The Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album Live at the Wetlands in 2002. The band
followed with three studio recordings over the next eight years—Unclassified, Colorblind, and We Walk This Road—which, together with tireless touring and unforgettable
performances at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the New
Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, won them an expanding and passionate fan
base. Randolph's unprecedented prowess on his instrument garnered him a spot on
Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest
Guitarists of All Time" list, and also attracted the attention of such
giants as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, who have collaborated with him on
stage and in the studio.
Most recently,
Randolph has attempted to amplify the tradition from which he came by executive
producing the Robert Randolph Presents
the Slide Brothers album, a recording which features some of the older
"sacred steel" players from the House of God church who inspired him
to pick up an instrument. He is also taking a bold new step by remodeling an
abandoned school building in his hometown of Irvington, New Jersey and opening
the Robert Randolph Music and Arts Program. "There hasn't been any arts in
the schools, period, since I was in high school," he says. "So my
whole motivation changed to a full-on effort to get these kids into music, and
also find out what other passions they have and try to offer that.”
With a new label, a
new dedication to his craft, and a new sense of responsibility in his life
off-stage, it seems like Lickety Split might
also represent the urgency Robert Randolph is bringing to all of his efforts
these days. "I'm still undiscovered, and that's really the best thing
about it," he says. "Now we have the chance to present the music
right, and have the story told right, and for me to be focused on being an
ambassador for inner-city kids and a role model, and also an ambassador for my
instrument and as an artist. As all these things happened, it got fun
again."
Parker Urban Band is one of the regions most organic, soulful and sought after bands in the up rising movement of fantastic talent that stays true to real music. Each member has something to say without expectation, to only let the music breath and to be absorb. The soulful grooves, foot stomping funk and spontaneous improv will be sure to draw you into their delicious vibes. They have performed or shared the stage with many amazing talents such as Zach Deputy, Roosevelt Collier, The Lee Boys, Bobby Lee Rodgers, JJ Grey & Mofro, Natalie Stewart, The Duhks, The Wailers, Damon Fowler, Selwyn Birchwood Band, THE MAIN SQUEEZE, The Heavy Pets, Toubab Krewe and the list really does keep going! Fronted by John Parkerurban on guitar, Juanita Parkerurban and Myrna Lynn Perry Stallworth on vox with killer P.U.B family members Ricky Alessi formerly of Chroma, John Mortensen of Mama BLue, James Elam Holloway, and Chris Poland of Fusebox Funk!
Tickets are be available for purchase at the
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Offices,
ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
1050 A1A North
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
~ ~ ~
Promotional distribution by
(561)313-7432
And, if you like what you see here, please
HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!
Thanks!
Did you know that as Florida
We have the only monthly publication dedicated to previews of upcoming jazz and blues shows in Florida at www.JazzBluesFlorida.com ?
We have the most comprehensive festival page for Florida jazz & blues at www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/Festivals ?
We have the most complete and current listing of Florida
We have the largest email notification system for upcoming jazz and blues events in And, of course, you can LIKE us on FACEBOOK!
*NOTE* The ad below is placed there by Google Adsense. We do not have complete control over what they put there. It is a passive source of income for us that helps us pay the bills. Thank you.
No comments :
Post a Comment