Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene, Nov. 12
Gettin’ Funky with Herbie in Avondale
Longtime Charleston sax player Wilton Elder — a recent participant in Metronome‘s Punch List series — welcomes members of his ensemble Super Deluxe for an “all-Herbie Hancock music program” titled Electric Herbie at the Voodoo Tiki Lounge in West Ashley on Tues. Nov. 13. The set will include classic, funky Hancock material from the ’70s and ’80s.
“For this special event, Super Deluxe will be celebrating one of the true musical geniuses of the 20th century: Herbie Hancock,” Elder says. “We’ll be giving away lots of cool stuff like Super Deluxe T-shirts, signed posters, and vintage Herbie swag at the show.”
The lineup features keyboardist Richard White alongside guitarist Tommy Gielingh, bassist Kenny Shider, and drummer AJ Jenkins on drums. Alex Rosen will handle turntables as he spins a pre-show set and intermission sets; he will also join the band on their rendition of “Rockit.” Show time is 9 p.m. Admission is $3. Visit superdeluxelive.com for more.
Kids Jam on the Beatles at the Jammer
Local music teacher and veteran singer/songwriter/performer Aaron Levy has organized a student-based tribute to the Beatles for this week at the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms. The event is part of Mt. Pleasant-based music school Music Unlimited’s ongoing series of student concerts and special events.
“The early evening program will focus mostly entirely on tunes that the Beatles didn’t ever play live, such as ‘A Day in the Life,’ ‘Hello, Goodbye,’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever,’ and the Abbey Road medley [from side two],” Levy says.
The roster will feature six lead vocalists (two male and four female) ranging in age from 11 to 17. Students will also be playing bass, guitar, piano, and drums. The music starts at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Admission is free. Click here or visit the-windjammer.com for more.
Ross Bogan Keys Up with Mama’s Love
The Athens, Ga.-based Southern-rock/jam band Mama’s Love has survived several serious lineup changes over the last two years, but singer/guitarist Thomas Galloway has solidified things pretty well this year. He most recently enlisted Charleston-based keyboardist Ross Bogan into the band. Bogan is perhaps best known in town for his sophisticated organ work with such bands as Plainfield Project, Long Miles, and Wadata.
Earlier this year, Mama’s Love worked with veteran Georgia studio producer John Keane (R.E.M., Widespread Panic, B-52′s), and they released an album titled The Great Divide. This week, Bogan and Mama’s Love hook with with N.C.-based rock/jam band the Mantras for a show at the Pour House on Thurs. Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. Visit mamaslove.net and charlestonpourhouse.com for more.
Graham Whorley (center) and co.
Whorley Says Band Together
Local guitarist, songwriter, and alto soul man Graham Whorley has organized a full day of live music, Lowcountry fare, comedy, and more for the Band Together to Fight ALS event on Fri. Nov. 17 at the Brick House Kitchen on James Island. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain. It’s a fatal disease with no known cure. Whorley’s family has dealt with ALS, so it’s an issue that’s close to his heart.
The musical lineup for Band Together for ALS will feature Whorley and a slew of local rock, funk, jazz, and Americana acts, including the Ryan Bonner Band, Mark Bryan, Sara Cole and the Hawkes, AcousticMuffin, ADANDE African Drum and Dance Group, Johnny Mac and the BootyRanch, Faces for Radio, Post-Cobra, Don Bailey & Friends, Juke Joint Johnny, Smoky Wiener, Wilton Elder, Kevin Hackler, Johnny Caphcart, and others.
Veteran Charleston stand-up comedian Dave Ugly will emcee the event assistance from funnyman Isaac “Big Ike” Smalls and stand-ups from the Big Ugly Radio Show. The event is sponsored by 105.5 The Bridge with sound by N8 Audio and stage and lighting by Awendaw Green.
The gates open at noon and the event runs until 11 p.m. Admission is $20 (advance). Call (843) 406-4655 or visit grahamwhorley.com and scalsa.org for more info.
Third Annual Charleston Jazz Jam
The Charleston Jazz Club is an organization founded in 2009 by Charleston-based businessman Dennis Fassuliotis, an avid jazz fan. On Sun. Nov. 28, the Jazz Club teams up with Awendaw Green and Steve Simon Presents to hold the third annual Charleston Jazz Jam at the Barn Stage at Awendaw Green (behind the Sewee Outpost). Nicknamed “Jazz on the Green,” the afternoon showcase will feature some of the top jazz talents in town, including the core rhythm section of bassist Jamie Harris, guitarist Joe Wilson, pianist Patience Clements, and drummer Anthony Constantine. In-demand hand percussionist Gino Castillo and Brazilian guitarist Duda Lucena will also be on hand.
“The Charleston Jazz Jam has showcased dozens of the best jazz talents in the area in its last two years in an unscripted, unrehearsed music event,” say festival organizers in a recent release. “Jazz lovers are guaranteed the return of last year’s core rhythm section to anchor the jam, but this year there will be a Latin flair with Gino Castillo and Duda Lucena making their debut appearances.”
Special guest performers include vocalists Starr Acheson and Big George Collier, pianist Joe Clark, saxophonist George Kenney, and guitarist David Archer. Concessions will be available, and attendees may bring their own coolers and chairs. Admission is a $5 donation at the gate. Visit facebook.com/chasjazzclub and awendawgreen.com for more.
The Ferns (photo by Ballard Lesemann)
The Ferns Return with 12-song Album Not So Fast
Classic Charleston power-pop band the Ferns — a busy band on the local scene in the mid ’90s — reconvened in 2010 and began writing and recording new material with lead singer/guitarist Tim Kane, rhythm guitarist Chris Metts, and bassist Richard Hussey at the helm. With guest drummer Tommy Hamer and multi-instrumentalist/producer Josh Kaler (of Slow Runner), they spent the better part of 2011 and 2012 tracking and fine-tuning a new 12-song studio album titled Not So Fast.
Kaler oversaw the sessions at his Hello Telescope facility in downtown Charleston. A sneak preview of the Not So Fast reveals a few familiar jangly guitar tones and bass-driven arrangements. The album hits the street on Nov. 20. The Ferns perform a CD release show at the Tin Roof on Sat. Dec. 8. Visit reverbnation.com/fernsmusic for music and details.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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