Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene
JAC’s Jazz Series Returns to Figaro Hall This Week
The Jazz Artists of Charleston’s sixth annual Jazz Series kicks off this week with two sets by local trumpeter Kevin Hackler and his quintet. The series returns to Father Figaro Hall, a second-floor venue located at 493 King Street (between Radcliffe and Morris streets). The roster features a variety of local and visiting musicians handling different types of jazz, funk, Latin, and fusion styles.
On Thurs. May 23, Hackler (pictured above) and his band will run through the music of Miles Davis’ landmark jazz album ‘Round About Midnight in its entirety. Each Jazz Series night will feature two separate shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wine and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets are available for $20 for each show. Here’s the entire JAC Jazz Series Schedule:
May 23 – Kevin Hackler Quintet — ‘Round About Midnight
May 24 – The New South Jazzmen — Dixieland: A Southern Tradition
May 25 – Lee Barbour — Post-Cobra
May 26 – Leah Suárez & Duda Lucena — Mas Que Nada
May 29 – Super Deluxe — Electric Herbie
May 30 – Cameron Handel — The Happy Horns of Clark Terry
June 1 – Jamie Slater Trio (featuring John Cobb) — Jazz Moods
June 2 – Charlton Singleton Quintet — Contemporary Flow
June 4 – Mark Sterbank & Robert Lewis — Tenor Madness
June 5 – Charleston Latin Jazz Collective — ¡Bailamos!
June 6 – Vintage Voices (featuring The Rudy Waltz) — Over the Rainbow: A Tribute to Judy Garland
June 7 – Michael Bellar & the AS-IS Ensemble — An Evening with Michael Bellar & the AS-IS Ensemble
Visit jazzartistsofcharleston.org for more.
Brave Baby (photo by Ballard Lesemann)
Básico and Brave Baby to Feed Your Stomach and Soul at King Dusko
The recently opened and up-and-coming coffee house, beer garden, music venue, and art gallery King Dusko (located at at 541 King Street) has certainly been making a name for itself lately, hosting BYOV (the “V” is for vinyl) nights, songwriter evenings, clothing swaps, backyard dance parties, and an all-day art opening — and now they can add restaurant sneak peek to the list.
On Sat. May 25 at 4 p.m., chefs Leila Schardt and Tito Marino of the soon-to-be opened Básico will be offering an all-you-can-eat spread for a mere $15, consisting of a whole pig roast, charcuterie, cheese platter, street corn, and more. Básico, the adjoining restaurant to the exclusive and much-awaited Mixson Bath and Racquet Club, bills itself as a poolside taqueria, relying on fresh ingredients and quality tequila cocktails. To sweeten the deal, local indie-pop favorites Brave Baby (of the Hearts & Plugs label) will be taking over entertainment duties during the smorgasbord.
See how much delicious pork you can shove into your face while attempting to sing along to “Lakeside Trust.” We dare you. Check out facebook.com/KingDusko and basicombrc.com for more info.
Jason Aldean and his band at the Windjammer, 2013 (photo by Skip deBeatte)
Jason Aldean Hits the Jammer with Live Bait
In town on May 17 for a big concert at the North Charleston Coliseum, modern country star Jason Aldean and his full band made a surprise appearance at the Windjammer during local rock/pop band Live Bait’s reunion show. Aldean and his group — Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Rich Redmond, Mike Frey, and Jay Jackson — had been on the road all spring behind a new album called Night Train, featuring the single, “1994” (a tribute to country songwriter Joe Diffie).
A Lowcountry native, Jackson handled pedal steel as an original member of Live Bait in the late 1990s alongside singer/guitarist David Dunning, percussionist/vocalist Bruce Patrick, bassist John Krucke, and drummer Scott Price. Jackson played during half the set at the Jammer before welcoming his current bandmates onto the stage for a quick three-song jam, including a heavy-handed rendition of John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses.”
Check out jasonaldean.com and the-windjammer.com for more.
Elise Testone and friends, 2013 (photo by Ballard Lesemann)
It’s Always Sunny in Charleston with Elise Testone and Friends
Last week, local songstress and American Idol alumni Elise Testone launched her series of weekly video blogs entitled, “The Sunroom Sessions,” in which she invites a Charleston musician to join her for a laid-back interview and mini-jam session. Her first guest was Lowcountry guitarist Wallace Mullinax (The Dead 27s, the Freeloaders), a longtime friend, collaborator, and bandmate of Testone’s.
You may recall that last year, Testone pulled some strings while on AI, convincing producers to allow Mullinax to share the stage with her during her sultry smooth version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Bold As Love.” In the video, Testone plays a casual host of sorts, interviewing Mullinax in a comfy corner of a home studio, before the two launch into versions of “Sometimes Salvation” by the Black Crowes and “Angel” by Hendrix. Completely raw and comfortably casual, your heart can’t help but be warmed by watching these two celebrate their mutual respect and camaraderie in conversation and in music.
There’s little doubt that Mullinax will also be in attendance and lending his capable hands for Testone’s Pour House gig this Sat. May 25. Local singer/guitarist Lindsay Holler and keyboardist Sam Sfirri are slated to open up, and a bevy of local musicians are expected to take the stage in support of Testone’s pipes and prowess. Doors are at 9 p.m., and the show is at 10 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit elisetestone.com and charlestonpourhouse.com for details.
Laura Jane Vincent (provided)
Laura Jane Has a New Album
Indie/Americana singer/songwriter Laura Jane Vincent returns to her old hometown of Charleston for a CD release show at the Tin Roof on Sat. May 25. Vincent established herself as a folkie/popster in the Lowcountry scene in the late 2000s before heading up to Greensboro, N.C., and forming a duo with drummer Dave Tippetts. Her new album is titled Cover With the Moon. She’ll strum and croon through a set of originals at 10 p.m., opening for Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band (it’s also Megan Jean’s birthday, by the way). Admission is a cool five bucks. Check facebook.com/LauraJaneVincent for more.
Livy Conner Has New Stuff, Too
Local singer/songwriter and string player Olivia “Livy” Conner recently assembled a new solo debut titled Mind of Your Own. Conner was recently a member of Americana combo the Brillers, and she currently performs with local folk/Celtic-rock band Moonlight Ale.
Conner enlisted a cool team of local musicians to help track her new originals, including Will McKay, Brad Edwardson, Kevin Hackler, Lonnie Root, Lindsay Holler, Charlie Thompson, Bandi Tomaschek, Bob Culver, Danielle Hershon, and Billy Lempesis. “It was a completely homegrown project with a few friends getting together to see what kind of album they could make,” she says. “And I couldn’t be happier with the album, the fun, and the friendship that came out of it all.”
Conner will welcome a group of guests on stage for a CD release show at Gage Hall (4 Archdale Street) at 8 p.m. on Sat. June 15. Visit reverbnation.com/oliviaconner for more details.
Southern Femisphere (provided)
Southern Femisphere Readies New Release
Local indie-rock combo Southern Femisphere will celebrate the release of a new studio album titled Houses with a free show at the Tattooed Moose on Tues. June 11. Local musician and engineer Harper Marchman-Jones (of Urban Praise Band, Clint4) produced the new collection. Columbia-based indie label Fork and Spoon is handling the manufacturing and distribution.
“We are overjoyed that this album is being brought into existence by Fork and Spoon Records so we can share it with the world and, most importantly, our extraordinary South Carolina family,” reads a recent announcement from the band. Also on the bill are Those Lavender Whales and Mrs. Mars. Check out southernfemisphere.bandcamp.com and facebook.com/SouthernFemisphere for info and audio.
The Bushels (provided)
Bluegrass in Full Force at the Music Hall
Awendaw Green exec Eddie White and his team have stayed busy all spring booking and organizing a variety of weekly Barn Jam shows and special events (including the NAC Wins: A Celebration of Life showcase at the barn stage on Sun. May 26). They recently issued a full schedule of bluegrass and folk concerts set to take place at the Charleston Music Hall.
Billed as Grass in the Hall, the series started up on March 1 with a three-band bill featuring North Carolina’s Town Mountain, Kentucky-based ensemble Cumberland River, and Tennessee-based acoustic trio Barefoot Movement. Grass in the Hall will continue as a monthly series through the summer and into the fall.
On Fri. June 7. look for local quartet the Bushels, Columbia-based quintet Black Iron Gathering, and Siler City, N.C.-based combo Nu-Blu. Upcoming events include an impressive mix of up-and-comers and well-established acts. Underhill Rose, the Barefoot Movement, and Flatt City are on for July 12. The Steep Canyon Rangers, Shannon Whitworth, and guests will perform on August 22. The South Carolina Broadcasters (now based in N.C.), Angel Snow, and Mandolin Orange are solid for Sept. 13. The Grascals, Cranford and Sons, and special guests will play on Oct. 11.
Visit awendawgreen.com and charlestonmusichall.com for more.
David Sedaris (provided)
Tickets are on Sale for Sedaris
Author, essayist, and humorist David Sedaris — a regular on public radio’s This American Life — is solid for an intimate evening at the Charleston Music Hall on Oct. 23 in support of his latest collection of essays, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls. Tickets just went on sale this week for $40 and $50 (plus fees). This will for sure sell out, so grab your tickets while you can. Visit facebook.com/davidsedaris and charlestonmusichall.com for more.
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