For those whose vision of rhythm and blues
is limited to New Orleans funk or classic soul, this summer’s
BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival at MetroTech will be a real eye-opener.
The line-up includes Latin jazz, reggae, folk and fusion performed
by up-and-coming stars and musical legends at lunchtime, on Thursdays
from June 9-Aug. 11.
The series kicks off on June 9 with The Funky Meters, led by
Art Neville. This preeminent funk band of the ’60s and ’70s has
backed such artists as Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, Dr. John,
The Rolling Stones and Patti Labelle; and they have been sampled
by artists such as Heavy D, LL Cool J and Queen Latifah. Their
trademark gritty sound laid the groundwork for much of the hip-hop
music of the ’80s and ’90s.
The Wailers, who initially earned international success backing
reggae icon Bob Marley, will appear at MetroTech on July 14 headed
by Aston "Familyman" Barrett, who told GO Brooklyn
that the name "Wailers" comes from their music "crying
out in the wilderness."
"The lyrics and the music go together," he said. "Reggae
is the universal language that carries the message of roots,
culture and reality. It’s for all ages – past, present and future.
The music has soul. It has funk. It has R&B. It has salsa.
It has samba and authentic sounds from Jamaica, where we listen
to all types of music."
Barrett considers his group both the inspiration and the inheritors
of reggae music.
"I am the one who let the world know about Bob Marley. We
are the role models who inspired other talent to go forward.
We are spreading the word globally. We were destined for this
message," he said exuberantly, singing a few bars over the
phone.
Ann Peebles, whose song "I Can’t Stand the Rain" was
sampled by Missy Elliott in her ’97 hit "The Rain (Supa
Dup Fly)," takes the mic on June 16. A pioneer of Memphis
soul with songs like "(You Keep Me) Hangin’ On," Peebles
returned to her musical roots in the ’90s after a 10-year hiatus,
recording several albums featuring guest artists such as Mavis
Staples and Shirley Brown.
Lalah Hathaway, daughter of Donny Hathaway, will deliver her
sultry, smoky vocals on June 23. In addition to creating her
own style fusing jazz and soul, Hathaway has collaborated with
jazz artists Wayman Tisdale, Gerald Albright and the late Grover
Washington, Jr., and recorded her father’s classic freedom anthem
"Someday We’ll All Be Free" with Take 6.
The legendary Latin pianist Eddie Palmieri comes to MetroTech
on June 30. Mixing salsa with R&B, pop, rock, Spanish vocals
and jazz improvisation, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning Palmieri
has been wowing audiences for 50 years.
Detroit native Amp Fiddler brings his distinctive voice to Downtown
Brooklyn on July 7. A sideman who recorded with Prince, The Brand
New Heavies, Seal and Maxwell, Fiddler released his debut CD
"With Respect" in 1990 and went on to release the CD
"Basementality" and the single "The Love and War."
Last seen locally in BAM’s 2004 Winter Soul concert, Raul Midon,
who has worked with everyone from Chaka Khan to Ricky Martin,
will perform at MetroTech on July 21. Midon will sing his original
songs from his debut album, "State of Mind," which
mix R&B, pop, folk, jazz and Latin.
Heralded as "The Queen of Funk," Sharon Jones has collaborated
with musical legends like the Four Tops, Peaches and Herb and
The Drifters. On July 28 she fronts the funk band The Dap Kings
for an afternoon of funk-soul.
Guitarist, vocalist and composer James Blood Ulmer’s career spans
40 years; he’s been playing the guitar since he was nine. He
has collaborated with many groundbreaking musicians including
Ornette Coleman and Larry Young. On Aug. 4 he will appear at
Metrotech with the three-piece band "Men Versus Machine."
"I really like playing with a band," he told GO Brooklyn.
"I’ve been playing with a band all my life. I thought that’s
what you’re supposed to do."
He will no doubt be playing songs from his latest album – and
first solo effort – "Birthright," but he says, "I
have 40 CDs. I’m sure I’m going to be playing something from
all of them."
Ulmer, who describes himself as "an old-school guy,"
devotes himself completely to his music.
The series winds up on Aug. 11 with a jazz double bill
pianist, composer and singer Eliane Elias and pianist/electric
keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith.
This is BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival’s 11th year of presenting
lunch-time concerts at Metrotech. According to event producer
Danny Kapilian, by the end of this season, over 110 different
artists will have been presented over those years. That’s a lot
of talent to enjoy with your sandwich.
BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival hosts
concerts every Thursday, from June 9-Aug. 11, at Metrotech Commons
at Metrotech Center (at the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle avenues
in Downtown Brooklyn). The concerts take place from noon to 2
pm and are free and open to the public. For more information,
call the Brooklyn Academy of Music at (718) 636-4100 or visit
www.bam.org.
