NORWICH – Billboard Magazine calls it a “world-beating blend of southern rock, blues and Florida swamp soul,” while the New York Times describes it as “a balance of wildness and cool.” According to Eric Larsen of the Chenango Blues Association, its the strongest performer the group has ever brought to its Free Summer Concert Series.
From 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in West Park, music lovers across the county will have an opportunity to make up their own mind, as J.J. Grey & Mofro take to the stage for a set of down-home, foot-stomping soul, funk and blues.
Featuring Grey on vocals, guitar, harmonica and electric piano, the band consists of an all-star cast of musicians, including guitarist Andrew Trube, Art Edmaiston on tenor and baritone saxophone, Dennis Marion on trumpet, drummer Anthony Cole, Anthony Farrell on Hammond organ and piano and Todd Smallie – of Derek Trucks Band fame – on bass guitar. It’s a line-up that’s sure to please even the toughest music critic, said Larsen. Even better, he added, it’s free.
“We were really excited to be able to get him and it wasn’t easy,” stated Larsen. “This is not the kind of artist you would typically see at this kind of venue.”
Larsen first heard of the band – through word-of-mouth – from a number of friends whose musical opinion he respects, he said. When he and his wife finally had a chance to catch the group, they were prepared to stick around for the first set. Hours later, the Larsens were still there.
“It was such a fantastic show ... we were there until the last note was struck,” added Larsen. “We made up our minds on the spot to get him and I’m guessing we’ll have a great turnout. This is the biggest act we’ve ever put on the stage for free in the park.”
Grey first burst onto the scene in 2001 with the release of his debut album Blackwater – followed by the Lochloosa CD in 2004 – building his following one performance at a time. Since then, both discs have been reissued by the legendary Alligator Records, and Grey has released a string of successful studio albums for the label including Country Ghetto (2007), Orange Blossoms (2008), The Choice Cuts (2009) and his most recent, Georgia Warhorse (2010).
Each album – and every performance – is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the music he grew up listening to in Jacksonville, Florida, inspired by the likes of Otis Redding, Toots Hibbert (who joins Grey for one track on his latest release), Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway and Jimmy Reed, among others.
