Mayor Rahm Emanuel is hosting a Chicago Rockin’ Blues Night in Charlotte tonight, September 5, featuring a performance by the Warren Haynes Band featuring Branford Marsalis, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and others.
The invite-only party starts after the Democratic convention session, kicking off around 10 p.m. In February, Haynes performed at the White House for the Obamas in celebration of the blues, along with Trombone Shorty, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Mick Jagger among others.
The mild-mannered, guitar superhero Haynes (Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band, The Dead) is a longtime friend of the Crescent City. His 2003, post-Jazz Fest Saenger Theatre concert (The Deepest End) — a tribute to the late Gov’t Mule bassist Allen Woody — has since achieved mythic status, and could easily stand one as of the greatest concerts of the 2010s as well as one of the best Jazz Fest late-night shows ever.
Last month OffBeat reviewed Branford Marsalis’ fiery new album Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes. Alongside his equally esteemed brother Wynton, the New Orleans-born saxman rose to prominence in the ‘80s as one of jazz’s “Young Lions.” As his career unfolded, Branford moved beyond the “neo-bop” label, going on to tour with Sting, perform with the Grateful Dead, lead the Tonight Show band, and explore the depths of jazz’s many realms.
Here are a couple videos to get you through the afternoon. First, you’ll see Branford jamming on “I Know You Rider” with Haynes and the Dead. Next, George Porter Jr. leads Haynes and friends (featuring Trombone Shorty and guitarist Jimmy Herring) on “Fire on the Bayou.” Lastly, there’s Branford doing “Shakedown Street” with the Grateful Dead.
