Hanging Out with Jazz Giants

Budd and I had the incredible good fortune of going to see Dr. Lonnie Smith and his trio last night as part of Duke University's Soul Power program.  Having been a longtime fan and friend of Dr. Lonnie, we were able to get backstage and hang out in the Green Room. 
Budd Wilkins and Dr. Lonnie Smith

Lou Donaldson and me!

Dr. Lonnie Smith, is, of course, my musical idol, as I've indicated in an earlier post.   But along with him, he has played for many, many years with alto sax legend and Badin, NC native Lou Donaldson, and Budd and I had the chance to meet and talk with Mr. Donaldson, as well as tenor sax great David "Fathead" Newman and jazz virtuoso guitarist Peter Bernstein.  We were simply in awe and starstruck the whole time (at least I was).  It's so rare to have access to your favorite musicians, but jazz musicians are so accesible and so kind to their fans. 
Jazz Giant Lou Donaldson warming up before the show

To say the show was magnificent is such an understatement.  The performers had young people dancing in front of the stage, and I nearly gave myself whiplash, I was so excited.  I have to give proper respect to drummer Herlin Riley, who could stand up to the best drummers in jazz, living or dead, and to Peter Bernstein, a quintessential guitarist.  The nearly 3 hour set was soulful, tight and a musical ambrosia for the ears.  

After the show, we were blessed enough by the kind folks at Duke University to go back to the Green Room and hang again with our idols.  I'm posting some photos below.  
Dr. Lonnie Smith and me

Nearly all the way home, I cried tears of joy.  Just to be there, listening to the band banter back and forth, tell old stories, to be able to ask Lou Donaldson, "What made you write Alligator Boogaloo?" while he ate his dinner - it was nothing short of magical.  Mr. Donaldson is a jazz legend who played with everyone from Ellington to Charlie Parker.  He's been around the world and back and he knows where it's at.  He personifies the great things about jazz, especially when he told the audience, "This is your music; American music".  It was a privilege and an honor to meet Mr. Donaldson.

And every time I am lucky enough to be in the presence of Dr. Lonnie Smith ranks with the greatest moments of my life.  Not only is he THE consummate Hammond B3 performer, he is one hell of a nice guy.  And I love him dearly.  His music changed my life in dramatic ways, and for that, I will always be grateful, be a fan and be an evangelist for his music.   All these gentlemen, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, David Fathead Newman, Houston Person, Peter Bernstein and Herlin Riley, are jazz giants, and last night's performance was clearly the best jazz concert I've ever witnessed.  I'm still star-struck today.   I know Budd's going to post about this and will probably write a lot more eloquently than me.  But I'm still star-struck today.

Jazz Guitar Great Peter Bernstein and me 

Jazz Giant David "Fathead" Newman and me 

Budd & Tina Wilkins with Dr. Lonnie Smith 

Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman and Houston Preston 

12M Case - North Carolina's Greatest Rock 'n Roll Band

Let me tell you a little bit about this band Budd and I saw at Ziggy's a few weeks back, called 12M Case.  We didn't know quite what to expect, but they rocked the house and we had a blast!  They're not "everywhere" like some bands I hear about (Donna the Buffalo, anyone?) because the band members are working guys with day jobs in Corporate America. 

Dave Riser (pictured above) - lead vocals/guitar (People Magazine, take note for your next "Sexiest Man Alive" issue)

 K.C. Satchell - lead guitar/vocals

Chip Campbell - drums/vocals

  Frank Petto - keyboards

They opened with the Emerson Lake & Palmer version of "Peter Gunn" (which I'm nuts about) and went right into "Pink Cadillac", and never looked back.  I know Dave personally, but I never knew before this that he had those kind of chops.  The show they played that night at Ziggy's was an all-ages show, and EVERYONE was dancing and having a blast.  There was this kid at the very front, probably all of 15, who nearly gave himself whiplash from his gyrations. 

12M Case plays EVERYTHING - from the 60's to today.  We grooved to songs like "Creep",  "Some Kind of Wonderful", "You Can't Always Get What You Want", "Let the Good Times Roll" and so many more.  There really was something for everyone, and not too many bands can claim that. 

Other bands they cover include Pink Floyd, Grand Funk, Bruce Springsteen, The Cars, Green Day, The Monkees, Incubus, Tonic, REO Speedwagon (they do a KILLER version of "Riding the Storm Out"), The Rolling Stones, Snow Patrol, Plain White T's, The Doors, and My Chemical Romance.

Now here's the surprising part:  Although all the members of the band have been involved in music and bands for 20 to 30 years, they've only been together as a group for about 2 years.  2 years!  12M Case is so good and their set is so tight, you'd think they had been touring around the globe for at least a decade or two.  12M Case provides a lot of audience interaction too; that night, they threw can koozies with their name imprinted on them to the appreciative audience!  Here's a picture of them:

12M Case plays 4 to 5 gigs a year due to the band's various travel schedules and work and personal commitments.  They've played Ziggy's, The Millenium Center, and the Winston-Salem Arts & Music Festival.  They also play private and corporate functions.  If you want a smokin' hot band for your next function or party, this is the one to get.  Their music is eclectic, fun, high energy, and you'll be wildly surprised at the variety of songs they play.