The 3rd Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party will feature free live music by an eclectic array of performers representing “roots music” at its finest. Blues, country, jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass and more—join us from 12:00 noon until 6:00pm on Saturday & Sunday, June 11& 12 in Madison Square Park. Following is the complete music schedule at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party:
Saturday, June 11th
12:00 noon - 12:45pm · Seleno Clarke and his Harlem Groove Band (Jazz/Blues)
Seleno Clarke is a 30-year master of the mighty Hammond B3 organ. His classic blues-based organ trio regularly attracts “name” guest artists like Mark Whitfield, Russell Malone, and George Benson—the producer of Seleno’s acclaimed 1999 album Diversity.
1:15pm - 2:00pm · Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. (Country/Rockabilly)
“Sit & Die” is the little trio with the big hillbilly sound! Michael, Jon and Garth invite you to enjoy their lively, freewheeling set of “ballads, boogies and blues” that bridges the gap between rockabilly and classic country music.
2:30pm - 3:15pm · Chaparral (Texas Swing/Country)
Down in Austin, Chaparral isn’t just a band but a 20-year tradition: an unclassifiable, high-energy Texas blend of swing jazz, shuffle blues, and honky-tonk country that continues to pack ‘em in at clubs and dance halls across the Lone Star State. Chaparral is Jeff Hughes (vocals/guitar), David Murray (lead guitar), Vic Gerard (bass), Lee Potter (drums), and Mike Hardwick (pedal steel guitar).
3:45pm - 4:30pm · Chris Bergson Band (Electric Blues)
Led by its namesake guitarist/vocalist, the Chris Bergson Band digs deep into the Mississippi Delta blues tradition while stretching it into new forms on their new album Another Day. “Whether it’s Ray Charles or The Band or Otis Redding or Grant Green,” says Chris Bergson, “the feeling and big beat of the Delta blues links all the music I love.”
5:00pm - 6:00pm • Fred Wesley's Soul Unlimited Featuring Rodney Jones (Soul/R&B)
Before hip-hop, there was Funk—and the funkiest trombone player/arranger around was (and is) Fred Wesley. He’s a veteran of the greatest James Brown band (1968-1975), a crucial past player in George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic, and the author of a revealing autobiography, Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of A Sideman. This closing set by Fred Wesley’s Soul Unlimited –featuring the gifted guitarist Rodney Jones—is guaranteed to rock the house!
Sunday, June 12th
12:00 noon - 12:45pm • Citigrass (Bluegrass)
Genre-bending songs, jaw-dropping instrumental skills, and ecstatic vocal harmonies combine to make Citigrass the premier New York bluegrass band. Citigrass’ latest CD, Serpent in the Grass, is modern bluegrass at its most urbane, witty, and exciting.
1:15pm - 2:00pm • Jay Collins Band (R&B/Jazz)
Jay Collins has performed and recorded with everyone from jazz masters Andrew Hill and Jacky Terrasson to Willie Nelson and the Allman Brothers Band. Their new album A Poem For Today showcases the unique and eclectic sound of the Jay Collins Band: Jay Collins (lead vocals, tenor & soprano sax, flute), Dred Scott (keyboards), Chris Tarry (bass), Diego Voglino (drums), and Moses Patrou (percussion, vocals).
2:30pm - 3:15pm • Wood Brothers (Blues/Roots-Rock)
The Wood Brothers Band unites bassist Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin & Wood fame) with his guitarist/vocalist sibling Oliver Wood (ex-King Johnson) — and the result is inspired songs on the themes of blues, jazz, funk, and rock.
3:45pm - 4:30pm • Swingadelic (Swing/Jazz/Blues/Latin)
Led by acoustic bassist Dave Post, NYC’s greatest “little big band" serves up a tasty menu of classic swing, straight-ahead jazz, and a taste of Latin music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Jazz Times calls Swingadelic “an excellent party band [that] sounds authentic, as opposed to slick and faux retro.”
5:00pm - 6:00pm • Barbara Lynn (Soul/R&B/Blues)
Barbara Lynn of Beaumont, Texas is not only a superb singer of soul-blues but also a fine electric guitarist who plays left-handed. In 1962, her self-penned ballad “You'll Lose A Good Thing" was a No. 1 R&B and Top Ten Pop smash. Largely retired from public performance in the Seventies and Eighties to raise her family, Barbara Lynn returned to the studio in 1994 to record So Good, the first of three fine “comeback” albums. Her songs have been covered by such notable artists as The Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin. She recently received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
