B-Side productions presents Sessions II CANCELLED

The Cedar advises that the Sessions II show has been cancelled. Please consult The Cedar Ticket Refund Policy for refund options.

SHOW CANCELLED

Tonight, The Cedar and B-Side Productions fire up a freeform session of funk, soul and acid jazz, featuring the incredible talents of Roy Ayers (Vibes), Melvin Sparks (guitar), Russell Batiste Jr (drums), Joe Krown (B3-piano), and Jim Anton (bass). Sessions are a forum for rare combinations of musicians to collaborate live on stage. True to form, these group improvisations are heavy on irresistible grooves, rich harmonies and strong melodies. With no limits imposed, each of the Sessions promise to be extraordinary, one-of-a-kind events.

Roy Ayers could very well be the best jazz/R&B artist you don’t know. In his 40-plus years as a vibraphonist, he has produced a string of soul and funk classics, like “We Live In Brooklyn Baby” and “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” that has arguably made him the second-most sampled musician in hip-hop, after James Brown. 

Melvin Sparks is the Essential Guitar Player! He’s The Master Of The Groove! The Acid-Jazz Pioneer! The Originator of Soul Jazz, Old School Acid Jazz & BarbecueFunk (FUNKJAZZ) Over the last thirty years he has played with some of Jazz’s greatest musicians: David "Fathead" Newman, Lou Donaldson, Hank Crawford, Reuben Wilson and John Patton (are amongst the many). During the 1970s, Sparks backed up Lou Donaldson on the Funk-Jazz classics "Everything I Play Is Funky" and "Hot Dog".

As a member of one of N’awlins legendary musical families, Russell Batiste Jr. knows his way around a sound stage. He’s played multiple instruments, and has been at the drum kit since the age of four. Even before that, Russell recalls watching his daddy, David Batiste (of the city’s seminal funk band David Batiste and the Gladiators), jam with an endless array of the city’s most talented musicians. Russell joined the Funky Meters in 1989 and has played with a wide variety of performers, including Harry Connick Jr., Champion Jack DuPree, Robbie Robertson, and Maceo Parker.

Joe Krown resides in and is based out of the city of New Orleans. He is a New Orleans styled piano and Hammond B-3 player. He has been nominated twice and won a New Orleans Big Easy Award in the Blues category in April 2001.

Jim Anton is an award winning bassist , composer and educator living in the twin cities. He is currently touring with A&M recording artist Jonny Lang.
Tickets are on sale now from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.

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