Basic Blue at CICS By Rahsaan Clark Morris

Basic Blue at CICS
By Rahsaan Clark Morris

Beginning the new series of monthly Thursday evening shows at Northeastern Illinois University’s Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, the Great Black Music Project presented a CD release set for Blues journeyman guitarist Vince Agwada. The band he presented filled the stage with more styles than just basic blues, playing funk grooves here and rocking R&B grooves there. A definitive nod to Jimi Hendrix was established with Agwada’s use of his amplifier and effects pedals. Most of the tunes were originals by Agwada, presented on his new CD Basic Blue (Rocketnoodle Music). At one point during the evening, the stage was filled with as many as nine musicians, among them violinist and band leader Savoir Faire who has graced the CICS stage himself. There was a distinct camaraderie among the brothers onstage. Standout soloists were Ron Prince who played a mean Telecaster; Michael Jackson adding Booker T & the M.G.’s – like flourishes on tenor saxophone; and Brian Washington on rhythm guitar. Throughout the evening, the rhythm section of drummer James Knowles, rock solid bassist Andre Howard, and keyboardist Dave Mathis handled the stylistic switches from groove to groove seamlessly. A personal favorite was the standard rocker “Goin’ Down” with its room for ample soloing by Price, Jackson, and the leader Agwada. Another highlight of the evening ended up being when the band would just get down and play the real blues with harmonica player Russ Green. Agwada’s group ended up amply covering the blues bases without leaving any stone unturned.
The next show in the series will actually be two evenings celebrating the life and work of musician, composer and playwright Oscar Brown, Jr. The first night, Thursday October 27, the GBMP will screen the film “Music is my Life, Politics My Mistress”. The next night, October 28, will be a performance of his work by daughters Africa and Maggie Brown with their backing band. Oscar Brown’s expansive body of work is still being fully examined and this film helps bring that work more clearly into view