The new regular Wednesday gig I started at Dick’ Den is one of the be
st things I’ve done in a long time. It’s given me a chance to start a real band and focus on my original music with a steady weekly gig, something I’ve wanted to do again for ten years. I had been doing a lot of sideman work with the likes of Les Paul, Bill Evans, Dafnis Prieto, and others for the past several years. I feel a sort of internal calling to come into my own as a bandleader now, and the guys I’m working with have proven to me, already, that it’s the right path. The band is downright scary- I’ve decided to call them the “Dangerous Band”.
Bill Evans
They are Cedric Easton on drums, Hamilton Hardin on keys, bass, occasionally saxophone and who knows what else, and the Kenny Davis Jr. on keys. They play with heart and soul. ( All these guys have been playing in church for a long time.) They inspire the hell out of me.
Dafnis Prieto
I realize it’s unrealistic to expect them always to be available for everything. My longtime friend and mentor Bobby Floyd always has a place in the band when he’s not too busy, and so do guitarist Josh Hill and bassist George Delancey. I will make sure the band is stocked with dangerous, passionate players so when someone’s not available, they won’t be missed. But this week, and for many weeks, the core are these three guys- Stop out on Wednesdays.
