Soul Love: Legendary Musicians Celebrate David Bowie at the Teragram Ballroom
Billed as a "funky and progressive" celebration of David Bowie's music, Monday night's Afro Bowie show at the Teragram Ballroom was initially planned to coincide with the rock legend's birth and death dates— Jan. 8 and 10, respectively. Sadly, it had to be postponed due to the catastrophic wildfires that tore through Los Angeles neighborhoods in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Rescheduled as a fundraiser for MusiCares and L.A. fire relief, the show, which took place Monday night, was more than worth the wait.The incredible jam-like jubilee was opened by jazz singer Dwight Tribble, who did a unique take on "Nature Boy," the Nat King Cole song that Bowie covered for Moulin Rouge. Then, Rolling Stones longtime backup singer Bernard Fowler took the stage for a rousing rendition of "Moonage Daydream."
Fowler, who spoke to Los Angeles just before the last L.A. Stones show at SoFi, has long been a fan of Bowie and has been a part of many tributes to the icon, including those put together by pianist Mike Garson. His renditions are always faithful, but he also makes the songs his own, showing off his powerful vocal skills and bringing out the grooves in the glam, which was largely what this show was all about. Bowie is known for his androgynous get-ups and other-worldly grandeur, but the essence of his work has always been heavily influenced by Black music. Joined by Living Colour's Corey Glover for the Bowie/Freddie Mercury duet, "Under Pressure," Fowler further bought out the funk and fluidity in the Starman's sound, something he does on stage with Mick Jagger all the time. Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid gave the songs some hefty riffage too, joined by an array of musicians on the crowded stage including Omar Hakim (Weather Report/Miles Davis) on drums and bassist Norwood Fisher (founding member of Fishbone). The latter was a big part of putting the show together.
Other esteemed musicians bringing alchemy to the stage for soulful covers of "Young Americans," "Ziggy Stardust," and "Suffragette City," included drummer Daru Jones (Jack White/Madlib), sax player Azar Lawrence (Miles Davis) and guitarist Kat Deyson (Prince). There were also mesmerizing vocal moments from Kitten Kuroi (currently with Billy Idol) on "I'm Afraid of Americans" and Justin Warfield (She Wants Revenge) on "Putting Out The Fire (Cat People)" and "Ashes to Ashes." Warfield also served as ringleader on stage. The first set of the night ended with an appearance from Moby, who told stories of hanging with the man of the hour before performing the classic "Heroes" and Bowie's version of the Velvet Underground's "White Light/White Heat." He revealed that D.B. gave him special insight into both numbers, too. Bowie told him he was a huge Lou Reed fan and "Heroes" (considered his most beautiful composition) was sonically inspired by Reed and V.U.'s "Waiting For the Man."
Set two opened with Zach Goode (Smashmouth) singing the wistful "Quicksand" and Kuroi doing "Fame" with an interlude that led into a jammin' stomp of P-Funk's "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker" highlighted by an appearance by Funkadelic/Headhunters guitar great Blackbyrd McKnight. Dancing ensued in the crowd and on stage, which continued as McKnight played on, joining the rest of the stellar backing band including keyboardist Eric Mayron, harpist Minta Spenser, drummer Daru Jones, and percussionist Kentyah, who was the promoter of the event. "Modern Love," "Let's Dance," and finally, "Rebel Rebel," closed out the show, with Glover, Warfield and more joining in the body rockin' revelry. More photos from on stage and backstage by Alex Kluft below.
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