The Rev. Al Green sounds as if he?s anticipating a party with friends rather than another night at work when he discusses his upcoming performance at PAETEC Jazz Festival in Baltimore.
But after more than three decades in the music business winning more awards and acclaim than most musicians can imagine, it?s clear this jazz great still loves performing.
“You can expect Al to rock the house,” Green said. “That?s why I?m on tour with BBKing and Little Richard. You tell those people in Baltimore this is gonna be food for the soul.”
Indeed, the festival?s headliners make up not only a classic lineup, but one that might not be possible several years from now when you consider that BB King is 82, Little Richard is 74 and Al Green is 61. It?s fitting that these elder statesmen of jazz, all involved in the ministry, are headlining a festival that showcases various forms of jazz, including some of the genre?s breakout performers.
One such group is Soulive, now signed with the legendary Stax label. Not that its members are new to music. Not only have they collaborated with luminaries including Chaka Khan and Ivan Neville, but they?ve worked in various musical capacities with Justin Timberlake, Dave Matthews and 50 Cent.
Soulive mixes jazz with hip-hop to make the music very danceable, guitarist Eric Krasnow said. The music has gained the band a large international following and plenty of press kudos.
“Our vision is pretty abstract. We never want to put boundaries on what we do,” Krasnow said. “The mission for us is to have fun with our music. We try to spread that feeling.”
No doubt, that would be music to Green?s ears, who laments some of today?s music as lacking the meat of classic jazz, blues and R&B.
“A lot of these up and coming singers are missing the soul,” Green said. “The soul needs to be fed, needs to be full. After this [show], the souls will be busting at the seams.”
