When the jazz in Acoustix Restaurant upstairs had come to an end, I walked downstairs into the Alley Bar, where an incredible young soul/funk band was backing up several singers. I was especially impressed with the drummer, whose sense of “pocket” and chops kept the band tight. The headliner proved to be a soul singer named Phillippia (@stayaddicted10), who apparently has a certain degree of fame in the Atlanta market. Originally from Miami, she skillfully blends neo-soul, traditional soul and R & B covers, reggae, and the occasional hip-hop/hardcore reference, as in her single “Addicted to My Grind.” She has a great stage persona and a decent voice, and with such a first-rate band backing her, the night was truly amazing. You can hear some of Phillippia’s music at http://www.reverbnation.com/phillippia, or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/stayaddicted10.
music
Live Jazz at Acoustix, Atlanta GA
Acoustix Jazz Restaurant and Lounge is a fairly-upscale spot on Marietta Street in Atlanta, west of downtown. It features a restaurant with live jazz of a more traditional sort until 11 PM on weekends, and a downstairs basement lounge called the Alley which features more neo-soul, funk and contemporary jazz and which stays open slightly later. Parking can be hard to come by, and seats can fill up quickly, so it’s good to make reservations, or at least arrive early. You can keep up with the live music schedule at http://www.acoustixjazz.com/, or like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/acoustixjazz.
Live Soul at Cafe 290, Atlanta GA
Café 290 advertises itself as a jazz bar, but it’s actually more of a place for R & B and soul. Still, the musicianship is good, the place has a friendly vibe, and it’s usually packed to the rafters. On the Friday night after Thanksgiving, I came through to catch the end of William Green’s set. Keep up with the live music schedule at Café 290 by visiting http://www.cafe290atlanta.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-290/173901131974?sk=info.
Decatur CD: What A Record Store Should Be
For years I somehow missed @DecaturCD. I thought of it as an indie rock store, and I wasn’t wrong, but I was wrong. They have a great selection of indie rock, but that’s only the beginning. Add to that the best selection of jazz discs in Atlanta, and decent sections for soul, blues, Louisiana music, folk and reggae. Then imagine a decent selection of vinyl. Fans of the super-cool reissue label Numero will be pleased to find a complete stock of Numero releases in a special section in the store. Of course if you don’t live in Atlanta or get there frequently, you may feel disappointed, but don’t, because Decatur CD cheerfully accepts orders over the phone, and ships anywhere in the world. This is truthfully one of the best record stores in the South, if not the whole country. Visit them at http://decaturcd.blogspot.com/, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Decatur-CD/210532542327753Â or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/decaturcd.Â
Acoustix Basement
When the jazz is done upstairs in the restaurant, Acoustix has a first-rate soul band down in the basement. (at Acoustix Jazz Restaurant And Lounge)
Live Jazz at Acoustix, Atlanta GA
Live jazz at Acoustix in Atlanta (at Acoustix Jazz Restaurant And Lounge)
Supporting Indie Record Stores on Black Friday
Supporting indie record stores on Black Friday (at Decatur CD)
Talladega College Band at the Whitehaven Christmas Parade
#068 Talladega College Band @ Whitehaven Christmas Parade (by John Shaw)
The Talladega College band was the final band to perform in this year’s Whitehaven Christmas Parade in Memphis, 11/17/12
Mitchell High School Band at Whitehaven Christmas Parade
#067 Mitchell High School Band @ Whitehaven Christmas Parade (by John Shaw)
The Mitchell High School Tiger Band marches in the Whitehaven Christmas Parade in Memphis on 11/17/12. Formerly Mitchell Road High School, the school was the first African-American high school in Shelby County to play football, and thus had one of the earliest marching bands in the county schools.