Soul Summit:Average White Band+Kokomo at Colston Hall in Bristol on 12 November
Soul Summit:Average White Band+Kokomo will perform at The Colston Hall in Bristol on Sunday 12 November 2017
Two of the finest soul pioneers to emerge this side of the Atlantic, Average White Band and Kokomo reignite the fire of their former years as touring partners for a show-stopping double bill.
As well as their unmissable live shows, countless hits and watertight musicianship, the recognisable grooves of Average White Band continue to reach new audiences as their music is frequently sampled by DJs around the world. 1970s trendsetters Kokomo reformed in 2014 after a hiatus of many years, during which time various members collaborated with artists such as Bryan Ferry, King Crimson, BB King and the Rolling Stones, alongside flourishing solo careers.
Now, as they join forces again, audiences old and new can appreciate how each band has cultivated a legacy spanning over four decades that still burns brightly to this day.
This is a part-standing show.
Average White Band
Average White Band is regarded as one of the best soul, R & B, and funk bands alive. Though first known for the timeless instrumental mega-hit ‘Pick Up the Pieces’, the band’s strength consistently lay in its songwriting, stretching across several gold & platinum albums and triple Grammy nominations with Atlantic Records. They were the first Brits to simultaneously top the USA Top 100 Singles, Albums, and R&B Singles charts, before taking similar international and UK honours.
Paradoxically, given their Scottish roots, the six-piece took the instrumental influences of US Jazz greats Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders etc., and R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder – and molded their own sound, embraced ever since by black and white audiences alike, worldwide.
The Average White Band – with Scots originals Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre alongside noted US musicians Rocky Bryant,(drums) Freddy V. (saxes), Rob Aries (keys), and Brent Carter (vocals) – continues its place at the pinnacle of soul music to the joy of widely eclectic and multi-generational audiences everywhere.
Kokomo
Formed in 1973, Kokomo originally consisted of four vocalists: Dyan Birch, Frank Collins, Paddie McHugh and Tony O’Malley (also on keys) – all from ’60s pop sensations ‘Arrival’. Alan Spenner (bass) and Neil Hubbard (guitar) were recruited from Joe Cocker’s ‘Grease Band’; Mel Collins (sax) from King Crimson, and percussionist Jody Linscott (who went on to tour with The Who, Elton John, Dave Gilmour and more), Terry Stannard (drums) and Jim Mullen (guitar) completed the 10-piece line-up. Following various difficulties, they entered an indefinite hiatus in 1977, which lasted until their unexpected reunion in 2014.
In 2015 Kokomo were invited to join the “Soul Summit” as part of EFG London Jazz Festival, with old touring partners the Average White Band. The show sold out the Royal Festival Hall to critical acclaim with both bands receiving standing ovations so richly deserved.
Tickets are £26.50 including booking fees.