John Medeski's Mad Skillet at Ardmore Music Hall 11/16/2018
Photos/Video/Audio: Alex Buschiazzo
Full set video: Chris Cafiero
On the tail-end of their current tour, John Medeski's new project, Mad Skillet, came through the Philly area last night at Ardmore Music Hall, bringing the Nola Jazz heat with them. Led by the hugely influential keyboardist of Medeski, Martin & Wood and featuring guitarist Will Bernard, the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band rhythm section of sousaphonist Kirk Joseph and drummer Terence Higgins, Mad Skillet is first and foremost a product of New Orleans. The band's inception can be traced back to the late-night sets that go down every year during New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For years during that annual festival-after-the-festival, Medeski would seek out gigs with Bernard, a New York-based guitarist rooted in jazz, but adept across genres. After traversing various players and configurations, the tandem hooked up with Joseph and Higgins, both of whom Medeski had met when he produced the Dirty Dozen’s 1999 record, Buck Jump. Fiery after-hours shows at spots like the Little Gem Saloon firmed up the band’s profoundly intuitive rapport.
"Something happens there. There's something in the air, the water, the food," says Medeski. "Every time we play, it really is magical. We get together and this thing lifts. It has a life of its own, beyond any of us. There's a lot of ESP in New Orleans music. There’s a certain feel that New Orleans guys have that you can’t get anywhere else."
Mad Skillet finishes off their tour Sunday in Asbury Park, NJ at Asbury Lanes. Give a listen to the self-titled album by the quartet earlier this year: Apple Music - https://apple.co/2Q6Va68 and on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2Q6OlBq
Check out Photos, Videos and Audio from last night at Ardmore Music Hall
"Something happens there. There's something in the air, the water, the food," says Medeski. "Every time we play, it really is magical. We get together and this thing lifts. It has a life of its own, beyond any of us. There's a lot of ESP in New Orleans music. There’s a certain feel that New Orleans guys have that you can’t get anywhere else."
Mad Skillet finishes off their tour Sunday in Asbury Park, NJ at Asbury Lanes. Give a listen to the self-titled album by the quartet earlier this year: Apple Music - https://apple.co/2Q6Va68 and on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2Q6OlBq
Check out Photos, Videos and Audio from last night at Ardmore Music Hall
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Watch the full set video of Mad Skillet captured by Chris Cafiero
Full Show Audio of Mad Skillet
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