19th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents WBeez featuring Wil Blades, Will Bernard, Otis McDonald
Friday May 1
Doors 10:00PM / Show 11:00PM
Advance Tickets $20 + Processing Fees & Applicable Taxes at Checkout.
Day of Show $25 + Processing Fees & Applicable Taxes at Checkout.
Wil Blades
No less a jazz organ authority than the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith has called Wil Blades “the future,” anointing him the heir apparent to “carry on the legend and the legacy of the organ, of the B-3.” Over the past twenty plus years, Blades has grown to be one of the most in-demand Hammond organ players, achieving international recognition. He is known for his innovative approach to the Hammond organ, utilizing effects and modern techniques to expand the instrument's capabilities, while his energetic live performances have earned him a dedicated following. In 2017, he won Downbeat Magazine’s “Rising Star” critic’s poll for organ, after being nominated every year since 2006.
Blades has performed and recorded with a who’s who of legendary musicians including John Lee Hooker, John Scofield, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nicholas Payton, Idris Muhammad, Charlie Hunter, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Terrace Martin, Melvin Sparks, Joe Louis Walker, Donald Harrison Jr, Karl Denson, Adam Deitch, Stanton Moore and many more. His solo records ‘Sketchy’ and ‘Field Notes’, as well as his collaborative projects with Billy Martin, Amendola Vs. Blades and Charlie Hunter have all received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Will Bernard
As a touring artist, Will Bernard has hit the road extensively with his own bands or as a member of the Stanton Moore Trio, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Groundation, and numerous other lineups. Will has performed and or recorded with Dr Lonnie Smith,Tom Waits, Ben Sidran, Dr John, Booker T.Jones, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra, Butler/ Bernstein and the Hot Nine, George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, Global Noize, Greyboy Allstars, Galactic, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Mike Clark, Idris Muhammad and others. As well as leading his own groups, Will performs regularly with the NY collaborative electro-funk band “Pleasure Drones”, the W-Beez (With Wil Blades), Peter Apfelbaum’s Sparkler and John Medeski’s Mad Skillet with Kirk Joseph and Terence Higgins.
Otis McDonald
From the mind and ears of producer/multi-instrumentalist, Joe Bagale, comes a sound that is fresh but tangibly rooted in nostalgia. The name is Otis McDonald. The mission? Good Music. In 2015, Bagale released 80 tracks for free, under the name Otis McDonald. In 2019 Bagale released a full length album, "People Music," in collaboration with his YouTube subscribers and took over Studio D at the historic Hyde Street Studios, in San Francisco. Whether it's performing, writing, producing, or coming up with new ways to engage with his fans, Otis
McDonald plans on giving the world a dose of the past while always looking to the future.
All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.
All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.