As the evenings are beginning to cool down in Colorado, Jimmy Herring and The 5 of 7 brought the heat Thursday night to the Gothic Theatre in Englewood with a scorching 2 1/2 hour straight set.
Herring is well-knownfor his years in Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, WidespreadPanic, Phil Lesh & Friends and many other endeavors. This project came tolife after a desire to play with some of the younger generation. Son-in-lawDuane Trucks had introduced him to Kevin Scott who ended up playingbass with Herring in The Invisible Whip. Through Kevin he then met andbegan playing with Rick Lollar (guitar) and Darren Stanley (drums) and theever-present Matt Slocum on keys.
The enthusiasm theyhave for creating music together began to glow and then shine brightly as theyworked their way through a 17 song set.
For a guitarist, playingwith Jimmy must be a daunting task, yet Rick Lollarquickly showed his abilities while trading noteswith Herring during the opening number, Miles Davis' "BlackSatin." The magical musings of "Matt's Funk" with a secondguitar proved to be a work of art in aural form. Darrens skill isexemplary and had many in the audience asking among themselves, "Whois that?" While his prowess on the guitar was a delight, hereally added a new dimension with his vocals. Ranging from powerful to soulfuland hints of rhythm and blues.
Kevin Scott brings ajoy to the bass that is refreshing and inspiring. His zestful andstriking low end sets a solid tempo. He is always beamingbehind the beard at the house.
Darren Stanley was equallymesmerizing to watch and to hear.
As Herring has said,"when it comes to keys, Matt is the guy". On this night the dynamicpairing affirmed this point. Slocum’s keyboard acrobatics brought the audienceto exuberant ovation several times through the night.
In looking at the bandHerring had assembled, one couldn't help but think of Col. Bruce Hampton’smentoring. The Col.’s presence was in the room on this night, smiling down fromabove. The Col. was known to say "Everything is alright" and for atleast one night in Colorado it most certainly was.
After two more nightsin Colorado, Jimmy Herring and the 5 of 7 will be heading east for 31 moredates. Life is enhanced by nights like these...
