Col. Bruce Hampton is turning 70 and he’s celebrating his birthday with a huge concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, with proceeds benefiting the Fox Theatre Institute and other musician-focused charities. Tonight, “Hampton 70: A Celebration of Col. Bruce Hampton” will feature collaborations by Col. Bruce’s friends and admirers as they come together to honor and pay tribute to his music and life.For those unable to make it, nugs.net will be streaming the show live from the Fox. The webcast is currently available here, with proceeds going to benefit various charities including the Fox Theatre Institute.Tonight’s lineup includes: Widespread Panic members John Bell, Dave Schools, Duane Trucks and Jimmy Herring, Peter Buck of R.E.M, steel-guitar-man Darick Campbell, renowned saxophone player Karl Denson, Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, Jon Fishman of Phish, banjo-shredder Rev. Jeff Mosier, guitar god Warren Haynes, Drivin’ N Cryin’ front man Kevn Kinney, Atlanta jazz-staple Johnny Knapp, Chuck Leavell of The Allman Brothers Band and The Rolling Stones, Athens rock-troubadour T. Hardy Morris, 13-year old guitar prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, John Popper of Blues Traveler, funk bassist Kevin Scott, keyboardist Matt Slocum, Denny Walley of Frank Zappa fame, gypsy- metal guitarist Emil Werstler, Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers, the Colonel’s Sling Blade co- star and Oscar- award winning actor Billy Bob Thornton plus Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, and more special guests.Fondly called the “Granddaddy of the Jam Scene” for decades, Col. Bruce Hampton is a legend in jam music whose impact on the scene is insurmountable. From his beginnings with the groundbreaking avant-garde group the Hampton Grease Band to the seminal Aquarium Rescue Unit, his idiosyncratic blend of improvisational space rock has an influence that reaches far beyond Atlanta’s music clubs. He is one of live jam music’s most recognizable and respected players and this event will see many of his frequent collaborators and friends joining to honor his life and achievements.
