On September 29th, the fourth-annual Brooklyn Comes Alive will return to Brooklyn’s beloved Williamsburg neighborhood for an all-day music marathon at Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Rough Trade. New Orleans drumming and jazz legend Johnny Vidacovich will once again return to the one-day musical extravaganza in 2018, again leading an all-star trio—this year featuring famed keyboardist Robert Walter and fan-favorite Lettuce trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom—in a collaborative, improvisation-heavy performance.
Vidacovich, Walter, and Bloom’s upcoming collaboration at BCA showcase the freedom that musicians playing the festival have to pursue their dream projects and collaborations. After Vidacovich’s standout performance with other New Orleans musical legends George Porter Jr. and Henry Butler in 2017, the famed jazz drummer was invited once again to return this year, and he jumped at the opportunity. Coming about in a truly organic fashion, we asked Vidacovich what players he’d want for a trio performance this year, and the first two names he offered up were Walter and Bloom.
However, Vidacovich is not the only the only member of the trio who has previously performed at the festival; rather, the drummer has chosen two exceptional players and Brooklyn Comes Alive veterans to join him for the performance. Robert Walter—a founding member of The Greyboy Allstars, leader of his own 20th Congress, and current musician in the Mike Gordon Band—performed at Brooklyn Comes Alive in 2016, joining Joe Russo, Scott Metzger, and Andy Hess for one of the most popular sets of the event. Benny Bloom, who currently resides in Vidacovich’s hometown of New Orleans, similarly performed at BCA in 2016, playing a set his with his Lettuce bandmates—brothers Tyler and Jesus Coomes, guitar master Adam Smirnoff, and Shady Horns partner-in-crime Ryan Zoidis—and with The Nth Power‘s guest-filled tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.
As Johnny V explained to us,
Wow! Time is getting close for Brooklyn Comes Alive! I love this Festival but I am double excited this year because of the fantastic chance for this 1st time Trio experience, with my new friend, Benny Bloom on Trumpet and my long time friend and collaborator, Robert Walter. What a treat! See you there!
Roger Walter continued,
I’m excited to reunite with my hero and friend Johnny Vidacovich. We have made a couple of albums together and used to play weekly back when I lived in New Orleans. The amazing Eric Bloom joins us. I predict the unexpected and expect the unpredictable.
To get excited about this performance, check out this collaboration between frequent Brooklyn Comes Alive collaborator George Porter Jr. (George will return to BCA once again in 2018 during a special tribute set honoring Col. Bruce Hampton, Butch Trucks, and Gregg Allman), Johnny Vidacovich, and Benny Bloom in New Orleans last year!
George Porter Jr., Johnny Vidacovich, & Eric “Benny” Bloom – “Pain In My Heart” – Maple Leaf Bar – New Orleans, LA – 2/2/2017
[Video: William Duff]
The fourth-annual Brooklyn Comes Alive will return to Brooklyn’s beloved Williamsburg neighborhood on September 29th for an all-day music marathon at Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade. Inspired by the vibrant musical communities of Brooklyn and New Orleans, Brooklyn Comes Alive brings together more than 50 artists, allowing them to carry out passion projects, play with their musical heroes, and collaborate in never-before-seen formations. For more information, ticketing, and to see the full list of performers scheduled for Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018, head to the festival’s website here.
