The Spirit Of Suwannee Music Park is home to some incredibly tasty music events like Hulaween and Wanee but none of those festivals fed hunger of the fans as well as A Feast Of Funk And Soul Food did last weekend. To help celebrate Southern Soul BBQ taking over the restaurant in the beloved park, promoter and known foodie Paul Levine cooked up an idea. He would invite noted soul food chefs from the region, including the Crawfish King Shaggy himself, to help pair sinfully delicious food with incredible tunes.
With five separate meals and two special late night snacks, the fans who came had a chance to sample combinations like prime rib sliders and poblano hash, tater tot poutine, kabobs, shredded pork rolls, and a chicken and waffles brunch to make sure that every attendee left the park stuffed full and ready for naps. To help burn all those calories, there was also a disc golf tournament held on the park’s challenging course and, of course, wonderful music to help folks dance the night away.
Here are some of the musical highlights of the weekend that was from our own Rex Thomson.
Leisure Chief
Orlando’s Leisure Chief brought a decidedly funky beat to the stage with a fun set of deep jams that showcased their dense and diverse sound. Showing a versatility that has made them a Suwannee favorite, they delivered a hot set of tunes, including their fresh original track “Summertime,” which you can check out below:
The Jennifer Hartswick Band
The incomparable Jennifer Hartswick showcased her incredible voice and her trumpet playing mastery to a stage she has graced many times past with the core of The Nth Power providing musical support. Her show-stopping vocal prowess held the crowd spellbound as she brought her incredible power to bare on a set of songs written to feature the talents that have made her a staple in the Trey Anastasio Band and a sought after accompanist for almost two decades.
The Nth Power
Hot on the heels of their recent live release, To Be Free, which features a mix of previously released and new tunes The Nth Power played the first of their two headlining sets. For their Friday night stand, the band played a variety of their most beloved hits as well as some of their newest like “Truth” and the aptly titled “Take My Soul.” Give a listen to the magic they cooked up below.
The Groove Orient
Another Orlando band, The Groove Orient, acquitted themselves amazingly well. Not only did they perform a rocking set of original tunes, they also provided back up for Roosevelt Collier for his set that immediately followed their own. Showing a passion for rocking and a willingness to share the lead, it was inspiring to watch. The band delighted their many fans in attendance and surely won themselves some fresh new soldiers in their army with tunes like “Hot Bandit Woman,” which you can check out below.
The Roosevelt Collier Band
The sweet and soulful sounds of Roosevelt Collier’s sacred steel pedal guitar sound have been echoing through the Spirit Of the Suwannee Music Park for years, and it is a match made in heaven. With his echoing and majestic chords and slide mastery, the faithful in the audience were rewarded with a trip to the heart of the intersection between soul and gospel. Give a listen to the ten plus minute jam he put together with members of The Groove Orient providing deft backing below.
Earth, Wind & Power
Since their Jazz Fest debut tribute to the music of Earth, Wind & Fire and their recently departed founder Maurice White, The Nth Power have been besieged with calls to repeat their stellar performance. With a star-studded lineup that includes TAB horn players Jennifer Hartswick and James Casey, sax demon Skerik, Farnell Newton, and more, it is hard to gather the many talented players under the same roof. With a rousing second edition of the set done at the impressive Brooklyn Comes Alive extravaganza, the band was primed and ready for another heaping helping of music that has been at the heart of funk and soul fans for decades.
No other band could host such a performance as perfectly as The Nth Power. Their message of love and hope in the face of adversity lines up perfectly with the music of EW&F. Guitarist and lead vocalist Nick Cassarino‘s almost evangelist style of frontman served him well as he introduced the many added players and the soulful lyrics. Drummer Nikki Glaspie provided thunder from behind her massive drum kit, giving every song a sonic weight and stability that gave the soloists plenty of room to work their magic.
Though the temperatures outside were low, the heat on the stage, the warm food in the stuffed bellies, and the fire that the fans have in their heart made for more than enough heat to stave off the coldest winds. A Feast Of Funk And Soul Food was smaller than most events held in the park by design, so that those lucky enough to be in attendance would be assured of the best possible access to the food and sun promised by the promoter, and no one was left wanting more by the time the last notes echoed through the music hall. With the rousing success of the first edition, a second helping is surely on the way!