Roosevelt Collier is one of the most sought after sacred steel players in the game. He is often listed as an “Artist-At-Large” on dozens of festival lineups throughout the year, playing with all the bands and artists looking to add that soulful steel sound that he graces the stage with. “I really didn’t think of myself as being sought after. When it comes to jamming with others, I just really enjoy making music with people,” Collier explains, “I enjoy the possibilities of what could happen at any given moment.”
Collier is also a Jimi Hendrix aficionado, having performed the material of the guitar god time and time again. He will once again do so this Friday night, February 24th when he, along with Dopapod’s Rob Compa (guitar) and Chuck Jones (bass), and TAUK’s Isaac Teel (drums), perform a special tribute to Hendrix’s Band of Gypsy’s-era material at American Beauty in New York City (purchase tickets here).
We decided to take a look at some memorable collaborations from Collier’s career, and it is like a “Who’s Who” of incredible artists. A cover of “Little Wing” with none other than Oteil Burbridge, Kofi Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, and Count M’Butu? Yeah, that happened. Rocking out to “Voodoo Child” with Warren Haynes in Miami at a late-night show, or sitting in with Anders Osborne on The Band‘s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Then there was that time at Bear Creek in 2012 when he joined Skerik and Mike Dillon’s Dead Kenny G’s project, along with George Porter Jr. and Billy Martin. Or rocking out to JJ Cale’s “Ride Me High” with Widespread Panic and Bobby Lee Rodgers in 2013.
There is a reason Roosevelt Collier is one of the most respected musicians in the scene today. Last year on Jam Cruise, he hosted his own super jam on the main stage, which brought out a laundry list of artists that include Paul Hoffman and Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass, Eric Krasno, Snarky Puppy, Dumpstaphunk, Fred Wesley, Ron Holloway, Nigel Hall, Eric McFadden, Todd Stoops and many more. And then, just last week, there was the performance of “Spanish Castle Magic” from the legend’s 1967 Axis: Bold As Love album. Take a look at a few of these aforementioned performances below.
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[courtesy of FunkItBlog]
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[courtesy of Mountain Jam Festival]
[courtesy of FunkItBlog]
Tickets for Roosevelt Collier’s Band of Gypsy’s Tribute are currently on-sale and can be purchased here. Local NYC jammers Dorsia will be providing support for the performance. For show updates and additional information, check out the Facebook Event page.