It’s been one year since we lost Col. Bruce Hampton, the celebrated “grandaddy of the jam scene” who raised contemporary heroes like Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring, Oteil Burbridge, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, and many, many more as his musical children. Almost exactly one year after Hampton 70, the Colonel’s 70th birthday celebration and final gathering, a group of musicians banded together for a tribute show at The Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans during Jazz Fest.
Starting around 2 in the morning, the core band was made up of drummer Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic), bassist Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), keyboardist/flutist Kofi Burbridge (Tedeschi Trucks Band), and guitarist/vocalist Jake Eckhart (Dirty Dozen Brass Band). During the late-night show, special guests rotated throughout center stage of the tiny room, which was roaring with energy and celebration. Young guitarists Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer and Marcus King were on hand, as well as guitarists Papa Mali and Eric McFadden, and Lettuce saxophonist Ryan Zoids. The setlist featured songs from Col. Bruce Hampton and Widespread Panic’s rotations, including Hampton originals and covers of Bukka White, Skip James, Howlin’ Wolf, Bobby Blue Band, and more.
Thanks to Picklemic, you can listen to the full show audio below:
Setlist: Colonel Bruce Tribute | The Maple Leaf Bar | New Orleans, LA | 5/3/18
Fixin’ To Die*, Time Is Free*, I’m So Glad*, Smokestack Lightning%, There Was A Time%, I Got My Mojo Working%$, Yield Not to Temptation&, Compared To What&, Spoonful&ß, Basically Frightened>*&%, Lovelight*&%$
*Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer
&Marcus King
%Papa Mali
$Eric McFadden
$Ryan Zoids
One of Col. Bruce Hampton’s final products, before he passed, was an independent film, Here Comes Rusty, which officially debuted at film festivals in 2016, but never actually released to the public. Now, the film producers and cast want to bring that film to the finish line and give Here Comes Rusty the completion it deserves for the family, friends, and fans of Col. Bruce Hampton. Click this link to donate, and #DoItForBruce. Learn more about the film here.