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. As reported earlier in the day, Col. Bruce Hampton is celebrating his 70th birthday with a huge concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thus far, 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 are all set to make appearances at “Hampton 70: A Celebration of Col. Bruce Hampton” tonight to pay tribute to Col. Bruce.
All proceeds for Hampton 70 will go to the Fox Theatre Institute and other music-based charities near and dear to Col. Bruce. Photographer Dave Vann was on the ground in Decatur, Georgia, last night for the show’s rehearsal at the Vista Room. You can check out his photos below, which give us a sneak peak at what to expect tonight. For those unable to make it to the Fox for the epic birthday party, 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.
