Umphrey’s McGee keyboardist Joel Cummins is getting ready to play two sets at this coming weekend’s music marathon Brooklyn Comes Alive in Williamsburg, New York (Sept. 23rd and 24th). The master of the ivories will play a supergroup set alongside Lotus drummer Mike Greenfield, The Motet guitarist Ryan Jalbert, fellow “Prank War” foes Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner of The Disco Biscuits, and Trey Anastasio Band’s horn virtuosos and songstresses Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman. Prior to that highly anticipated superjam set, Cummins will open things up at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday with a special brunch solo piano set (NOLA funk/R&B legend Jon Cleary will take on brunch piano set duties over at Schimanski a little earlier). Get tickets here!
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In a recent interview with Live For Live Music, Cummins discussed the challenges of stepping out of the group setting and being the lone soldier on stage plus how he prepares for his solo sets. He noted, “For me, it’s a different opportunity to really focus on just playing well by myself. I think there is a little more pressure that kind of comes with it. When I’m up on stage with Umphrey’s, there are five other guys up there. If I do something that is unexpected or make a mistake, more than likely, the other five guys are going to pick me up or cover it up, you know? [laughs] So there is a little extra preparation required because you are out there on your own. It’s really nice because when I do solo piano stuff, I do a mix of classical stuff, some jazz, some Umphrey’s tunes, some covers that I’m saving—there is a whole different spectrum with it. It’s good for me to get out there and see what I can do. Obviously, the other big thing is that when I am up on stage with Umphrey’s, there are five other guys playing music, so I typically have to do a whole lot more to fill up the space when I am playing by myself, and I like the challenge.”
However, despite these challenges, the keyboardist is no stranger to going lounge style. In addition to the one-off solo sets he’s played around the country, Joel Cummins has performed several Atrium sets aboard Jam Cruise over the years. For example, in 2016, Joel Cummins impressed cruisers with a rendition of the classic Radiohead Kid A track, “Everything In Its Right Place.” You can check out Cummins performing Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” aboard Jam Cruise 2016 below, plus catch him live this Sunday at Brooklyn Comes Alive!
Inspired by the vibrant musical communities of Brooklyn and New Orleans, Brooklyn Comes Alive is set to take place across three venues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Bowl, Schimanski, Music Hall of Williamsburg) on September 23rd and 24th. The unique homegrown event puts the focus on the musicians, curating dream team collaborations, tributes, and artist passion projects for two full days of incredible music both new and old.
The 2017 lineup is set to include hand-selected band lineups featuring all-star musicians like John Scofield, George Porter Jr. (The Meters), Vinnie Amico and Al Schnier (moe.), Bernard Purdie, Cummins’ Umphrey’s McGee bandmates Ryan Stasik and Kris Myers, Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), Mike Greenfield and Jesse Miller (Lotus), Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Alan Evans (Soulive), Cyril Neville (Neville Brothers), Henry Butler, Jon Cleary, Reed Mathis (Electric Beethoven), Michael League, Nate Werth, Chris Bullock, Robert “Sput” Searight, and Bob Lanzetti (Snarky Puppy), Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), and scores of others!
***Tickets Are On Sale Now!***
Brooklyn Comes Alive is now offering single day tickets, as well as a ticket payment plan for as low as $30/month. When checking out, just select “Monthly payments with Affirm” as your payment method. To find out more about ticketing, VIP options, and lodging, head to the festival website.
[cover photo courtesy of Keith Griner @ Phierce Photo]
Check out the full BCA lineup and daily schedule below:
