When Walter Parks visited Columbus earlier this year for a solo concert at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, he earned encore calls and rave reviews from the sold-out crowd. He returns Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. with a different vibe. This time he brings his swamp boogie blues band, Swamp Cabbage.
The group was formed more than a decade ago by the veteran guitarist who built an international career as lead guitarist for Woodstock legend Richie Havens from 2001 to 2011. The eclectic artist’s grittier side is showcased as Swamp Cabbage blends blues, jazz, soul, Southern rock, Appalachian and even classical influences into an earthy stew .
Parks, who marked his debut as a solo artist this year with the release of his self-titled album on Judy Collins’ Wildflower label, formed the band with bassist Jim DeVito and drummer Jagoda as a way to explore the Southern musical influences of his North Florida upbringing.
Critic Jon Sobel of BlogCritics.org summed up the sound: “Rootsy, Southern-fried blues doesn’t come much more boggy than Swamp Cabbage.”
Swamp Cabbage sounds like a Southern rock band but thinks like a jazz, blues or classical trio, Parks expressed. Harmonically, the sound is more complex than the blues. Rhythmically, it’s akin to New Orleans jazz.
The trio has recorded several albums of original material — “Honk” (2006), “Squeal (ZOHO Roots, 2008), and “Live from New York” (2010). This past summer the group released “Drum Roll Please.” Their touring has included performances at international festivals in Canada, Germany and Spain.
Parks’ music has been incorporated in at least a dozen TV or film features, including the “American Guns” theme song on Discovery, and “Roadtrip Nation” on PBS.
How to go
Tickets are $10 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets are $12 at the door, if available. For information or to reserve tickets, contact the CAC at 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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