Robert Randolph spent his childhood in the House of God Church in Orange, New Jersey, a young pedal steel player steeped in gospel music. As an adult he has become one of the greatest living guitarists, with “howling melodies and perpetually cresting, lightning-fast explorations” (Rolling Stone) that have earned him admiration from the likes of Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks. His funk-and-soul quintet ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND offers wildly energetic renditions of the music, with an assortment of onstage traditions they’ve gathered over the years: bandmates swap instruments, microphones get passed around the crowd, and Randolph teaches everyone new dance moves.
They tour behind their latest record, Lickety Split, released on Blue Note and featuring guest appearances by Carlos Santana and Trombone Shorty.
Earlier in the evening, we’re treated to a set by the GRAMMY-winning artist ERIC KRASNO, best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of both Soulive and Lettuce, two modern giants of funk music. Krasno released his debut solo record, Blood from a Stone, in 2016, which finds him singing on record for the first time. His songwriting draws from Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix, soulful and exploratory.