By Staff Report
Scruggs’ C.C. Booker III band in concert Wednesday
Bandleader Will Scruggs of C.C. Booker III has packed a lot of variety into his career as a saxophonist. He brings the most recent musical variation to Lindsay Street Hall on Wednesday. The Atlanta- and New York-based band will play two sets.
“By offering music sets at 7 and 9 p.m., those who want to attend the concert can come to the first set and still get home for school or work bedtimes, or come after church or other weeknight activities and still have a good time,” organizers said in a news release.
Refreshments will be available for sale, and all ages are welcome.
The event serves as a benefit for Metropolitan Ministries as well as a Chattanooga CD release party for the band.
Scruggs, 29, now living in Atlanta, began studying sax at age 8 in Johnson City, Tenn. He has played live and on recordings by such diverse acts as Dave Brubeck, Natalie Cole and Perpetual Groove.
C.C. Booker III began when Scruggs joined forces with New York Hammond B-3 artist Nate Shaw to explore the soul/jazz music of Ray Charles, King Curtis and Booker T & the MGs. After two successful East Coast tours with the New York ensemble, Scruggs returned to Atlanta to form a Southern version of the band.
Taking over for Shaw on Hammond B-3 for the Atlanta cast is former New Orleans keyboardist David Ellington, who moved to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina. Guitarist Dan Baraszu and Marlon Patton on drums round out the Atlanta group.
Their self-titled CD, released in February, features both sets of musicians, plus guest artists from Atlanta and guest vocalist John Cowan.
The CD, plus Scruggs’ previous jazz albums, “Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship” and “Bluebari Jam,” will be for sale at the Wednesday concert, with additional contributions to Metropolitan Ministries for each CD sold.
Metropolitan Ministries, which calls itself “Chattanooga’s financial emergency room,” works to prevent homelessness. The agency served more than 8,000 people in 2009.