Will Scruggs » News

CC Booker returns to Churchill Grounds Feb 3-4

will — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:39:25 +0000

On Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th, CC Booker returns to “Atlanta’s Premier Jazz Club,” Churchill Grounds. Join us for two great nights of SoulJazz featuring the Hammond B3 Organ of David Ellington plus Dan Baraszu on guitar and Justin Chesarek on the drums. We’ll perform two sets each night at 9:30 and 11:30 PM ($10 cover charge and a $10 minimum). Kids under 18 are allowed if accompanied by an adult.

Churchill Grounds is where it all began for me. It’s where I cut my teeth as a college student at the weekly jam session, where the first Jazz Fellowship CD was released, and where I planted the seed that became CC Booker with Brooklyn organist Nate Shaw. It’s been several years since my last show at the venue that has consistently been voted the #1 Jazz club in Atlanta, so this will be a special weekend. We hope to see you there! (photo by Mark Adams)

Jazz at the HIGH Friday, December 16

will — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:40:52 +0000

On Friday, December 16th I’m returning to the HIGH Museum of Art in Atlanta with the Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship. Jazz at the HIGH is one of the most popular events in town and I’m honored to have been invited back for my 3rd performance in 2 years.

This time I’ll be joined by a fantastic band:
Brian Hogans, piano
Dan Baraszu, guitar
Tommy Sauter, bass
Marlon Patton, drums

We’ll be performing original jazz, standards, and some brand new Holiday jazz arrangements created especially for this concert.

The music begins at 5 PM and lasts until 10 PM, and tickets include access to the entire museum as well as the performance. Right now the HIGH is featuring two special exhibitions: The Sculpture of Grainger McKoy and Picasso to Warhol. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.high.org

Benefit Concert at St.Timothy’s UMC (Stone Mt)

will — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:35:50 +0000

Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship to Play at St. Timothy UMC

This Sunday, November 13th, the Jazz Fellowship is coming together for a benefit concert at St. Timothy’s Methodist Church in Stone Mountain, GA. Please come check out the performance and help us raise some money for a good cause.

From the church newsletter:
Metro Atlanta’s finest jazz band will be in concert at St. Timothy UMC on November 13th! Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship, with special guest Wes Funderburk, will be on stage in the CLC at St. Timothy UMC, 5365 Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. This traditional, straight ahead jazz combo was the winner of the 2005 Future of Jazz Competition winning the opportunity to play at the Atlanta Jazz Festival the following year. They released their first CD, Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship, in 2005. In 2007 they were signed to Summit Records and released their second CD, Bluebari Jam. Will Scruggs, band leader, vocalist and saxophonist, and Wes Funderburk, trombonist and arranger, have played all over America and Europe. They have performed and recorded with artists including Cee Lo, The Boston Brass, Joe Gransden, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Natalie Cole. As part of the Funderhorns, a professional studio horn section, they were invited to back eight-time Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole on her album “Leavin.” She was so impressed with them that she invited them to perform with her at the Apollo Theater in New York and again at her performance at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta.

Will is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Emory University. He is one of the top call saxophonists in the Southeast. Wes, also a home grown talent, is one of the most sought after trombonists and arrangers in Atlanta and the Southeast. He is the author of Funderbone.com and the inventor of “Blog Songs”, his award-winning music blog and podcast.
The band will be playing original compositions and interpretations of classic jazz repertoire in mix of jazz, Latin, and gospel inspired music. At $10 a ticket, this benefit is a terrific bargain!

Snacks and soft drinks will be available. Doors will open at 4:30, and the concert will begin at 5:00 pm and end at 7:00 pm. Call 404-292-5969 for tickets.

CC Booker at the Family Dog

will — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:34:04 +0000

On Thursday, October 27th, CC Booker is scheduled to play two sets of FREE music at a cool new venue – the Family Dog in the Virginia Highlands (Atlanta). This popular neighborhood hang-out is known for it’s unique menu of “farm-to-table pub food,” and there is never a cover charge for the music. Plus, unlike most restaurants the folks at the Family Dog like their music to be heard, so we can really stretch out and play. The music starts at 9 PM and goes until Midnight. For this performance CCB3 will look a little different – we will be featuring Robby Handley, a fantastic bassist who was a guest on our last CD. For more info, directions, etc, CLICK HERE.

Kingsized Holiday Jubilee & Toy Drive, December 10 at Variety Playhouse

will — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:42:05 +0000

Mark your calendar – my favorite Kingsized show of the year is coming up……December 10th at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta GA. Click here to Buy Tickets.

This freewheeling Kingsized Holiday Jubilee and toy drive has become a tinsel-time tradition. The all-ages 90-minute show features your Holiday favorites by the likes of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Any Williams, Ray Charles, Heat Miser, The Grinch, Elvis, Lou Rawls and more!

Start your Holiday Season with Atlanta’s own showbiz mavens. Big Mike and The Dames Aflame, along with the very merry Kingsized Rock n Roll Orchestra, bring tidings of comfort & joy with their signature glitz and glamour.

The Kingsized Holiday Jubilee has been involved with the Metro Atlanta Toys For Tots since 2007. Please do nate

CC Booker plays Candler Park Fall Fest

will — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:15:10 +0000

On Sunday, October 16th, CC Booker will play a FREE show at the Candler Park Fall Fest in Atlanta, GA. Candler Park’s annual festival is one of the most popular neighborhood festivals in the city, and CC Booker is pleased to be in the line-up this year. Come on out to Candler Park, located at McLendon Ave. and Candler Park Dr., for some great music, food, art, and more. CC Booker takes the stage at 4:30, but stick around for Kingsized, who closes out the festival with a long set at 6:30 PM.

Funderhorns on the new Wood Brothers CD

will — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:21:54 +0000

On August 2, 2011 the Wood Brothers released their 4th CD, Smoke Ring Halo, on Southern Ground Records. For those who don’t already know about the Wood Brothers, Oliver Wood is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter based here in Atlanta. His brother, Chris Wood, became famous as the bass player for Medeski, Martin and Wood. I have been a fan of Oliver’s music for several years so I was honored to get the call to play in the horn section for this record along with Wes Funderburk, Joe Gransden, and Marcus Henderson. The title track was written for and about our friend Adam Mewherter, a wonderful trombone player who passed away in 2009. Adam’s death left a big hole in the Atlanta music scene, and many people in town still miss him greatly. The recording session was an emotional experience for all those involved and we’re very grateful to Oliver for capturing Adam’s spirit in this music. Click here to buy Smoke Ring Halo from the Wood Brothers’ website.

Decatur BBQ, Blues, & Bluegrass Festival Aug.20

will — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:28:57 +0000

On Saturday, August 20th, CC Booker III will perform a 5:00 PM set of backyard music at the 11th Annual Decatur BBQ, Blues, & Bluegrass Festival. This great neighborhood festival is held in Harmony Park, part of the Oakhurst Village in Dacatur, GA. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance ($5 for ages 10-20 and free for kids under 10). There will be plenty of good beer and delicious BBQ by Fox Bros. and Community Q. Plus, all proceeds from the festival directly benefit local community centers and neighborhood groups. Come on out and hang in the ‘hood with CCB3!

CCB3 @Matildas (Alpharetta) Aug.19

will — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:26:48 +0000

On Friday, August 19th, CC Booker will throw the B3 in the trailer and head up the road for a show at a great summer-time venue in Alpharetta called Matilda’s. Although they’ve been known for their summer concert series for several years, this will be our first show at Matilda’s. The address is 377 S. Main Street, but the music area feels like it’s tucked way back in the woods, with bands playing on the front porch of an old cabin. There are picnic tables for seating near the stage and a small open field for those who want to stretch out. Tickets are $15 at the door, but you can bring your own food and drinks. It’s also pet and kid friendly, so bring the whole family out for some great SoulJazz! We’ll play two sets starting at 8:30 PM.

Kingsized Elvis Royale

will — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:55:28 +0000

Saturday, August 13th at the Variety Playhouse in Little 5 Points. This show will sell out, so get your tickets in advance. Big Mike Geier, one of Atlanta’s most popular entertainers, has been thrilling audiences with his over-the-top Elvis Tribute Shows for more than 10 years. Backed by the Kingsized Rock ‘n Roll Orchestra and featuring the Dames Aflame dancers, this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Come out and “Feel the Power of Elvis” with us on August 13th. For more information, visit the Elvis Royale Website.