Will Scruggs » Reviews

Washington City Paper – February 4, 2008

will — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:39:47 +0000

By Michael West

CC Booker III’s Weekend Grooves

Playing to a packed house at Twins Jazz at Saturday night’s 9:00 set, CC Booker III delivered an earthshaking mix of soul, funk, and hard-bop jazz.

The band isn’t one that can rehearse once a week: tenor saxophonist Will Scruggs lives in Atlanta, while the rhythm section (organist and co-leader Nate Shaw, guitarist Tony Romano, and drummer Matt Kane) are based in Brooklyn; in addition, the weekend’s second saxophonist Charles Phaneuf lives here in D.C. Once all five were onstage, however, there was no indication that they didn’t play together every night for years. Playing classics by Booker T. and the MGs and Ray Charles, the saxes fused with the rhythm players – Phaneuf, in particular, united with Romano’s Stax/Volt guitar licks. The highlight of the evening was a duel between Phaneuf and Scruggs, each of them copping each other’s licks while prodding the other to dream up bolder ones on the spot.

That said, there was no denying the chemistry and intimacy between Romano, Kane, and Shaw. The organist took the responsibility for the vacant bass chair, although Romano couldn’t resist playing off of him and submitting some tasty (and imaginative) bottom riffs of his own, simultaneously playing snakey responses to the Shaw’s slap-handed calls – they were an irresistible combo, one that commanded spectators to shake heads and shoulders. Kane, meanwhile, found ways of making even his pet licks – he’s a sucker for toms on the two-beat – sound fresh and exciting.

The crowd seems to have agreed. Every solo, every tune, and occasionally even a few lonely riffs generated screams and mighty ovations. Twins has a reputation for filling seats with the avant-garde, but even the edgiest listeners need some good old funky fun now and then. CC Booker only plays DC about once a year, but they never fail to generate that fun.

Michael J. West is an author and a music critic for several newspapers, including the Washington City Paper and the Village Voice.

Russ David’s Atlanta Music Blog – June 11, 2007

will — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:19:22 +0000

CC Booker III – The Five Spot

Pieces of the Big Apple were seen and heard in the Dirty South.

One word – JAZZ

Two words – PHENOMINAL JAZZ

I had been looking forward to catching a performance of Will Scruggs and Big Bucket for two weeks. Will Scruggs joined with Big Bucket for a short summer tour of the south and the final stop was The Five Spot in Little Five Points. This was a venue I had not been to before and in my opinion the perfect size. If it had not been a Sunday night I am sure the place would have been packed. I pulled into the parking lot and as soon as I opened my door I heard the soulful sound of the saxaphone and the Hammond B3 organ. For some reason I thought the performance started at 9:00 and I was right on time. The sign on the door said 8:00 – 10:00. I was bummed I had missed half the show. The cover charge was $8. As soon as I walked in I heard the band playing loud and proud. I got my $8 worth after one and a half songs. To my great satisfaction they played till 11:30.

Big Bucket is from New York and Will Scruggs is an Atlanta musician and plays with the Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship. Will was in New York and met the members of Bucket Band. I did not get the story on how they decided to collaborate. In short they formed a new band CC Booker III. It is a jazz band that performs songs from three great musicians: Booker T & the MG’s, King Curtis, and Ray Charles.

This was the best performed live music I have ever seen or heard yet in the Atlanta music scene. The songs were long, most 10+ minutes each. Although they played other’s music, their own updated style was added. This is a great band to bring a date to because of the energy and emotion.

Nate Shaw played the B3 in flip flops and sporting a driving cap. Until now I had only heard the B3 played in context with live blues music. I have heard an entirely new sound with Jazz music. There was no need for an electric or stand up bass. The B3 in the hands of Nate produced a wonderful rich bass line. It is amazing how it sounds the same as a regular bass guitar. Remember when you were young and your teacher told you to tap the top of your head and rub your belly at the same time? Could you do it with your eyes closed? Imagine that but more difficult; playing two keyboards at once. That requires coordination, concentration and dexterity. It seemed easy and fun for Nate. He is an outstanding current B3 musician.

Raleigh News and Observer – October 7, 2007

will — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:58:05 +0000

By Owen Cordle, Correspondent

No one can accuse Raleigh saxophonist Will Scruggs of a lackadaisical performance. On “BlueBari Jam” (Summit), to be released Tuesday, the Enloe High School graduate, who holds music degrees from Emory University and Georgia State University, plunges into the music like a Swing Era tenor man bent on blowing the house down.

That’s what he does on “Swingin’ to the Left,” the opening track, a fast, riff-based melody over familiar chord changes.

Further down in the program, there’ll be a rowdy, speechlike performance, “Inside (The Realm of Possibility),” reminiscent of Charles Mingus. And then “Big B” comes along with a springy groove that recalls pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones of the classic John Coltrane Quartet. Later we hear “Willy’s Little Men,” a slow blues with guest guitarist Chris Duarte bending notes and getting soulful.

If you get the idea that this album is heavy on blues expression, you are right. Whether on tenor or baritone saxophone, Scruggs, who lives in Atlanta, partakes liberally of the tried-and-true blues vocabulary of growls, wide vibrato, pitch manipulation and slippery-versus-emphatic articulation. He knows the ropes.

The Fellowship rhythm section — pianist Brian Hogans, bassist Zack Pride and drummer Marlon Patton — shares Scruggs’ give-it-all attitude. On “Big B” Hogans pushes his solo to heroic proportions with driving runs and agile block chords. Pride exhibits a Mingus-like percussiveness and authority in his playing, and Patton fuels everything with a powerful beat. Guest trombonist Wes Funderburk augments a couple of tracks with robust playing. Guest guitarist Sid Wolf also appears.

The album’s one miscue is a smooth-jazz version of Peter Tosh’s “Till Your Well Runs Dry.” It would have been better to leave this performance off.

Charleston City Paper – June 6, 2007

will — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:40:16 +0000

By T. Ballard Lesemann

Link to full article

New York Jazz Sessions with The Scruggs-Shaw Quartet

A Jewel in the Tiara: Nate Shaw and Will Scruggs jam on snazzy lounge grooves

No stranger to the Piccolo Spoleto jazz events, New York-based keyboardist Nate Shaw (of Big Bucket and New Power Trio) returns to Charleston this week with a new project featuring Atlanta-based baritone saxophonist Will Scruggs and a “special guest rhythm section.” They’re calling their Charleston gigs — part of this year’s Piccolo Spoleto Jazz Series at Tonik — the “New York Jazz Sessions.”

Likely more of a groove-heavy “lounge jazz/funk” performance of Shaw-penned tunes, choice lounge covers, and improvisation than any sort of be-bop/standard jazz jam, the gig is one of the stand-out events of this year’s two-week series.

So far, Piccolo Spoleto and Lawson Roberts (of Cellar Entertainment) have presented 10 local and visiting jazz, blues, and soul acts at the Tonik nightclub. Already, lounge/jazz combo Vintage Velvet, Latin-jazz act Leah Suarez & Toca Toca, Bobby Alvarez & Friends (doing a tribute to Steely Dan and Michael McDonald), Cuban-jazz ensemble Havanason, and soul/jazz crooner Chris Hyatt have performed at the venue. This week’s final gigs include two evenings from Shaw & Scruggs and an encore set from Chris Hyatt and his quartet.

“We’re touring this month around the South under the name CC Booker III,” says Scruggs of their quartet. “The name comes from our three main influences. ‘C’ for Ray Charles, ‘C’ for King Curtis, and ‘Booker’ for Booker T. & The MG’s. The concept kind of evolved over the past months. I spent some time with Nate in Brooklyn earlier this spring. We rehearsed with the band, recorded a little EP, and started gravitating to a more organic, old-school sound.”

The four-song, self-titled EP — featuring drummer Matt Kane and guitarist Tony Romano — includes a groovin’ rendition of the blues standard “Got My Mojo Workin’,” Booker T. & The MGs’ “Soul Dressing,” the Ray Charles tune “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” and the Leiber and Stoller hit “Charlie Brown,” made famous in the late ’50s by The Coasters. (Fans can check out some of these tracks online at www.ccbooker.com).

“We were totally inspired by some music we had been listening to,” says the saxophonist. “We’re doing new interpretations of material from these three sources, plus we’re still doing originals. Nate and I are definitely gearing up to work more and more together. Of course, we reside on different ends of the East Coast, but in some ways, that makes it cooler because when we have opportunities to play together it’s extra fun. We’ve got some plans in the works already for a fall tour and we hope to be doing a couple trips out together every year. We’re definitely psyched to come to Charleston.”

Chattanooga Times Free Press – April 23, 2010

will — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:56:50 +0000

By Staff Report

Link to full article

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.

DCist – April 8, 2010

will — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:22:49 +0000

By Sriram Gopal

Link to full article

DCist Preview: C.C. Booker III @ Twins Jazz

In the 1960s, several strains of African American music converged to form the genre we now call soul jazz. On the one hand was the straight ahead jazz tradition, specifically, the hard bop sound legendary drummer Art Blakey pioneered with his timeless band, the Jazz Messengers. On the other hand was the popular R&B music of the day, with Memphis soul and Motown beaming across the airwaves. From yet another angle came the spirituality of gospel music. All of these influences came together and gave rise to an infectious music that demanded strong improvisational skills, but also always rooted in a danceable groove, while carrying the emotional weight of traditional black culture.

“I’m a huge fan of soul jazz, and of the Hammond B3 sound in particular,” said saxophonist/vocalist Will Scruggs, referring to the type of electric organ around which this music is often based. “The music was accessible to a lot of people, both the jazz die-hards and folks who weren’t jazz fans.”

Scruggs, who is based out of Atlanta, is the leader of C.C. Booker III, a band that revels in the soul jazz vibe, and who will be performing this Friday and Saturday at the venerable Twins Jazz. The group is in town supporting its self-titled debut album, which follows an EP released in 2007.

The heart of CCB3’s sound lies with Scruggs’ saxophone and the organ stylings of Nate Shaw, who used to be a co-leader of the group, but has since relinquished his role due to writing and recording commitments for television soundtracks. The album’s initial tunes were recorded with musicians based out of New York City, with whom Shaw often worked. Once Scruggs took over the group, he had trouble funding the project, and was forced to shelve it for nearly a year. Scruggs eventually completed the album with musicians based out of Atlanta, including Wes Funderburk on trombone and Ken Watters on trumpet. Scruggs, Funderburk, and Watters often play together in Atlanta’s session scene, and have recorded with the likes of Natalie Cole, Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley), and multi-platinum producers Dallas Austin (TLC) and Jermaine Dupri (Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey).

The band at Twins will include Scruggs and Shaw, along with guitarist Tony Romano from the New York band, and drummer Marlon Patton from Atlanta. Charles Phaneuf, a local tenor saxophonist with whom Scruggs grew up in North Carolina will also make a guest appearance.

“This is the first time we’ve mixed personnel and it could lead to some nice new twists in the music,” said Scruggs.

This weekend is a soft launch. While CDs will be available at live shows, the album is not yet available online or in stores, as Scruggs is in ongoing discussions with record labels for a distribution deal. Out of the album’s 11 tracks, only one is an original composition. Scruggs wrote “TOLA” about a particularly memorable gig in Charleston, SC.

“There was something magical about that night, in the steamy heat of mid-summer,” explained Scruggs. “It was late at night and I was inspired to write something exotic.”

The remainder of the songs are covers, with original arrangements, of the artists from which the band derives its name: King Curtis, Ray Charles, and Booker T. & the MGs. Standout tracks include “Shoppin’ for Clothes” by The Coasters, with whom Curtis played, and the MGs’ “Booker’s Notion.” Along with these deeper cuts are more recognizable grooves like Booker T.’s “Hip Hug Her” and Ray Charles’ “Leave My Woman Alone.” With all of this great material, there will be no shortage of toe-tapping and head-bobbing at Twins.

“Twins is known for great jazz, often quite cutting edge and even avant-garde stuff,” Scruggs said. “But this band is just about some down home fun.”

C.C. Booker III will perform 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10, 2010. Tickets are $17 + $12 minimum/surcharge.

By Sriram Gopal in Arts and Events on April 8, 2010 10:11 AM