(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Galactic will play a special pair of shows at Tipitina's in New Orleans, LA on September 9-10 with a host of special guests to mark its 10th
anniversary. A longtime staple of the vibrant New Orleans music
scene, Galactic will return to its de facto home base venue
to celebrate a decade of good times and great music. "We've all grown
up together and learned so much," says bassist Robert Mercurio. "We're
not only best friends, we're like family."
As part of the two special anniversary performances, several members of
Galactic's extended New Orleans "family" will join them on stage.
Former band member Theryl "Houseman" deClouet will sing with the band
along with frequent collaborator Tricia "Sista Teedy" Boutte, adding
soulful vocals to Galactic's instrumental power. New Orleans piano-funk
wizard Jon Cleary will sit in, and Big Chief Bo Dollis will bring the Wild Magnolias, a
team of Mardi Gras Indians, for a traditional street beat jam. Other
guests slated to appear include Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr. (of
the original Meters), saxman Tim Green, drummer Johnny Vidacovich (of
Astral Project,), piano virtuoso Henry Butler, Theresa Andersson, and
members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. DJ Quicky Mart will open both
shows for the dance party. tickets are priced at $20 per night.
Galactic was born in the mid-'90s, after two Washington, DC
punks–guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio–relocated to
New Orleans and found themselves intoxicated by the sounds of the scene
that nurtured The Meters, Professor Longhair, the Neville Brothers and
Dr. John. Armed with the rhythmic tradition of their adopted hometown,
Raines, Mercurio, saxophonist Ben Ellman, keyboardist Rich Vogel, and
drummer Stanton Moore have spent 10 years playing together. Weaving modern and retrospective styles into their own trademark
jazz-funk-rock fusion, Galactic created a far-reaching canon–including
six albums and countless live performances–informed by ongoing
influence from a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, blues, pop,
and electronica.
A sought-after act on the international live music circuit, Galactic
has completed countless U.S. tours, four European tours and four
highly successful trips to Japan. At home and abroad, the band has
shared tours and shows with the Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, the
Allman Brothers Band, The Roots, Widespread Panic, B.B. King, James
Brown, and Live. Galactic has also appeared at many
music festivals, including Fuji Rock, Austin City Limits,
Coachella, four consecutive performances at the Bonnaroo Music
Festival, and eight consecutive performances at the New Orleans Jazz
Fest. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
