MF Productions Defenders of the Groove with Ernie Andrews, Louis Hayes, Donald Harrison, Melvin Sparks, Steve Turre, Eddie Henderson, Chembo Corneil & Luke O'Reilly
8:00–9:15PM, Carhartt Amphitheatre Stage
This all-star assemblage will remind listeners why jazz is fun. It starts with singer Ernie Andrews, whose raw vitality and “reach ‘em by preachin’ energy” grabs audiences instantly. The Philly-born legend was discovered at age 17 by songwriter Joe Greene who produced a 300,000 single record hit with Andrews on “Soothe Me.” Ernie toured with Harry James in the ‘50s and later recorded “Big City” (1967) with Cannonball Adderly. He has performed with Ray Brown, Gene Harris, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jimmy Heath’s Big Band and countless others. Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times stated, “[Ernie] blends a hard-swinging, outgoing vocal style with a quick-witted sense of humor . . . a musical whirlwind, bringing life, love, humor and musicality to everything he sang.” Ernie will be joined by Blakey alumni Donald Harrison, Steve Turre and Eddie Henderson, along with an inspired group of percussionists that includes Detroit’s own Louis Hayes.
