Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay
Celebrating Prince feat. former members of the NPG

Before he became Earth Wind & Fire's guitarist over fifty years ago, Al McKay played for another cult band in the history of soul and funk: Charles Wright’s Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band. But it was alongside the legendary Maurice White and with Earth Wind & Fire that he achieved glory in the 1970s by making his mark on hits that shook the world and have become undying classics over the years: from September (co-written with Maurice White) to Boogie Wonderland, Sing A Song, Reasons, Can’t Hide Love and Shining Star, but also cult instrumental pieces like Sun Goddess and Brazilian Rhyme.
Nowadays, Al McKay continues to nurture a style that remains as jubilant and enthralling as ever, one that is possessed by the spirit of Sly & The Family Stone, but also by the legacy of Miles Davis and John Coltrane — Maurice White and Al McKay have always made patent their passion for jazz and all great African American music. The last time they graced the Jazz à Vienne festival in 2018, the Earth Wind & Fire Experience had the Théâtre Antique trembling with happiness as the audience surrendered itself to the rhythm of a universal groove. Will this time be as good? There's no doubt about it. ‘Be de ya, say do you remember? / Ba de ya, dancing in September’: a universal language!

Line-up :

• Al McKay (guitar)
• Devere Duckett (vocals)
• Tim Owens (vocals)
• Claude Woods (vocals)
• Keith McKelley (saxophone)
• Omar Peralta (trumpet)
• Luis Gonzales (trumpet)
• Shaunte Palmer (trombone)
• Ben Dowling (keyboards)
• David Iwataki (keyboards)
• James Manning (bass)
• Gregory Moore (guitar)
• David Leach (drums)
• LJ Holifield (batterie)

Kiss, Diamonds And Pearls, Let’s Go Crazy, Cream, Sexy MF, Sign Of The Times, Pop Life, 1999, Gett Off… Who better than former members of New Power Generation, a.k.a. The NPG, to preserve and further develop the great funk, soul, hip-hop, pop and rock classics of the brilliant and greatly mourned Prince, who founded this exceptional group on the cusp of the 1990s, twelve years after he first revealed himself to the world? 'Nobody' is obviously the correct answer!
Having the opportunity to see and hear the best musicians — the incomparable MC Tony Mosley, fantastic bassist Sonny Thompson, incredible guitarist Mike Scott, and keyboardist and musical director Morris Hayes, the artist to have served the longest on the Minneapolis native's incredible musical quest — perform this revolutionary music that broke down every stylistic boundary there was will undoubtedly stir some deep emotion. At the microphone, the charisma of young wizard-vocalist MacKenzie will be outstanding, and we are already trembling in anticipation of his communion with his Jazz à Vienne audience when he comes to sing Purple Rain, hymn of all hymns, whose fortieth anniversary we celebrate this year. What a dream this evening with The NPG will be and such a fitting way to celebrate the legacy of a Prince, who was, in his own way — and what a way! — a King.

Line-up :

• Morris Hayes (musical management, keyboards, vocals)
• Mackenzie (vocals)
• Tony M. (vocals, guitar)
• Sonny T. (vocals, bass)
• Mike Scott (guitar)
• Keith Anderson (saxophone)