free monthly guide to entertainment & more | november 2009 | eujacksonville.com contents 22 27 10 photo by daniel goncalves on the cover features dish pages 3- 13 music in jacksonville page 26 dish update + events The cover artwork was created page 3 history of jax music page 26 hidden gems: mandaloun by Dog & Pony Showprints especially for EU’s Jacksonville page 4 jax music venues page 27 dish pick: taverna Music Issue. We give them page 5 local labels page 28 guide to local farmers markets many thanks! Read more about page 6 local album reviews the force behind Dog & Pony on page 32. page 7 improving jax: rick grant visual arts page 8 interview with jj grey page 31 art events page 9 writers choice: jax music page 31 discoveries in detail at the cummer eu staff page 10 interview with stevie ray stiletto page 32 dog and pony showprints pages 12- 13 conmoto music festival managing director pages 15- 21 music events family Shelley Henley pages 33 family events creative director theatre + culture Rachel Best Henley page 22 cultural events movies copy editors page 22 color purple pages 34- 35 november movies Kellie Abrahamson page 35 special movie showings Erin Thursby life + stuff music editor food editor Kellie Abrahamson Erin Thursby page 24 netscapades page 25 yourjax music photo editor page 25 view from the couch Daniel Goncalves page 25 new dvd releases contributing photographer page 29 book review: get your feet wet Richard Abrahamson page 30 trunk show cafe eleven contributing writers page 30 tsi fashion show Brenton Crozier Emily Moody Jack Diablo Dick Kerekes Larry Knight Liltera Williams Rick Grant Anna Rabhan Liza Mitchell Tom Weppel Ora Brasel Kali McLevy Published by EU Jacksonville Newspaper. P.O. Box 11959, Jacksonville, FL 32239. Copyright 2009. Repro- duction of any artwork or copy prepared by EU Jack- local music november 09 sonville is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/ or omissions, the Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles Follow us on Twitter! Look for @EUJacksonville for publication are welcome and may be sent to info@ Join EU on entertainingu.com. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For in- and @EU_Music where you can get daily formation concerning advertising phone 904-730-3003 Facebook! or email [email protected]. music and entertainment updates 2 NOVEMBER 2009 | eu jacksonville monthly history of jax music by kellie abrahamson in the beginning (1900s-1950s) The earliest fame-bound Jacksonville musicians were James Weldon Johnson and his brother John Rosamond Johnson. James penned ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ in 1900 and it was performed as a poem in 1900 as part of Stanton’s celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Five years later, John set the words to music and by 1919 the NAACP had adopted the song as the Negro National Anthem. The next big break for a local came in the late 20s when Arthur Blake aka Blind Blake hit the scene. A prolifi c blues guitarist and singer, Blake recorded 80 songs between 1926 and 1932, his distinct sound earning him the title “King of Ragtime Guitar.” Very little is known about Blind Blake’s life, everything from his real name to the cause of his death has been debated. One thing is certain- the music he made during his brief career has infl uenced blues musicians the world over. No list of Jacksonville legends would be complete without mentioning Ray Charles. Considered by many to be one of the greatest artists of all time, Charles attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine from 1937-1945. It was there that he was taught to play piano and where he performed in front of an audience for the fi rst time. In 1945 Charles moved to Jacksonville and began performing at the Ritz Theatre where he performed with Teddy Washington in the Tiny York Band. He remained here for just a year before moving on and taking over the music world. the golden years (1960s-1970s) Though there were a number of artists from Jacksonville that had small success stories here and there in the 50s, most agree that Jacksonville didn’t really come into its own musically until the 70s. Classics IV was the fi rst indication that something special was about to happen in the River City. The pop rock group formed in 1965 with Dennis Yost on vocals and drums, James R. Cobb and Wally Eaton on guitar and Joe Wilson (later Dean Daughtry) on bass. Three years later the band enjoyed their fi rst chart-topping single, ‘Spooky,’ followed by four more hits between 1968 and 1972. In 1969, something changed Jacksonville and the music world forever and that was the formation of the Allman Brothers Band. Daytona boys Gregg and Duane Allman had gone through a number of bands (including the Almond Joys) and band mates before meeting Butch Trucks, a Jacksonville native who was performing in a local band called the Bitter Ind. (aka the 31st of February). Trucks and the Allmans were joined by Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson and the Allman Brothers Band was born. The group is said to be the “principal architects of Southern Rock,” their sound serving as inspiration for countless bands jacksonville both here and around the country. continued on page 4 music scene09 Q In this issue of EU Jacksonville, we take a look at the local music scene and where it’s going. But before we dive into our promising future, let’s take a look at the past. To say Jacksonville has a rich musical history is something of an understatement. The First Coast has been home to singers, songwriters and bands that have changed the course of music as we know it since 1900. From James Weldon Johnson to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Black Kids, our little corner of Florida has proven to be a wellspring of talent over the years. To talk about each musical accomplishment Jacksonville has seen would fi ll the next three issues, but below are some notable highlights to give you an idea of how much the River City has achieved... above artwork by dog & pony showprints (see page 32) eujacksonville.com | NOVEMBER 2009 3 While they did form six years before the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd didn’t become a household name until 1973 when they were tapped to open for the Who during their North America local music venues tour. Another key player in Jacksonville’s Southern Rock revolution, Skynyrd produced four platinum- selling albums in as many years, each boasting a Jacksonville and its surrounding areas have a wealth of venues to visit if you’re in the mood for song that remains a classic to this day. Members of some live, original music. Lynyrd Skynyrd would go on to perform in other big name local rock acts like .38 Special and Blackfoot. Rounding out the First Coast’s rock roots is brewster’s pit european street listening mojo kitchen Molly Hatchet, yet another example of Southern (904) 223-9850, www.myspace.com/ rooms (904) 247-6636, www.mojobbq.com Rock at its fi nest. After a few years of performing brewsterspit (East Arlington / Beaches) (Jacksonville Beach) 1500 Beach Blvd. (904) 399-1740, www.hackingcat.com in area bars and roadhouses, the band signed to 14003 Beach Blvd. The home of some of the best barbeque (Two locations in the Jacksonville area) Epic Records and released their self-titled debut in Touring and local rock and metal bands in town is also Jacksonville’s only true blues Featuring original acoustic music with 1978. One year later Molly Hatchet’s sophomore are what you can usually expect to hear at club. Mojo’s Jacksonville Beach location local, national and international touring record, Flirtin’ with Disaster, cemented the band’s the Pit, but you may catch the occasional (there are two others around town) has been artists, European Street is a small venue that place in rock history. punk, ska or reggae act as well. The recently holding concerts featuring blues, bluegrass remodeled venue features a brand new has been serving the community since 1996. and country musicians since 2006. The laid sound board, VIP seating and a wall of Expect to hear everything from country to back atmosphere, fi rst-class grub and top- (1980s-2005) a new generation fame with photos commemorating some of bluegrass to blues to rock at E-Street. Each notch performers have made Mojo Kitchen a While most of Jacksonville’s big-name the most memorable acts to play the Pit’s location is also famous around town for their beaches staple. Southern Rock acts continued on through the stage. For some of Jacksonville’s best cover signature sandwiches and salads. 80s, much of decade proved to be pretty quiet for bands, head next door to Brewster’s Pub. our fair city. Sure, there were a few acts here and there that made minor waves, but nothing truly murray hill theatre substantial came out of Jax until the Miami bass freebird live (904) 388-3179, www.murrayhilltheatre.com insurgence of the early 90s. The fad brought three (904) 246-BIRD, www.freebirdlive.com (Murray Hill) 932 Edgewood Ave. S. local acts out of obscurity including 95 South, café eleven (Jacksonville Beach) 200 1st St. N. The Murray Hill Theatre recently cele- (904) 460-9311, www.cafeeleven.com th whose 1993 single ‘Whoot, There It Is’ reached Owned by Judy Van Zant, Ronnie Van brated its 14 year of giving Jacksonville (St.