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Inaugural Chazzfest sizzles with
a wide variety of sounds
REVIEW SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2006
By DEVIN GRANT
Post and Courier Reviewer
As the sun dipped below the palmetto trees on Daniel Island, blues legend Buddy Guy took the main stage at the inaugural Charleston Music & Heritage Festival, treating the crowd to the sort of guitar acrobatics that have made the guy a living legend.
Across the grounds of the Family Circle Tennis Center, local singer-songwriter Cary Ann Hearst and her band were entertaining a smaller group of fans, while over by the complex's clubhouse the crowd was gathering for the arrival of Southern rock sensation Drive-By Truckers.
If the organizers of the event, nicknamed Chazzfest, had diversity in mind for Saturday's event, their mission was accomplished in more ways than one. Chazzfest featured a variety of genres, including gospel, funk, jazz and country-tinged rock.
The event's attendees were plenty diverse as well, with toddlers to senior citizens walking through the front gates to enjoy a day full of music.
Local gospel group The Plantation Singers kicked the event off at midday, with Lynette White leading the eight-piece choir through an enthusiastic assortment of traditional hymns and spirituals, even taking requests from the small but appreciative crowd.
The Soul Rebel Brass Band strutted its way through a high-energy funk romp, while South Carolina's own Drink Small sang the 'Charleston Women Blues.' Meanwhile, Columbia singer Danielle Howle charmed the crowd at the Local Stage.
By 2 p.m., the crowd, which had been noticeably thin for the first few acts on the bill, had begun to grow considerably. Ivan Neville and his band, Dumpstaphunk, bombarded the audience with an impressive set that at one point featured dual bassists bringing on the funk.
As a few beach music fans shagged to The Catalinas, Leslie rocked the Local Stage, while Karl Denson led his trio through a satisfying set of flute and saxophone-based jazz on the main stage.
The crowd seemed to have reached its peak by the time Sam Bush hit the stage just before 5 p.m. Soon after came sets by locals Gradual Lean and beach music kings The Drifters, which in turn gave way to Guy's blistering blues exhibition.
The crowd began to thin a bit during Drive-By Truckers' set, although the space in front of that band's stage remained jammed throughout its performance. The evening ended with a suitably smooth and spectacular performance by R&B legend the Rev. Al Green, who serenaded the crowd with his trademark vocals while backed by an impressive 14-piece band.
Picking a favorite Chazzfest act would be tough, especially when you consider the caliber of artists that were present. Guy seemed to have the crowd in the palm of his hand from the first guitar lick, as did bluegrass legend Sam Bush, who was all smiles as he alternated between fiddle and mandolin.
Drive-By Truckers and Dumpstaphunk shared the award for the sheer volume of their performances. In the end, though, it was Green who rose above the rest of the day's performers. There is a reason Chazzfest's organizers put Green at the top of the lineup, and the Reverend didn't disappoint.
Chazzfest is the sort of event that has been sorely missing from Charleston, and it showed every indication Saturday of being a success. It will be interesting to see what the Chazzfest organizers come up with for next year's installment.
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Fan Photo Galleries: (by Mike Saia)
Click HERE to see pics of fans who enjoyed Chazzfest !
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Plantation Singers
Soul Rebels Brass Band
Drink Small
Danielle Howle
Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk
The Catalinas
Leslie
K3: The Karl Denson Trio
Sam Bush
The Gradual Lean
The Drifters
Buddy Guy
Cary Ann Hearst
Drive By Truckers
Al Green
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