Double Dose of Blues: From Ma Rainey to The Shadetree Mechanics
The first Friday in February was a busy one for myself and our Community Outreach chair, Christine Zemla. We set out on a night filled with blues music, history, and high-energy performances, starting at the South Orange Performing Arts Center and ending at The Chubby Pickle in Highlands.
Celebrating Ma Rainey and the Blues Tradition
Our first stop was the North Jersey Blues Society’s presentation of Ma Rainey & the Living Tradition of the Blues at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. This engaging musical and oral account of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey explored her place in the early blues pantheon.
JSJBF member and NJBS VP of Education, Charlie Apicella, led a talented four-piece combo through a spirited ninety-minute set. The performance featured songs by Ma Rainey, her recording partners Tampa Red and Thomas Dorsey, and artists she influenced, such as Jimmy Reed, Billie Holiday, and B.B. King.
The band, composed of consummate jazz players, included:
- Beareather Reddy (vocals), who channeled the spirit of Ma Rainey beautifully
- Avery Sharpe (upright bass)
- Steve Johns (drums)
- Charlie Apicella (guitar and banjo)
A slide presentation accompanied the show, adding a visual storytelling element to this well-received performance. Kudos to Charlie and the NJBS team for bringing this entertaining and educational experience to a sold-out audience.
Blue Collar Blues at The Chubby Pickle
From there, we traveled to Highlands to catch another installment of Joseph Vincent Riggio’s Blue Collar Blues at The Chubby Pickle. As we arrived, the host band, The Incinerators, was wrapping up another powerful blues set.
I was particularly curious about how the night’s next act, The Shadetree Mechanics, would fare. Their leader and bassist, John “Elmo” Lawson, had suffered a fall earlier in the week, and frontman Michael “The Reverend” Rochelle had just returned from a hospital stay. Despite these setbacks, I’m happy to report that the band was in fine form.
High-Energy Blues from The Shadetree Mechanics
Other than John having to play seated, the band roared through a thirteen-song set featuring Chicago blues, Texas blues, and Stax soul, keeping the crowd moving from start to finish.
Michael “The Reverend” Rochelle delivered a dynamic performance—singing, playing a conga-style drum and tambourine, and even dancing through the crowd. Backed by longtime guitarist Mark “Redman” Schmalzried and “Elmo” on bass, the group was rounded out by newer members:
- Steve Gotleib (horns)
- Fred Lind (keyboards)
- Brad Lucas (drums)
Their unique blend of styles made for a fresh yet familiar experience. Whether performing Elmore James’ “One Way Out” or Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” their energy took these classics to new heights.
This band truly lives up to their name, taken from the phrase: “Don’t panic, call your Shadetree Mechanic.” If you don’t know what that means—Google it! And if you haven’t seen them perform live, you owe it to yourself to catch them in the future.