By Danny Coleman
June 27th saw the return of Anthony “Big A” Sherrod to the Lauren K. Woods Theatre of Monmouth University for another sold-out performance, sponsored by the partnership of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, Visit Clarksdale and the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music. This was the second time that “Big A” has made the trip up from Clarksdale, Mississippi to entertain a packed house of Delta Blues loving denizens and, as is the norm, he and his All-Stars did not disappoint.
The night began with a warm welcome from the Director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, Eileen Chapman. Several years ago, Chapman, along with Executive Director Bob Santelli, joined forces with Christine Clark Zemla, Education & Outreach Chair, Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, to bring the music of the Mississippi Delta to New Jersey.
Recently Chapman was quoted as saying, Delta Blues plays a significant role in the landscape of American Music. Dating back over 100 years, this music art form has been a major influence for both blues and rock performers throughout the world. She is 100 percent correct!
Following the brief introduction, the evening’s emcee, Danny Coleman of Rock On Radio and WWFM’s Danny Coleman’s Got The Blues, introduced a group of mostly young, incredibly talented performers. It’s unlikely that anyone present realized that they were witnessing the inaugural performance of the Navesink Delta Blues Band – mentored by the uber-talented jazz guitarist David O’Rourke. (Take note: we will be hearing more from them!) The group wowed the audience with their renditions of classic blues tunes with a little R&B and Soul thrown in for good measure. These young adults not only sounded polished beyond their years but also knew the value of what it means to be a performer; they dressed the part and engaged the crowd, creating a fabulous opening atmosphere. Some of their dads were part of the backing band, joined by several moms on backing vocals which also, in this writer’s opinion, allowed them to relax and shine even more brightly.
After a short break for stage reconfiguration and some quick adjustments by sound man on the spot Wayne Kessler (who, by the way, did a stellar job!), assisted by JSJBF Board members Gary Neuwirth, Joseph Riggio and several others, Sherrod and his two All-Stars took the floor and began a fun-filled, rockin’ night of enthused antics, music, and audience participation in a 90-minute set that represented Delta Blues and the city of Clarksdale magnificently!
For those who may not be aware, Sherrod’s sound and music derive from sheer talent. He uses skills, knowledge and styles obtained from years of kicking around in and performing at Clarksdale’s renowned juke joints, honkytonks and other venues, those which have seen and housed the pioneers of the Blues from whom he learned. When he arrives in the spotlight, just like those who came before him, he has very little baggage. There are no stacks of sound equipment, no large grouping of effects pedals, nothing but him, a guitar and an amplifier; in short – bare bones with maximum return.
Accompanied by a bassist and drummer who somehow manage to follow the many curves he throws at them, Sherrod stops, starts, changes tempos, comes to a complete halt to question members of the audience, at times even pulling them out of their comfort zones and onto the stage. Other times he’d disappear into one of the several stairwells only to be heard and not seen, or perhaps reappearing on the opposite side of the theatre – always continuing to play while those in attendance wondered where he’d pop-up next. One particular audience member, Darren Caffrey got a bit more than he bargained for when he continued to sing at a higher volume than Sherrod’s guitar to the Little Walter song, My Babe. Sherrod promptly went 10 rows deep and brought Caffrey onstage, schooled him on some lyrics, and the two comically finished off the classic blues piece leading to appreciative applause.
Sherrod’s actions are typical of Clarksdale’s vibrant music community and its performers. In the words of Visit Clarksdale Director Bubba O’Keefe, We’ve got more characters here than Sesame Street – and when you’re here, you’re part of the cast. Anthony “Big A” Sherrod exemplifies the talent and personality of Clarksdale and its music scene to a tee because once there, one truly can’t help but be sucked into the vortex of its friendly people who epitomize “Southern charm” and a welcoming atmosphere; what Sherrod did was bring a smidge of this Mississippi town to the Jersey shore, showed all in attendance a side of blues music they possibly never have seen. In doing so hopefully he sparked an interest in some to journey to his hometown, where the likes of Sam Cook, WC Handy, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, “Kingfish” Ingram and more created the legends, myths and stories that fueled generations of Rock musicians, from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and beyond, right up to today’s artists.
Once the applause faded away and the theatre was being returned to its original state, a quick message of thanks was delivered by Christine Zemla whose annual sojourns to Clarksdale have helped to lay the groundwork for an event such as this. Upon exiting, both repeat visitors as well as first-timers could be overheard praising the talents of Sherrod, while also talking excitedly about the progress made on the building across the parking lot, which will house the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music. Some could be heard saying that they’d be digging deeper into the music that evokes the history of the Delta – but in fact they may be surprised to learn that blues music is central to American history, and arguably the foundation of modern music in America.
To discover more about Clarksdale, MS, please go to visitclarksdale.com. To keep up with the progress of the archives, please visit: https://springsteenarchives.org. And to support more Delta programming – as well as the many other events sponsored by Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, check out their website at jsjbf.org
JSJBF would like to offer a special thank you to the Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation, Inc. for their generous support of our Mississippi Delta/Jersey Shore programming.