{"id":27082,"date":"2018-01-04T14:04:20","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T19:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=27082"},"modified":"2018-01-04T14:04:25","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T19:04:25","slug":"on-stage-dukes-of-destiny-becoming-a-kennett-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=27082","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Dukes of Destiny becoming a Kennett tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Dukes of Destiny<\/p><\/div>\n

Every tradition begins with one.<\/p>\n

The Dukes of Destiny, a long-time Philly band, are in the process of establishing a tradition of playing a mid-winter show at the Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>). It started in February 2017 and will continue this year with a show on January 6.<\/p>\n

The Dukes of Destiny, who have been treating fans to live performances of top-flight blues and soul music for almost three decades, are Arlyn Wolters (vocals), AC Steel (guitar, vocals), Bob Holden (drums, vocals),\u00a0Chicago Carl Snyder (keyboards, vocals), Rich Curtis (bass, vocals) and John Colgan-Davis (harmonica, vocals).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking to make this an annual January thing at the Kennett Flash,\u201d said John Colgan-Davis, during a phone interview Wednesday night from his home in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the Turtle Dove Folk Club in southern Chester County was still around, we were always their first concert of the year. We currently play the Meeting House in West Grove each year in October but it\u2019s good to be back with a January show \u2013 and to get a new tradition going at the Flash.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the new year arrives, it\u2019s supposed to be a time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. The Dukes will be saying a goodbye this weekend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be our last gig with AC Steel,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cHe\u2019s been our guitarist for the last 10 years. He also has his won band The Galvanizers and he wants to concentrate on that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be playing a special medley of songs he\u2019s written \u2013 some that he\u2019s been playing with the Dukes and some from The Galvanizers. After this show, our new guitarist will be SJ Kuminsky.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to performing at most of the clubs in the Tri-State area, the Delaware Valley band\u00a0has performed at the Pocono Blues Festival, the Waterfront Jam at Philadelphia\u2019s Penn\u2019s Landing, the State Street Blues Stroll in Media, the Bucks County R\u2019n\u2019B Picnic, the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Longwood Gardens Summer Concert Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the past few years, we\u2019ve had great years,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe played places we had never played before \u2013 like the Philadelphia Folk Festival. We also played places we really love like the Kennett Flash and the West Grove Friends Meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played the Phoenixville Blues Festival and the Paoli Blues Festival. We really love playing the Kennett Flash. And, we love our Chester County crowd. They\u2019ve been coming to see us play for 14-15 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chester County music fans and the Dukes of Destiny definitely have a love affair going.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did the Turks Head Festival in West Chester last summer \u2013 and \u2018Rhythm and Roots\u2019 in Media,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe love the Flash \u2013 the intimacy and the sound system. And, we love what it stands for and what it means to Kennett Square.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love the people of Chester County and I really like the landscape of the area. It\u2019s always a special place for us. Chester County gigs have the vibe of old coffee houses. We put out the energy and the audience give sit back to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audiences that like to get out of their seats and dance are a big part of the Dukes of Destiny live experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get all kinds of dancers at our shows,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing a lot more festivals. We\u2019re back on the festival circuit. I love playing festivals for a couple reasons. You get a whole bunch of people playing together. That takes me back to the 60s and the be-ins back then.<\/p>\n

\u201cSun Ra had said the message that music is the healing force of the universe and you feel that at festivals. And, kids get to hear real music played by real people. With a band like us that plays off the crowd, a festival show is a real exciting thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colgan-Davis\u2019s introduction to the blues came when he was in high school at Central High in Philadelphia and saw the Stones performing with Howling Wolf on the \u201cShindig\u201d TV show. Howlin\u2019 Wolf, whose real name was Chester Burnett, was an American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player who was one of the premier Chicago bluesmen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I saw Howlin\u2019 Wolf on that TV show, I jumped up and said \u2014 this is what I want to do,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cI started playing blues when I was 16. My dad gave me a grab bag for my birthday and a harmonica was in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started listening to blues records a lot \u2014 players like Muddy Waters and James Cotton. I was really into Chicago blues of the 1950s and 1960s when I started. Then, I got into guys like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. One of the first bands I played in was a Philly blues band called Sweet Stavin\u2019 Chain.\u201d<\/p>\n

A while later, the Dukes of Destiny became the main musical vehicle for Colgan-Davis.\u00a0At first, they played house parties in Germantown, generating word of mouth interest. A gig at the now-defunct Taker\u2019s Cafe in Germantown launched their public career<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dukes got together in the mid-1980s,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cSteve Brown started the band and it began with that gig at Taker\u2019s Caf\u00e9. Steve died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 and I\u2019ve been the leader ever since. Steve has always been in my mind. We did a tribute concert to him a few years ago and we still do some of his favorites in our set.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a whole range of music in what we can play \u2014 everything from Chicago blues to old-school soul. What\u2019s great about the Dukes is that we\u2019re a band. We use each other\u2019s strengths. Arlyn and I do the bulk of the singing but everybody in the band sings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Dukes of Destiny \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/j5fM0sugB5w<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Kennett Flash will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 and $22.<\/p>\n

Other shows at Kennett Flash this week are Fabio Mittino & Bert Lams (of California Guitar Trio) <\/u>on January 4, KRush – A Tribute to Rush<\/u> on January 5, and Open Mic with Guest Host Nick Fagnilli on January 7.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Scot Sax and Suzie Brown<\/p><\/div>\n

There will be a homecoming on January 6 when Scot Sax and Suzie Brown return to the area to perform at Burlap and Bean (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) in Newtown Square.<\/p>\n

Sax and Brown are a married couple as well as a musical couple and the arrangement has worked out very well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been together since 2010 and got married in 2011,\u201d said Sax, during a recent phone interview from the couple\u2019s Tennessee home. \u201cNow, we live in Nashville and have two little girls \u2013 Josie and Chloe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sax was a veteran musician who had fronted the band Wanderlust and later worked as a songwriter with several publishing deals. He co-wrote Tim McGraw and Faith Hill\u2019s Grammy-winning smash \u201cLike We Never Loved At All\u201d and his song \u201cI Am the Summertime\u201d was featured in the film \u201cAmerican Pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown moved to Philadelphia a while back to get her masters\u2019 degree in cardiology from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my pre-med degree from Dartmouth and then went to Harvard for medical school,\u201d said Brown. \u201cI also went to Berklee College of Music for a little while. Then, I came to Penn on a cardiology fellowship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started going to hear music four or five nights a week and met all these great Philadelphia musicians. I decided then that making music made me happier than anything else. I started writing songs in summer 2008 and did my first solo show a few months later. I recorded my first EP in spring 2009.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a long time for the couple to get around to making music together.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t involved in any of her records,\u201d said Sax. \u201cCommonly, people start as a musical duo first. We were the opposite.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a romantic relationship first. I don\u2019t think we would have gotten together initially just for the music. Then, when Suzie was going on tour, it was a drag not to be with her. We really love each other \u2014 and I really like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple relocated from Philadelphia to Nashville in 2014 and are excited to return to Sax\u2019s hometown, the place where Brown began her music career and the city where the couple met and first fell in love. In Nashville, Brown practices medicine at Vanderbilt University in addition to making music, Sax makes films and they are heavily involved with raising their two young daughters.<\/p>\n

\u201cNashville is a great place for musicians,\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n

In 2015, the duo released its first album together \u2014 a tasty collection of songs titled \u201cOur Album Doesn\u2019t Like You Either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we played together live, we\u2019d do songs from Suzie\u2019s album and songs from mine,\u201d said Sax, who grew up in Plymouth Meeting and graduated from Plymouth Whitemarsh High. \u201cSo, we decided to make an album together. Our music reflects what our life together is. I provide the comic relief to hers and she adds the serious side to mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this weekend\u2019s show, Sax will be playing songs from his latest EP, \u201cMr. Chocolate\u201d (released fall 2017), Brown will play selections from her most recent album, \u201cSometimes Your Dreams Find You\u201d (released spring 2017) and both will play selections from their discographies.\u00a0 The pair plan to bring in local Philadelphia musician friends to perform in each of their sets.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy album came out in May,\u201d said Brown. \u201cScott played all the instruments on it and produced it. We recorded it at our home studio here in Nashville.<\/p>\n

\u201cI co-wrote a lot of songs with Scot. We had just had our second baby Chloe and was trying to get back into writing. I challenged myself to write a new song every week. After five months, I had a collection of songs that sounded like an album.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs are all centered around love and family. They\u2019re a family of their own. I actually went back and added \u2018Sweet Tooth,\u2019 a song I had written a while ago. Motherhood was the inspiration for the album.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sax said, \u201cI recorded my new album right after David Bowie died. I recorded it at Cartoon Moon, the studio owned by Wilco drummer Ken Coomer. Ken produced it and played drums on it and Phil D\u2019Agostino played bass. It was a power trio.<\/p>\n

\u201cBowie\u2019s death influenced me. One of Bowie\u2019s main things was to never stay in your comfort zone. That\u2019s the attitude I used on this album. I followed whatever creative drive I had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Scot Sax and Suzie Brown \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/72MBXc1iTy0<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Burlap and Bean will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $18 at the door.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of Paul Simon \u2013 especially his \u201cGraceland\u201d album — you should head to the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) on January 6.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

An All-Star Tribute to Paul Simon\u2019s \u2018Graceland\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n

Ryan Tennis is a Philly musician \u2014 a singer\/songwriter\/guitarist who in last two years has mounted successful tours through Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Colombia, and Argentina.\u00a0 This weekend, the veteran musician will present a very special show at the venue in Ardmore \u2013 \u201cAn All-Star Tribute to Paul Simon\u2019s \u2018Graceland\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGraceland\u201d is the classic album released by Paul Simon in 1986 \u2013 an album that featured Simon\u2019s appropriation of South African township music. Kumalo, who was born in Johannesburg\u2019s Soweto Township, is a bassist, composer and vocalist. He has worked with artists such as Harry Belafonte, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper and Gloria Estefan and was the bass player on five of the 11 tracks on \u201cGraceland.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been making music for years,\u201d said Tennis, during a phone interview. \u201cI\u2019ve been chipping away and making music for a while with my band Ryan Tennis and the Clubhouse Band. I also perform as a solo artist with one percussionist. \u2018Graceland\u2019 has been one of the main things I\u2019m working on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started to play, \u2018Graceland\u2019 influenced me a lot. I was raised with \u2018Graceland.\u2019 A few years back, I started to dive back into South African music. Mahlathini influenced me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mahlathini is Simon Nkabinde, a South African mbaqanga singer who passed away in 1999. Known as the \u201cLion of Soweto,\u201d he was the leader and writer for Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, an internationally-acclaimed mbaqanga group backed by the Makonga Tsohle Band. Mahlathini was a charismatic entertainer who performed in tribal garb and sang with a unique basso profundo voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s joyous music and it was at the time of apartheid,\u201d said Tennis. \u201cI definitely incorporated it into our music. It really affected me a lot. I even based one of my songs on a Mahlathini groove.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tennis has organized the All-Star Graceland Celebration (in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.) as a warm-up to an East Coast supporting the January 12 release of his sixth recording, the brand-new studio EP, \u201cTwo Days on the Fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Co-produced by Tennis and Tom Spiker (Calvin Weston, Sun Ra Arkesta, G. Love) and recorded at the expansive Rittenhouse Soundworks studio in the Germantown section of Philly, \u201cTwo Days on the Fence\u2019\u201d features the Bryn Athyn, Montgomery County native and his virtuosic Clubhouse Band — Joseph Keim (drums), Shaun Hennessey (percussion), Brahm Genzlinger (bass), Maxfield Gast (sax), Nate Graham (keyboards), and Christopher Farrell (guitar).<\/p>\n

Video link for Graceland Tribute — https:\/\/youtu.be\/6ij3YVd-ETA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Ardmore will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show and $25 reserved.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall will also host Stiltwalker on January 5.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Light of Day WinterFest with\u00a0Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers.<\/p><\/div>\n

Two years ago, Philadelphia area finally had its own Light of Day event. Now, it\u2019s back for another year. On January 6, the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) will host \u201cLight of Day Winterfest 2017\u201d \u2013 Philly\u2019s third installment in the \u201cLight of Day WinterFest\u201d series.<\/p>\n

\u201cLight of Day WinterFest,\u201d a multi-day festival that will bring over 150 music and comedy acts to 30 venues in three New Jersey cities, New York City and Philadelphia, has maintained a high profile with performances by Bruce Springsteen in 11 of the previous 16 years.<\/p>\n

The Light of Day Foundation utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson\u2019s disease and related illnesses such as PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) within our lifetime.\u00a0The Foundation\u2019s mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families, and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life.<\/p>\n

What began as a single concert in New Jersey has grown into approximately 70 shows in 13 countries on three continents including North America, Europe and Australia. The concerts and the organization began as a birthday party in November 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin.<\/p>\n

Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson\u2019s Disease Foundation. More than $2,000 was raised that night.<\/p>\n

The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park\u2019s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by Springsteen.<\/p>\n

The roster of previous Light of Day performers includes Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Darlene Love, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Garland Jeffreys, Jakob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Pete Yorn, Gary US Bonds, John Eddie, Eric Bazilian, Soraia, and Sharon Little.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s WinterFest raised $555,000 \u2014 a record amount \u2014 to combat Parkinson\u2019s disease, topping the previous year record of $525,000, with the 17-year total topping $4 million.<\/p>\n

In 2015, Billboard Magazine presented the Humanitarian Award to Bob Benjamin and the Light of Day Foundation at the Billboard Talent & Touring Conference & Awards \u201cfor their 15 years of bringing awareness and support for Parkinson\u2019s disease through live music events.\u201d Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran, has been living with Parkinson\u2019s since 1996, two years before he co-founded Light of Day with Executive Director Tony Pallagrosi, whose mother, Dolores, died in 2002 from the effects of PSP.<\/p>\n

This is the first time the Philadelphia Light of Day event will be held simultaneously Upstairs and Downstairs at World Caf\u00e9 Live.<\/p>\n

The Downstairs lineup features Willie Nile & Band, Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, Remember Jones, Ben Arnold & Band, Joe D\u2019Urso & Stone Caravan while the Upstairs roster includes Jim Boggia, Graham Alexander, John Byrne, Nalani & Sarina, Vini Lopez (original E Street Band drummer), Isabella Rose, and Lisa Bouchelle.<\/p>\n

Light of Day WinterFest has gained international notoriety for surprise performances by Bruce Springsteen in 11 of the previous 17 years. In his recent autobiography, \u201cBorn to Run,\u201d Springsteen revealed that his father suffered from Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/p>\n

The event at the World Caf\u00e9 Live will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 Downstairs Only; $15 Upstairs Only; $30 for the whole venue.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are Stratus Quarter on January 7, the Jacob Jolliff Band on January 9 and Megan Davis on January 10.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host Megan Cary with Analog Gypsies along with Kicking Down Doors on January 5 and Steal Your Face Band on January 6.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents \u201c70’s Tribute Revival \u2013 A Tribute to U2, Meatloaf & Journey\u201d on January 6.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) will have The Dream Syndicate on January 5, Satisfaction on January 6, and Damon Fowler along with The Skyla Burrell Band on January 10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Every tradition begins with one. The Dukes of Destiny, a long-time Philly band, are in the process of establishing a tradition of playing a mid-winter show at the Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org). It started in February 2017 and will continue this year with a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[5777,6518,9847,9849,9848,9774,6617],"class_list":["post-27082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-dukes-of-destiny","tag-featured","tag-graceland","tag-joe-grushecky-the-houserockers","tag-light-of-day-winterfest","tag-ryan-tennis","tag-scot-sax-and-suzie-brown"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27082"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27083,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082\/revisions\/27083"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}