Orton Park Day 2

Once again I got out for two acts on this beautiful Sunday late afternoon into evening. First up for me were the Cash Box Kings Chicago Revue and this year they brought along with them some of our favorite performers like consummate guitarist/ vocalist Lurrie Bell, silky smooth songstress Katherine Davis and rock solid drummer Kenny “Beady Eyes” Smith. Nick Moss and Piano Willie will join us for the first time. A musician of boundless skill, Nick Moss fully understands that he is carrying on the tradition of the bluesmen before his time and folks let me tell you, he Chicago Rips it up. I have listen to and shared his music on the show in the past but live and watching is the way to fully appreciate him.Piano Willie honed his craft with the likes of Jimmy Rogers, James Cotton, and William Clarke and you can see right away way those named would choose him as a colleague. He rocks like Spann, he rolls like nobody’s business but most of all he is just too cool.

Nick Moss

Piano Willie
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Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue totally blew down the treehouse….The funk started and didn’t stop until the night had fallen and the stars took over. I can’t say enough about Troy’s set of music. The whole band is apart of a show that is all out, from shaking their collective booTAYS, to bass players body surfing backwards on the stage while JAMMing, it was the way to end this festival and I would never complain if it ended any event. The outdoors was a wonderful way to watch people connect to this young New Orleans artist sound and spirit, from Marvin Gaye to a 2nd line through the festival goers on their home turf, it was that which you might be thinking and more. It is always incredible when you can match an artist to an area, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are really an extension of the east side of Madison. I and many are looking forward to the next visit and are thankful Troy made it our way to close out the Orton Park Festival.