Concert
Blending R&B, bebop and funk in his piano and vocal stunts Edwin Joseph Bocage – a.k.a Eddie Bo – comes from a family tree of musicians playing in many of New Orleans’ important bands in the first part of the 20th century. Influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Professor Longhair the pianist and singer has written music for Etta James and Little Richard besides playing with Joe Turner, Johnny Adams and the Algiers Brass Band.
Supported by two former protagonists of the original ensemble – drummer Billy Cobham and violinist Jerry Goodman –, the hr-Bigband manages to grasp the very essence of John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra. Led by Colin Towns who used to play with the Ian Gillan Band in the seventies and who recently orchestrated Frank Zappa’s works, Birds of Fire – a Celebration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra joins past and present very successfully.
Edwin J. Bocage – piano, vocals
Louis ‘Red’ Morgan – saxes
Jimmy ‘Bean’ Ballero – guitar
Richard ‘Tricky Dick’ Dixon – bass
Dwayne Nelson – drums
arranged and conducted by Colin Towns
Colin Towns – conductor
Jerry Goodman – violin
Heinz Dieter Sauerborn – alto-, soprano sax, flute
Oliver Leicht – alto-, soprano sax, flute
Tony Lakatos – tenor-, soprano sax, flute
Julian Argüelles – tenor sax, flute
Rainer Heute – baritone sax, bass clarinet
Tobias Weidinger – trumpet, flugelhorn
Martin Auer – trumpet, flugelhorn
Thomas Vogel – trumpet, flugelhorn
Axel Schlosser – trumpet, flugelhorn
Günter Bollmann – trombone
Peter Feil – trombone
Christian Jaksjø – trombone
Manfred Honetschläger – bass trombone
Martin Scales – guitar
Peter Reiter – piano, fender rhodes, keyboard
Thomas Heidepriem – electric bass
Billy Cobham – drums