Slim's
San Francisco
http://www.slims-sf.com/ (buy tickets and listen to Merl play "The Harder They Come"!)
It's that time of year again! Time to break out the boogie shoes and celebrate not only Valentine's Day but also the Feb. 14 birthday of the late organist Merl Saunders. At this year's celebration of his life, Norton Buffalo (harmonica player for the Steve Miller Band), who passed away in October 2009, is also honored. The all-star San Francisco jam band features Michael Hinton (who played with Merl in the Rainforest Band, High Noon, and the Dinosaurs, and with Norton in Norton Buffalo and the Knockouts), Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship), Greg Anton (David Nelson Band), and Banana (Youngbloods). Also on the bill are Tony Saunders, Michael Emerson, Boots Hughston, members of Zero, Lorin Rowan, Doug Harmon, and Steve Ashman.
Last year's Merl Birthday Bash at the Great American was a great time:
Bob Weir stopped by for a killer "Wang-Dang Doodle"
Michael Hinton, happy to be onstage!
Norton Buffalo
Weir, Boots Hughston, Hinton, Joli Valenti
Tony Saunders, Weir, Hughston
For more on Merl Saunders's musical history, check out my tribute article published last year on JamBase.
See you in San Francisco!
