THE KNICKERBOCKER MUSIC CENTER
35 Railroad Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891 (Misquamicut) | (401) 315-5070
Open Today: Open
The club thrived as one of the leading entertainment centers in southern New England, hosting regional and national bands with an emphasis on the blues. Some of the greats that played on the Knickerbocker stage included, Big Joe Turner, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Johnny Nicholas, Leon Russell, Eric Burdon and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 1967, Roomful of Blues was born in Westerly, when guitarist Duke Robillard and pianist Al Copley started a band that played tough, no-holds barred Chicago blues. Making the Knickerbocker Café their home club, it did not take long before they started exploring swinging, jumping blues and added a horn section. Roomful would pack the house every Sunday and still plays their great brand of blues today.
Fast forward and the Café has become the Knickerbocker Music Center, a non-profit organization formed in partnership with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. The mission of the Knickerbocker Music Center is to preserve, cultivate and grow the “Knick’s” unique brand of blues, as well as expanding access to music of all genres, by transforming the Knick into both an exciting performance venue and an exceptional center for music education.
Fleet
8pm
Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8:00pm
The Knickerbocker Music Center. 35 Railroad Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891
Live Music
Opening with Sweet Mercy
Fleet is an indie rock experience from Southeast CT. A stylistically unique band from the beginning, the members of Fleet have been performing, and playing in sync as if they’d been together their entire musical careers. As a sextet, saxophone and keyboard weave between the driven guitars, pulsing rhythm and undeniably catchy melodies. The band, never lacking in versatility, play to the room and can bring the material to its bare, acoustic, bones.
Throughout the course of the band’s union, they have won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life around New England, including Toad’s Place, The Knickerbocker, The Hygienic Gallery, Arch Street Tavern, Stomping Ground, and Revival Brewing, to name a few. Most recently they released their sophomore record, Between Peace & Pressure, and became 2019’s Locals Live Champions at Mohegan Sun Casino.
About Sweet Mercy
Sweet Mercy performs Americana-influenced originals and classic covers from folk, blues, old time jazz, rock and roll, and more. Each member is a seasoned musical verteran. Our affiliations include The Hoolios, The Mystic Playboys, The CBYD jazz trio, and MEN WITH GUITARS. John Speziale and Sandy Allen are accomplished singer-songwriters. We perform as a 3- or 4- piece unit, and, depending on the event or the venue, an all-out five piece band which includes percussion. At any time there could be a dozen instruments on the stage, and we will play every one of them. We’re all very proud to have received The New London Whalie Award for BEST ROOTS ROCK BAND.
Our influences are many. Among them: Dylan, Elvis, Big Mama Thornton, Harmonica Frank, Billy the Kid, Pizza, Ringo, Martin Short, Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Pee Wee Herman, Maine Cabin Masters, Lt. Joe Kenda, Tacos, Burritos, and did we mention Pizza?
Members: John Speziale (guitar, keys, harmonica, vocals), Craig Edwards (fiddle, mandolin, accordion, vocals), Jaime Duquette (stand up and electric bass), Sandy Allen (pedal steel guitar, mandolin, vocals), and sometimes: Chris Gosalves or Ken Serio (percussion), Jim Tarbox (electric guitar).
Show: 8p | Doors: 7p
Tickets: $10 ($2 Service Charge Included With Online Tickets. All sales are final, no ticket refunds or exchanges. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and seats are not guaranteed with ticket purchase.)
