Roots music and blues legend Taj Mahal has a brand new album with his Taj Mahal Sextet. The album is called Swinging’ Live at the Church in Tulsa. It’s an extraordinary set recorded at the Tulsa studio best known as the home base of the late, great Leon Russell. The ten songs reach across multiple genres that Taj has explored in his incomparable career, and feature his long-time quartet—bassist Bill Rich, drummer Kester Smith, and guitarist/Hawaiian lap steel player Bobby Ingano—augmented by dobro player Rob Ickes and guitarist and vocalist Trey Hensley.
In a career spanning seven decades and almost 50 albums, Taj Mahal has not only helped popularize and reshape the scope of the blues, but he has also personified the concept of “World Music” since years before the phrase even existed. From a base of traditional country blues, Taj has explored and incorporated reggae, Latin, R&B, Cajun, Caribbean, gospel, West African, jazz, calypso, Hawaiian slack-key, and countless other musical styles into his astonishing body of work. Along the way, he has become proficient on about 20 different instruments and collaborated with a vast range of musicians including the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Angelique Kidjo, Ziggy Marley, and masters from such countries as India and Mali. For his work, Taj has won four Grammy Awards (out of fifteen nominations), been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and was a recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Swinging’ Live at the Church in Tulsa is out this Friday, March 8th. Taj Mahal will join us at Grimey’s (I can't believe I just wrote that!) to celebrate with a live solo performance in the shop next Thursday, March 14th, at 4:30 PM to be followed by a record signing. Taj will only sign copies of his new album. You can order your copy of the gold color vinyl and CD now in the shop or the Grimey’s webstore here for your wristband to go through the signing line and get Taj Mahal to autograph your album! Attendance for this event is free and all ages.
IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION!
Our parking lot is shared with other rad businesses and it is a finite space, so parking is limited. Another parking option is the pay lot behind Elegy Coffee and Mickey's off Gallatin Road, two blocks down the street. Please use EXTREME CAUTION if parking on the narrow neighborhood streets. Too many cars make these roads impassable and result in angry neighbors, the police calls, and towing. An officer who lives in the neighborhood across the street and was blocked by event attendees 3 times last year. We don’t want to anger or disrespect any of our neighbors, especially not that one. If you block driveways or park illegally you will be towed.
Please consider carpooling, ride-sharing, walking, biking, scooting, roller skating, or taking the bus to attend this Grimey’s event.
