February 10, 2008 When Cousins Marry
I took a stretch from my normal focus on jazz, to include friends in the studio to promote their newly released CD, Shotgun Wedding. The group, When Cousins Marry, are talented musicians with a wacky sense of humor - and their songs, all written by members of the band, reflect their humor and unusual viewpoint. So if you're looking for a fun, funny, and entertaining evening of music, be sure to check them out. They played their music live in the studio while I also played songs from their new CD.

The group is based out of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and have played together for over 25 years. They all reminded me of the really funny guys from middle school - and that is definitely a compliment, not an insult. The group consists of Tom Cole on trombone, percussion, harmonica and vocals; Charles Blackburn on guitar and vocals; Jimmy Dickerson on bass, guitar, and vocals; Steve Esthimer on guitar, cornet and vocals; and Spence Foscue on drums, vocals, and congas.

Playlist -

• Shotgun Wedding
• Just Like NY City
• SOS - Same Ole Stuff
• One More Night
• Quiero Mas Dinero
• Another LEvel
• Night to Remember

After the band left, I played -

• Maceo Parker (b. Kinston, NC); Roots & Goove CD; You Don't Know Me
• Frankie Alexander (lives Durham, NC); Mad About the Words CD; That's All
• Maceo Parker; Roots and Groove CD; Georgia On My Mind
• Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong; Ella & Louie CD; Moonlight in Vermont
• Coleman Hawkins; The Best of Coleman Hawkins CD; Since I Fell For You
• Billie Holiday: Greatest Hits CD; Them There Eyes
• Maceo Parker: Roots & Groove CD; Uptown Up
• Bill Taylor (b. Greenville, NC); Music Keeps Us Young CD; I Wish I Knew How it Would Fell to be Free

My son, Will, continues to post in the New York Times about teaching on the Westside of Chicago in the Austin Community. His latest blog posting, "They School", pulls on the themes raised in the song, They School, by Dead Prez.