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Chester County Press

Blues like no other: Jane Lee Hooker to play summer concert series

07/05/2016 10:03AM ● By J. Chambless

Jane Lee Hooker, a New York City-based blues quintet, will perform a free concert at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square as part of the 2016 Free Concert Series.

By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Mention Anson B. Nixon Park to most residents of southern Chester County, and you are sure to hear the fluffiest of adjectives: "serene," "pastoral" and "quiet."

On July 13, none of those words will apply, because the band Jane Lee Hooker will plug in a little after 7 p.m., kick out its first searing blues riff, and the entire definition of what Anson B. Nixon Park means will be torn up for the next few hours.

Jane Lee Hooker, a blues band from New York City, will perform as part of the 2016 Free Concert Series in the park. The event will feature catered dinners from Yo'R So Sweet, and desserts from Sweet Magnolia Bakery and La Michoacana Ice Cream.

With double lead guitars, a hard-driving rhythm section and soul-scouring vocals, JLH honors the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Winter, Big Mama Thornton and other blues greats. Formed in 2013 by guitarists Tracy Hightop and Tina "T-Bone" Gorin, JLH has played notable stages including the B.B. King Blues Club, the Continental Club (Houston), and Antone’s Record Shop (Austin), while sharing bills with Wilco, Beck, Courtney Barnett, and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. The band also includes bass player Hail Mary Z, drummer Melissa "Cool Whip" Houston, and lead singer Dana "Danger" Athens.
The Kennett Square concert will kick off the band's 15-city tour that will take them through the Northeast, the Midwest and as far west as Las Vegas before concluding on Sept. 30 in New Jersey. The band has come through Kennett Square before; they played a sold-out show at The Flash on March 3.
JLH signed with renowned blues label Ruf Records in 2015, and released their debut, "No B!," this spring. Andy Snipper of Music-News.com wrote of the recording, “What a blast! Jane Lee Hooker seem to be all about the best things in blues and punk – driving rhythms, coruscating vocals and tearing guitar riffs … a cracker of an album.”

The concert series continues on July 20 with a performance by Mercury Radio Theater, which combines exotica punk, bizarre radio plays and iconic animations. On July 20, folk singer Angelee will perform; West Philadelphia Orchestra, a diverse lineup of eclectic music, will perform on Aug. 3; and Delaware-based Shytown will conclude the series on Aug. 10.

For more information about the series, visit www.ansonbnixonpark.org/concert-series.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].