A special guest is coming to the Light of Day Clarence Clemons tribute night, Wednesday, Jan 11 at the Cutting Room in New York City.
Jake Clemons.
Clemons, Clarence Clemons’ nephew and his replacement on saxophone in the E Street Band, has been added to the bill. The younger Clemons is also a solo artist and he’ll play with his own band at the Clemons tribute. Clemons is about to release a new album, “Fear & Love,” on Friday, Jan. 13.
A preview track, “A Little Bit Sweet,” is a pleasant touch of soulful rock with a feeling of funk and groove. Check out jakeclemons.com for a listen. The album was originally going to be released in August but something came up -- marathon concerts on the Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band River Tour 2016.
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“‘Fear & Love’ is a journey that forges through loss and hardship and attempts to reconcile those challenges until finding its way to the freedom of being vulnerable and honest, mostly with yourself,” said Clemons in a statement. “The song ‘A Little Bit Sweet,’ sits just on the other side of those losses, recognizing that yes, life is bittersweet … but a little bit sweet makes it better.”
The Light of Day Clemons tribute show will also feature JT Bowen, frontman for Clarence Clemons’ former band the Red Bank Rockers, performing the Rockers’ album “Rescue” in its entirety. Clips from the Clemons documentary “Who Do You Think I Am?” will be shown. Willie Nile, Hollis Brown, the Weeklings, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, Jeffrey Gaines and Chuck Prophet will also perform. Tickets are 45 to $75 with $20 food and drink minimum. Visit thecuttingroomnyc.com for more info.
The annual Light of Day Winterfest, which raises funds in the fight against Parkinson’s and related diseases, begins Sunday, Jan. 8 in Asbury Park and there are shows in Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. Visit Lightofday.org for more info.
Clarence Clemons passed away at the age of 69 in June of 2011 due to complications of a stroke. His birthday, Jan. 11, is Clarence Clemons Day in the state of New Jersey.
Gary U.S. Bonds will headline the 5th annual Big Man’s Birthday Bash, Saturday, Jan 7 at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. Bowen; Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, Clemons’ former bandmate in the E Street Band; John Cafferty and Michael “Tunes” Antunes; John Eddie and His Dirty Ol’ Band; the BIG RoaD All Star Band; Ricky Byrd; and the Nick Clemons Band, fronted by Clemons’ son, Nick Clemons, are also on the bill of the day-long show.
The event will benefit the CFC Loud N Clear and TOPAC (The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation) groups, both Jersey-based non-profit organizations that support those addicted to drugs. Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 on the day of show. Visit big-road.ticketleap.com for tickets.
Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com