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Five time Grammy Award winner Victor Wooten has been heralded as "the Michael Jordan of the bass" and "one of the most fearless musicians on the planet." His talent has led to invitations to record and perform with such luminaries as Bootsy Collins, Branford Marsalis, Keb Mo, Chic Corea, The Dave Matthews Band and the legendary Moroccan group Nass El Ghiwane, to name just a few. He is also a founding member of the super-group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Gerrard Allman Presents is proud to announce the return of Victor Wooten to Australia for a run of headline shows in May and June 2023. In an Australian first, Victor will be performing with his band of (literal) brothers – The Wooten Brothers. Joseph (keys / vocals), Roy (percussion/vocals) and Regi (guitar/vocals).
For over four decades The Wooten Brothers have been recognised as some of the most innovative musicians in existence and are collectively known as one of the most talented and dynamic band of brothers the world has ever known. Since they were young, the five brothers (Rudy – a saxophonist, sadly passed away in 2010) have been a musical tour-de-force redefining the limits of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock and bluegrass. Sons of military parents, the boys early years were spent living in Hawaii, California and Virginia – where they shared the stages with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, and many others. In the mid-1980s, the brothers released an album as The Wootens for Clive Davis’ Arista Records.
Kicking off with 2 shows at Melbourne’s Memo Music Hall on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 May, the tour also takes in Adelaide’s The Gov on May 26, Freo Social Club in WA on May 27, Sydney’s Manning Bar on May 30 and Lizotte’s Newcastle on May 31 before finishing up at Brisbane’s Princess Theatre on June 1. Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Don’t miss.
Encore
Encore
Grammy award Stanley Clarke was fantastic. His band includes young and excellent musicians. Stanley still top bass player in the world.
The entire show was well worth the price of admission. Bring in other jazz acts of this caliber and I'll be in the house. Thought I was in Vegas.
VICTOR WOOTEN: Wow !!!! What a show. You literally knocked my socks off. I still cannot believe what I saw you do on that bass....I am astouned. 1. First of all, I am so impressed with the sound mix you guys had. You guys had a perfect mix...nobody was too loud...and your bass sounded absolutely fabulous. You guys had good dynamics...and actually had a good rhythmn that you could tap your toes to. Your band had a sound quality that was superb. 2. Kudos to you for not being like so many other people who rely on trying to impress people with speed and yet boring passages. You had lightning speed, AND were musically fun to listen to....you had a great beat...lots of times even kind of funky...that was enjoyable as well as (lightning quick) skill. I am STILL shaking my head at what you can do.
Victor Wooten Band was great from start to finish. The musicianship that was displayed by him and his band was unbelieveable. Was a little disappointed at the Stanley Clarke Band, seem like his band members were not sure of themselves at time, and some songs seem as if they were thrown together.!
Even if your not a bass player this concert would entertain you. Victor and his brothers are soooo talented and have a great sense of humor. Stanley was fantastic and the young players were also great. An excellent pick of songs from his career and the jamming, wow. In both bands the musicianship of the each player surpassed anything I could have imagined. I went out of there with a music high.
amazing display of the bass guitar by both masters
I really enjoyed the first half of the show. Victor wooten and his band gave a very enjoyable performance. But Stanley Clarke was way too loud for my wife and I to stay. WE enjoyed the first song when he played the upright bass, but once he played the electric bass it was too uncomfortable too stay and listen to. I was sad to have to leave because Stanley Clarke is one of my bass playing heroes. But the loudness was overwhelming.
This was my first concert and it was way better than anything I expected. It was so cool when Victor brought his kids up on stage and especially when he played with his older son. Victor and J.D. were also really funny! The whole show was awesome!!
Victor is one of the best musicians of the current era. JD Blair hypnotically keeps the beat so that Victor and he are a part of what Victor calls "two minds, one groove." Their performance was energetic, humours, engaging. Victor's technique is amazing and his musicality is inspiring. If you ever have a chance to see them live, I highly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity.
Victor Wooten, JD Blair, their guests, and VW's children put on an outstanding show. Funk was electric, dynamic, exciting, fresh & familiar by turns, and fun. Made me want to dance even though I don't dance. It's amazing what VW does on bass: melodies, double-stops, sweet and lyrical, rough and tumble, short and moderate riffs/licks looped and self-accompanied--mixed, well blended, and served heartily. JD Blair's percussion complemented and soloed with fun-filled funky grooves and playful sounds that drummers (in my experience) don't make. The two were GREAT. Icing on the cake: guests Anthony Wellington, AW's 13-year-old student Cole, and VW's children added spice. VW's son (12? 9?) plays percussion like a pro. They were spectacular. I truly enjoyed the evening!
Victor is a truly amazing artist. His talent is undeniable, but what makes him even more special is you can see the joy he has for making music.
Excellent performance and a great venue. The sound was of great quality.
Victor Wooten is amazing, and the venue couldn't have been better!
I have never been to a live concert and had never seen Victor Wooten live. This show was worth the ticket price and more!!!!! That was the BEST show I have ever seen. I took my fiance as a surprise and he never wanted to leave the stage. Words cannot describe the show that Mr. Wooten put on. Thanks for bringing the show to Bloomington, IN.
Well after many years I finally got to see Victor Wooten play in person at the Variety Playhouse. Later on the Playhouse and surrounding area issues. First about the concert, it was headed off by a band called The Ugly Stick. Until that night I never heard of them and had no idea what to expect, but boy was I in for a surprise. The Ugly Stick is a four man band with a couple of lead guitars a bass guitar and a drummer. Everyone it seems has a good voice when called to actually harmonize. But the band rocked, no I mean Kicked Ass! Everything down to the beat, the guitar licks from lead and bass, the drums the tunes, the songs, the speed of the music and rifts....everything was awesome. I mean even if you were 100 years old from a rain forest you will groove to their beat. They had the house rockin and everyone wanted to shake their hands and meet them afterwards. I for one will be buying everything they made up until their last album, yes I want More! The songs were original and fun and the music was just very upbeat leaning towards rock/country/rap/something funky. Now on to the main event. I have to say that compared to the warm up band the Wooten brothers et.al were a slight let down. Even after owning several of his Cd's and actually liking many of his songs, last night was at best so-so. The original songs on his Cd's were all but absent, instead there were replaced by contemporary remakes from Micheal Jackson and other R&B groups mixed in with some solos from everyone in the band and an odd pace of going from one song to the next. Even the reaction from the crowd was subdued in comparison to The Ugly Stick. Towards the end I was ready for a quick end but instead was treated, if you can call it that, to a solo performance from Victor playing along side of a Canned-beat which also lacked luster. Finally, a warning about parking....the area is pretty much a trap to get towed and pay for your vehicle back. If you think about it, its a pretty good money maker for the towing company/body shop/parking lot owners. Every time the Playhouse puts on a concert they know you have no where else to park but the one or two parking lots nearby. The put up plenty of signs warning you that parking is not free and you will get towed...BUT...they purposely have no one to attend the parking lots. So this means you have a lot full of cars who's only choice is to park there without paying and get towed -or- maybe park a half mile away and walk to the Playhouse risking a stolen car or other. So of course the lot was full and they just waited until the concert starts and go tow vehicles at $140 a pop. Clever plan right, they would only make a few hundred dollars a night if they charged $10 per car, but instead they can tow 6 or 7 and make nearly $1000. Plus being hip to the game, taxi's are there waiting, because they know you will need them. Everyone is in on the money making. The Playhouse draws in the people to an old, dirty building and the Jackals come to feed. Lesson learned, never go to the Playhouse again.
Unbelievable show with Victor Wooten, surrounded by brother Reggie (the teacher), a drummer with a bionic foot and some white chocolate on keys!
Having been bored to exhaustion by Club d'Elf's continuous hour of pointless, soporific wanderings, the venerable Paradise Club was begining to feel more like purgatory, if not Hades itself. Then, like a thunderclap from Heaven, Victor Wooten descended upon the stage and instantly resurrected a musical Eden. Wooten draws a cult-like following who revere every thump from his array of Fodera Monarchs, and with good reason. He is extaordinarily talented, certainly the greatest bass player of his generation. He has all the fluid two-handed hammer-on technique of Stanley Clarke, all the slap prowess of Marcus Miller, all the finger-flying pyrotechnics of Billy Sheehan, and all the experimental groove of Jaco Pastorius. Then he adds his own unique phrasing, staccato articulation and mind-altering chops on top of it. The instrumental virtuosity, a warm, engaging stage presence and ebullient showmanship mix to create an experience that astounds, confounds, and ultimately exhilarates the soul. With his older brother Regi Wooten on guitar, drummer Derico Watson, and keyboardist Steve Weingart, they produced an ensemble sound that was intricate, funky, and syncopated yet seamless. Regi, especially, was a revelation. Victor credits him with being his music teacher, and the elder Wooten's style on guitar is equally innovative, idiosyncratic and masterful. Primarily an instrumental set, Victor took lead vocals for a few numbers, notably on a gentle exploration of humanity and divinity set to a South-African rhythm, titled "I Saw God". Those who witnessed this towering musical prodigy deliver an uplifting, spiritual event last night in Paradise are likely to feel the same way.
There just are no words capable of capturing what a Victor Wooten show is all about. The fact that he is his own bass genius, phenominal musician, spiritual and genuine human being comes close but still doesn't quite sum it up. His brother Reggie equally talented and awe inspriring...Darico on drums, fantastic! Steve from LA on keys, wowzya! Even if you are not a bass player or musician, you really need to experience a Vic show...the message in the music becomes obvious...the love that pours out of that man and genuine interest in his audience is palpable. Ten stars and all thumbs up for the show at the Paradise last night. Spectacular~!!!
Victor Wooten is an amazing bassist and drummer JD put on an amazing show as well! Everyone had a great time and most important the sound was well calibrated to the room and it made it sound amazing. I highly will recommend this show to anyone of any age and i will personally go see him again and again and again...
I love Vic and he is a good friend BUT, starting 2 hours late???????? What, You couldn't get Sly Stone to not show up???? Really.
