Sam Pankey Trio, Papa Burgundy

SAM PANKEY TRIO. This trio performance will be another one night only affair of instrumental funk and jazz, featuring Sam Pankey on bass, Gerald Stephens (Groundspeak, FreeWorld) on keyboards, and Ryan Peel on drums.

At the tender age of 17, Sam Pankey was already a professional musician and one of the best bass players in Memphis. He played jazz, funk, R&B, and jam on upright double bass and electric bass with several upstart groups including The 45-15 Rule and Catalina. Sam has been away studying jazz performance at the University of Texas, and he's back in Memphis on winter break to show off some of his first original tunes.

And what a combo to join him. Gerald Stephens is one of the great underappreciated jazz piano players and teachers in a stellar Memphis crop. He has shared the stage with Colonel Bruce Hampton, Garaj Mahal, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Ryan Peel, son of legendary Memphis drummer Harry Peel, has his own R&B/jazz/hiphop combo in which he is both the frontman AND the drummer.

You really should not miss this. Starts at eight, so don't be late.

http://www.myspace.com/4515rule
http://www.myspace.com/groundspeak
http://www.myspace.com/ryanpeelmusic

PAPA BURGUNDY. Papa Burgundy is probably the best Memphis band that you've not heard yet. Composed of legendary Memphis sidemen and young turks, Papa Burgundy is a family affair. You may have seen them haunting the Blue Monkey on weekdays lately. Most easily recognized by the double drum kits of father and son, Harry Peel and Ryan Peel. Bands are begging for drummers, and these guys have not one but two of the best in Memphis. It's just not fair. Rounding out the ensemble are Sam Shoup on bass and Dave Cousar on guitar.

Sam Shoup is a two time a winner of NARAS’ Premier Bassist award, and the current arranger for world renowned soprano Kallen Esperian. He also plays trumpet and piano and has backed pretty much everybody in Memphis. Sam has recorded with Ruby Wilson, Jerry Butler, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Keith Sykes, Sid Selvidge, and Susan Marshall. So he's pretty good, ok?

Dave Cousar made his first mark in Memphis with longtime local favorites The Bluebeats. He plays guitar fluently in dozens of different genres and styles and can shift seamlessly among them. Over the course of the years he played and toured around the globe with artists from Jim Dickinson to Rufus and Carla Thomas, studied classical guitar theory, and recorded with the likes of Al Green, Willie Mitchell, and Memphis chanteuse Susan Marshall.

The band is best described as eclectic. They play covers and originals written by Ryan Peel and Dave Cousar.

$7 Cover. Doors at 7 pm. Show at 8 pm. All ages. Smoke free inside. Beer Coffee and Food. Large patio and deck. 641 S Cooper. 901-278-4994. www.myspace.com/otherlands.