Some of Memphis’ finest players recently got hand-picked by
music author Peter Guralnick to support the giants of music at a Sam Cooke
Tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s American Masters series in
Cleveland.
A week later, we interviewed the principals by phone about their experiences. Memphis sax
aficionado Jim Spake put together what he calls “the Usual Suspects” as the
house band to back up such luminaries as Otis Clay, Elvis Costello, Solomon
Burke, and Aretha Franklin last weekend. The Suspects included Steve Potts on
drums; Michael Toles on guitar; Jimmy Kinard on bass; Kirk Smothers on baritone;
Scott Thompson on trumpet; Jack Hall on trombone; and Jim Spake on saxophone as
well as Lester Snell doing the arranging. Forget the Grammys; being chosen by
America’s foremost music author to act as house band some of the giants of music
history is the ultimate musician’s award!
How did Spake and the band handle it? “Not only did the
guys do a great job, but they were also wowed by the experience,” Spake raved.
And what would be the highlight of playing with the Dixie Hummingbirds, Lou
Rawls, Taj Mahal, and Cissy Houston as well as the above listed masters and
mistresses? “I’m a big Elvis Costello fan. He involved himself so much with the
band, talking about what he would like. He was so focused on what he wanted.
Everyone was great. Taj was cool! William Bell sang “Having a Party” and “You
Send Me,” and everyone came out and played for that.”
Not a bad gig for one of Memphis’ most
take-it-all-in-stride musicians. Spake has been playing saxophone for over 30
years in Memphis (“Most of my life”). Asked what his most memorable or best gig
has been, Spake said, “Maybe this one since it is my most recent.” Certainly it
would be better than his first professional gig, playing with his high school
band, Framus, at a high school dance. You can currently catch Spake at one of
his regular gigs at Fresh Slices with Jim Duckworth on Tuesdays or with Eddie
Floyd Friday nights at the Pyramid.
The Sam Cooke Tribute in Cleveland was a part of the
release program of the long-anticipated book written by Guralnick, who will be
signing copies of Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke at the Stax
Museum Friday, November 18 from 7-9 p.m.