Key West The Newspaper

Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday, January 2 Key West Concerts presentation of “An Evening with JJ Grey & Mofro,” hosted by Key West Art & Historical Society at the historic Fort East Martello’s parade grounds at 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd.

Grey—dubbed “the north Florida sage and soul-bent swamp rocker”—and his band Mofro have toured widely with more than 120 live shows a year, and have been lauded in major media outlets such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal and NPR for their soulful blend of blues, rock, folk, funk, gospel, R&B and Southern-inspired narratives.

The family-friendly concert, which will feature the band’s 9th album, “Ol Glory,” is part of the Music at Martello Series— a program established by Key West Art & Historical Society to promote the arts and bring live music to the Keys. It will feature a “festival-like” atmosphere with food vendors, a “kid’s zone” sponsored by Healthy Start, complete with a bounce house, and a “backyard casual” setup for the early-evening concert.

Grey and his band have played the gamut from local juke joints to major festivals, offering forth an immense stage presence that appeals to roots-rock aficionados and those who appreciate a good funk rave-up. Though Grey is the only constant of this Grey & Mofro lineup, he keeps things moving towards a tight-knit, soulful ensemble not to be missed. His current band brings in both “groove and grace in equal measure,” says the New York Times. “Ol Glory” is an album infused with archival R&B, a studio record that captures the intimacy and fierceness defined by his live performances and is considered the best he’s put forth yet.

Sponsored in part by We Cycle, Wonder Dog Productions, the Eden House, and Shipyard Brewing Company, portions of the evening’s proceeds will help benefit the Society’s educational offerings. A cash bar and select Key West food vendors will be available on the concert’s grounds. Parking will be available for $5 and will help fund the local environmental organization and sponsor Reef Relief. Bike parking is free.

JJ Grey & Mofro starts at 7pm with opening act Kaleigh Baker—a jazzy, blues rock powerhouse—at 5:45. Doors open at 5pm. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 at keywestconcerts.com or at the door for $30. Key West Art & Historical Society members can call 305.295.6616 x 106 for special member-priced tickets and to join KWAHS to receive member benefits. Children under 12 are free. For more information, contact [email protected].

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