Watch Trey Anastasio Band Honor James Casey With Joyous Set At Brooklyn Bowl

Late saxophonist James Casey was honored with “A Party To Celebrate The Life And Music Of James Casey” last night at Brooklyn Bowl. An expanded Trey Anastasio Band was among the acts paying tribute to Casey at the star-studded memorial concert in New York City.

The longtime TAB saxophonist tragically died last August at age 40 after a two-year battle with colon cancer. Proceeds from last night’s show and livestream will go towards the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA) and Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH).

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato curated last night’s musical performances, while Radar Ellis spun a series of Casey’s favorite songs. SiriusXM’s Ari Fink served as the host. Brooklyn Bowl owner Peter Shapiro gave a speech to begin the evening before Fink introduced an ensemble led by Cato. The band Louis Cato put together kicked off the live performances with a fitting cover of Sly & The Family Stone’s “Family Affair” considering a number of Casey’s family members and musical collaborators took part in the memorial concert.

The Trey Anastasio Band took the stage after a mini-set of songs from Casey’s Animus Rexx project and speeches from James’ widow, Ayla Cobb Casey, as well as CCA and ABGH representatives. Anastasio, keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, drummer Russ Lawton, percussionist Cyro Baptista, trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick, bassist Dezron Douglas and trombonist Natalie Cressman were joined by Lettuce saxophonist Ryan Zoidis for the instrumental “Mozambique.”

Vocalists Alecia Chakour of Tedeschi Trucks Band and Jo Lampert as well as Snarky Puppy trumpeter Mike Maher emerged for the ensuing “Everything’s Right.” Anastasio then took a moment to express his love for James Casey. “Tonight has been really heartfilling,” Trey said before introducing a cover of Charles Wright’s “Express Yourself” as a song James really enjoyed singing. The TAB set came to a close with a “Rise/Come Together” featuring additional vocalists Erin Boyd and Elenna Canlas.

View fan-captured video of TAB’s set at last night’s memorial concert below:

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Drummer Nikki Glaspie led a set post-TAB mixing gospel tunes, Earth Wind & Fire and Parliament Funkadelic classics featuring Chakour, Hartswick, Zoidis, Cressman, Peter Levin, Nigel Hall and many others. Cato then returned to a close out the evening by fronting an ensemble on Sly & The Family Stone’s “I Want To Take You Higher” and a James Casey-penned original.

Trey Anastasio Band Setlist (via Phish.net)

Set: Mozambique, Everything’s Right [1], Express Yourself [2], Rise/Come Together [3]

• [1] Mike Maher on trumpet, Alecia Chakour and Jo Lampert on vocals.
• [2] TAB debut; Mike Maher on trumpet and Alecia Chakour on vocals.
• [3] Mike Maher on trumpet, Alecia Chakour, Jo Lampert, Erin Boyd, and Elenna Canla on vocals.

This performance was part of “A Party to Celebrate the Life and Music of James Casey” and featured the TAB debut of Express Yourself. Everything’s Right through Rise/Come Together featured Mike Maher on trumpet and Alecia Chakour on vocals. Jo Lampert added vocals to Everything’s Right and Rise/Come Together. Erin Boyd and Elenna Canlas also provided additional vocals on Rise/Come Together.

Source: JamBase.com