From a spectacular show at Chicago’s Bourbon on Division in 2019 to a barn burner at historic Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn in 2023, I’ve had the good fortune to see Southern Avenue play live in some small and intimate spaces. But, as the band continues to gain steam, it seems like these gigs will be fewer and farther between.
That’s why I snatched up tickets soon after it was announced that Southern Avenue would be doing a show at Garcia’s in Chicago on Thursday, July 10th. Like the name implies, Garcia’s is a club that’s been created in the spirit of the late Jerry Garcia and the groovy vibes are everywhere inside this thoughtfully designed space that “marries California mid-century modern aesthetics with a psychedelic flair.” Even the walls can talk about Garcia’s roots with never-before-seen family photos and other relics on display.
The Garcia family collaborated with impresario Peter Shapiro (“Fare Thee Well” concerts) to come up with a cool club concept that remains true to Garcia’s musical mission. This management team seems dedicated to providing a platform that recaptures “the magic of live music that Jerry deeply treasured.” Garcia’s website showcases a diverse roster of musical acts ranging from established jazz artists and popular jam bands to emerging stars from a variety of different genres.
While billed as a blues band and recording with the blues-based Alligator label, Southern Avenue is a band that’s difficult to pigeonhole but destined to raise the roof with every live performance. The three Jackson sisters were brought up in the church and their gospel roots run deep as witnessed by their ethereal harmonies and positive messaging on songs like “Don’t ‘Give Up.”
Yet many of Southern Avenue’s songs have a rousing backbeat that comes by way of their lead guitarist and de facto founder, Ori Naftaly, who was raised on soul, blues, and roots music in his native Israel. When you throw in some soul stew due to the sister’s Memphis upbringing, you’ve got the perfect mélange of music for this day and age. In fact, the name Southern Avenue stems from a street that runs through the heart of the city and straight to Stax Studios.
Southern Avenue has been touring in support of Family, their first release under the auspices of Bruce Iglauer’s iconic Alligator Records. And the title certainly sums up Southern Avenue’s family ties. There’s lead singer Tierinii Jackson who is a whirling dervish of dance moves and dynamic vocal deliveries. Drummer Tikyra (T.K) learned percussion from her brother but has taken her propulsive skills to another level since the band burst on the scene in 2015. Little sister Ava is the most recent addition to Southern Avenue with her virtuosity on violin giving even more depth to their musical mix.
Family is the fourth album from Southern Avenue, and it is their most personal endeavor yet with songs about everything from Naftaly’s rocky start in the US on “Long is the Road” to Tierinii’s rough encounters while busking around Beale Street on “Late Night Get Down.” These two songs were just some of the standouts at Garcia’s with Naftaly letting loose on guitar while Tierinii (his real-life wife) strutted, sashayed, and sang her heart out on “Late Night Get Down,” which she has described as “deeply personal.”
But these soul-bearing songs were just one aspect of their powerful performance as this family also knows how to have some fun. Tierinii was at her sassiest on “Rum Boogie,” which is a look back at the band’s beginnings at this famous Beale Street bar. “I’ve Got a Friend in You” was an infectious number with Ava’s soaring fiddle solo and the sister’s beautiful harmonies being yet another highlight on a night when there were many.
While the set list was heavy on offerings from the new Family CD, the band took on a pair of cover versions from two famous female vocalists. They had the crowd singing along to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” while “Dr. Feelgood” allowed Tierinii to showcase her impressive vocal range on this Aretha Franklin favorite.
There was a diverse mix of audience members at the Garcia’s show with many of the movers and shakers in the blues world coming out to check out this dynamic band. Sirius “Bluesville” DJ Big Llou Johnson was in full blown fan mode and cheering them on from his front row table. Alligator boss Bruce Iglauer was also in attendance as the band sang “Happy Birthday” to him towards the end of the show.
With Southern Avenue doing everything from touring with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan for their Farm Aid shows and preparing to play at the upcoming Notodden Blues Festival in Norway, it was a rare treat to have them play at Garcia’s. But Southern Avenue will be re-routed back to the Chicago area in the fall as it was recently announced that they’ll be at the Prairie Arts Center in suburban Schaumburg on Saturday, October 18th. And, yes, I already have tickets for this. Because this is one band that you can’t miss seeing live.
