Roosevelt Collier Trio Honors Jimi Hendrix in DC

Words & Images by: Stu Kelly

Roosevelt Collier Trio :: 12.14.17
Pearl Street Warehouse :: Washington D.C.

Legendary pedal steel guitar player Roosevelt “The Dr.” Collier brought his trio through Washington D.C. this past Thursday for an evening of Hendrix Meets Funk where the Roosevelt Collier Trio paid homage to Jimi Hendrix at Pearl Street Warehouse.

Pearl Street Warehouse is a beautifully intimate venue where fans are never more than 25 feet away from the performers. The venue joins a growing list of new places where people can go to find live music in the newly unveiled southwest waterfront neighborhood The Wharf. Pearl Street is barely three months old but it has a distinct charm that feels like it’s been operating for years.

Collier could clearly feel the room’s unique vibe and spent plenty of time talking to the audience, working the room and shouting out some of his friends in the building. It was the perfect balance of soul-shifting funk and heart-warming moments of a family room vibe.

D.C. native Sol Roots kicked things off early and brought his soulful blend of rock and blues with reggae influences to an adoring fan base. Sol Roots has a natural stage presence and seems perfectly comfortable drifting away to the powerful places music has the ability to take us. A few days before the show, a rumor started circling that fellow local Ron Holloway would be surfacing and joining the bill. Fans were elated to see the rumors come to light as Holloway not only warmed up the crowd with Sol, but also stuck around for the majority of Collier’s set as well.

After a quick changeover Collier and Co. took the stage and immediately there was a sense this was going to be a special evening. The crowd’s roaring response was indication enough that they were not only invested, but in it for the long haul. It was evident how much fun Collier was having all night, as he would constantly turn to his band and encourage them to take turns soloing. Members of the band channeled themselves through the music and often found ways to push their own boundaries in a fearless pursuit to find those musical pockets of bliss. Collier was all smiles as he captained the ship.

When it came to interpreting Jimi Hendrix, Rosie used his pedal steel in a variety of different ways. His piercing solos were note-for-note renditions in “Peace in Mississippi,” a poignant instrumental number that served as the perfect opener. Additionally, Collier would use his guitar to mimic Hendrix’s lead vocals on songs like “Spanish Castle Magic” and “Power of Soul,” while members from his trio also added some flare on vocals. Other highlights included “Alice in My Fantasy,” “Run, Shaka Life,” “Them Changes” and Funkadelic’s “Good to Your Earhole.”

When all was said and done the crowd was left completely enthralled with the top-tier performance and tribute to the greatest guitar player to ever live. The band stuck around and shook people’s hands and took pictures with fans. It was a truly special evening full of love and monumental musical peaks at a hip new venue in Washington D.C.