Warren Haynes, John Medeski, Joe Russo, George Porter Jr. & Karl Denson Team For Benefit Concert In Port Chester

Guitarist Warren Haynes was joined by keyboardist John Medeski, bassist George Porter Jr., multi-instrumentalist Karl Denson and drummer Joe Russo for a special benefit concert at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on Saturday night. The “One Night Only..Again!” show was a fundraiser for DEBRA of America, an organization whose mission to is broaden awareness of the rare debilitating genetic disease, Epidermolysis Bullosa, commonly known as EB.

This year’s concert followed last year’s “One Night Only” benefit featuring Haynes, Medeski, Porter Jr. and Russo. Saturday’s performance began with Warren leading the group through his own “3 String George” and “Sick Of My Shadow.” George Porter Jr. then fronted the ensemble on The Meters classic “Just Kissed My Baby” ahead of a take on Allen Toussaint’s “From A Whisper To A Stream.” Denson went on to have his first turn in the spotlight on The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.” The quintet closed out the frame by pairing blues standards “Good Morning, School Girl” and “32-20 Blues.”

Warren sang The Staples Singers’ “Hammer & Nails” to get Saturday’s second set underway. The band worked “Hammer & Nails” into “Smokestack Lightning” and then Karl D. handled lead vocals on a cover of James Brown’s “The Payback.” Next came “Don’t Let Go” after which Haynes led the group on his own “River’s Gonna Rise” before Denson belted out “Let’s Spend The Night Together.” From there, the musicians dug in on Gov’t Mule’s “Sco-Mule” and George Porter Jr. fronted a take on The Meters’ “It Ain’t No Use” that led into a set-closing “Whipping Post.” The quintet ended the night by encoring with Cream’s “Politician.”

Fan-Shot Videos Captured by Scott Gibson

Ain’t No Use

Honky Tonk Woman

The Payback

Whipping Post