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Saturday, July 21, 2012

FORMER “DEAD” DRUMMER COMES ALIVE @ THE NEWTON THEATRE

colorphotojayblakesberg7 WALKERS
BILL KREUTZMANN & PAPA MALI

WHEN: Saturday, July 28, 8 PM 
WHERE:
The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring Street, Newton
TICKETS: $44 Premium / $39 Orchestra / $34 Balcony
For tickets, visit www.thenewtontheatre.com or call 973.383.3700

An electrifying hybrid classic of Bay Area rock and New Orleans funk, 7 Walkers is something of a dream come true for former Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and guitarist/vocalist Papa Mali. The dream will also come true for Northwest Jersey fans on when the band comes to the Newton Theatre for a special show that also features Quimby Mountain Band.

Kreutzmann has always had New Orleans in his DNA, literally, as his mother was born there. Thus, whether by accident or DNA, he has always been partial to the city’s music. The Crescent City also impacted Louisiana native Papa Mali who began to forge his own musical identity from early on through the likes of the New Orleans live music scene.

Alongside Kreutzmann and Mali is legendary New Orleans bassist George Porter Jr. from The Meters and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubbard. With one listen to their self-titled debut album, it’s easy to understand Kreutzmann’s enthusiasm about this new project. All of the songs were co-penned by Mali and not so ironically longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

Kicking off the night is Quimby Mountain Band, an eclectic roots-oriented rock band that his rising up the jam band scene at a rapid pace. With a rousing mix of songs, combining a bluesy flair with a funk-rock edge, they have taken Northwest NJ by storm and are ready to take the quantum leap to the next level. The 7 Walkers show, not long on the heels of opening for the Marshall Tucker Band in the spring and several upcoming major dates on the docket, Quimby Mountain Band has also benefited after getting national air time on Sirius XM’s Jam Station.

Photo by Jay Blakesburg.