Monday, Sep. 28, 2009

Coastal Carolina University brings music greats together

Few in the world can arguably say they can rock a harmonica like Howard Levy.

Thanks to Coastal Carolina University and artist-in-residence Steve Bailey, area jazz lovers can gauge that statement for themselves.

Levy, one of the founding members of the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, will be at CCU's Wheelwright Auditorium on Wednesday evening along with the bass-playing Bailey and Aquarian Rescue Unit drummer Jeff Sipe. Together, the trio could provide one of the better jazz performances the area has seen in some time. And, according to Levy, the crowd can expect the unexpected.

"We're just going to try to put [together] the best possible things the three of us can do," said Levy, who along with the Flecktones was a recipient of a 1997 Grammy Award. "It will be a surprise to us - as well as the audience."

The main reason for that is Levy and Sipe have never played together.

The common denominator is Bailey, who is also an associate professor at CCU and has spent plenty of time on stage and in the studio with both.

He spawned the idea for Wednesday's show during a recording session with Levy in the spring. Once Sipe was on board, the trio was set.

The jazz variety show will include not only the three playing together, but also their individual talents.

For Chicago resident Levy, that is frequently the show in itself.

As well as his skills on the harmonica, he is also an accomplished pianist - often at the same time. It doesn't stop there.

"Howard is a virtuoso on the harmonica and the piano and anything else he happens to pick up," Bailey said.

"There's very few people you can point at and say that guy is undisputably the world champion. Howard, there's no getting around it, he's the best at what he does."

Sipe, who currently lives in North Carolina after spending significant time in Atlanta, has played the drums for bands exhibiting basically every genre of music. He has played with members of Phish, Widespread Panic and Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe, to name a few.

Now, Sipe and Levy will be making their way back to the beach to team with Bailey for the first time together. For Levy, that means a chance to play in front of some of his favorite crowds.

"I'm a fan of South Carolina and North Carolina. It's a beautiful part of the country," Levy said.

"People in the South respond to music in a more heartfelt way. It's not like fans in the north who sit there and judge you."