Crazy Chester: A Very NC Tribute to The Band & The Last Waltz 50th Anniversary tour w/ Wild Angels @ THE GARDEN CLUB

CRAZY CHESTER –

Crazy Chester is the Carrboro, NC tribute to The Band and The Last Waltz. Started in 2020 as a one-off set in Raleigh, NC, the quintet has grown organically in the years since while still centering the wealth of musicianship and camaraderie in the Triangle region of NC. Their care and attention to detail – from the instrumentation and horn charts to attire and presentation, without gimmicks – is a testament to the shared sense of duty to honor all members of The Band and their enduring legacy. All five members are formidable musicians in their own right: Charles Cleaver (Garth Hudson / keys, accordion, vocals) plays in such venerated groups as Fancy Gap, Scivic Rivers, and with the singer-songwriter Anne-Claire; Jones Bell (Richard Manuel / piano, vocals) is the frontman of Mellow Swells; Justin Ellis (Rick Danko / bass, vocals) is one-third of Slow Teeth plus his solo project Ravary; Rafael Green (Robbie Robertson / lead guitar) has his own self-titled band; Rob DiMauro (Levon Helm / vocals, drums) is arguably Carrboro’s most-called drummer. All of them also have worked in music education, impressing upon younger generations the importance of all genres of music.

For the sixth year in a row, Crazy Chester will be performing most of The Band’s legendary farewell performance from Thanksgiving Day 1976, immortalized in the 1978 Martin Scorsese film “The Last Waltz” – complete with additional musicians and special local guests to play the songs originally performed in the film by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and many more. They will be joined by Danny Grewen (trombone) and Georgia Moon (saxophones, acoustic guitar, vocals) for the duration as well as special guests and openers sprinkled throughout the tour. Whether you are already a Band devotee or wanting to witness their vision and energy as a general appreciator of live music, there is sure to be something for everyone.

WILD ANGELS –

At a recent Vagina Monologues-themed show, the Wild Angels shared an original lyric that kind of sums up their whole deal: “my vagina wears cowboy boots and a ten-gallon hat.” Friends Mary Koenig, Connelly Crowe, and Emily Backus are inspired equally by Dolly Parton and songs most likely to be found on a Hit Clip. They have a fondness for three-part harmonies, 90s pop-country, and covering tunes you’d least expect in a surprisingly beautiful way. Say hey on instagram @wild.angels.atl and catch them playing in yards around Atlanta.