The Ringers @ BB King's 2/22/13

It was quite a band and quite a show.  They had to cram as much as possible into 2 hours as there was another show at midnight.  I got there at 8:15 and they were already on.  The encore ended at 10:15.  It was so good.   They actually  had a dance floor.  There were lots of tables on the sides and many people standing at the bar.  I was so greatful for the dance floor I can't even tell you. 

It was 3 great guitarists and an awesome bass and of course a monster drummer.  Michael Landau occasionally sang, but it was mainly instrumental.  It was really great.

The Ringers - JIMMY HERRING, WAYNE KRANTZ, MICHAEL LANDAU, KEITH CARLOCK & ETIENNE MBAPPE

The idea came from Abstract Logix label founder, Souvik Dutta. The concept was to bring five guys together, not to just perform as a super-group, but to work "as a unifying artistic force, one where people put music ahead of their egos to collectively create great music." These five veteran musicians will perform together on new material written exclusively for this band, as well as each individual's solo material and covers tunes chosen by the players.

Jimmy Herring - Guitar
As the founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit, Project Z and Jazz is Dead, in addition to playing with everyone from The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead to Phil Lesh and Friends, and B�la Fleck, has made his indelible impact on the music world. He currently serves as the lead guitarist for the very popular American Band, Widespread Panic and released his second solo album, Subject To Change Without Notice, this past August 21st

Wayne Krantz - Guitar
Krantz released his tenth album, Howie 61, this past April to glowing critical praise. Krantz has played with Randy Brecker, Leni Stern and Steely Dan, among others. Through a succession of highly lauded solo recordings, Krantz has continuously evolved as an artist - pushing himself in new and exciting directions. Revered for his forward-thinking approach to improvisation (brilliantly documented in his 2004 book An Improviser's OS), Krantz has fearlessly branched into new areas, while consistently skirting the edges of jazz, rock and fusion.

Michael Landau - Guitar
Landau is a prolific session musician and guitarist who has played on a large number of albums since the early 1980s with artists as varied as Joni Mitchell, Seal, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis. In addition to his session work, Landau has also fronted several bands including Raging Honkies and Burning Water.

Keith Carlock - Drums
Carlock, an amazing drummer, has recorded and/or toured with such musical luminaries as John Mayer, Sting, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Diana Ross, Faith Hill, The Blues Brothers Band, Mike Stern, Leni Stern, David Johansen and the Harry Smiths, Richard Bona, Chris Botti, Wayne Krantz, Rudder, Harry Belafonte, Oz Noy, Larry Carlton, Clay Aiken, Rascal Flatts, Paula Abdul and Grover Washington, Jr, to name a few.

Etienne Mbappe - Bass
Mbappe is best known for his years with the Zawinul Syndicate. In the 80's he was the masterpiece of the jazz fusion band Ultramarine which incorporated jazz with elements of African and Caribbean influences. He also played with Ray Charles on his last album and is currently a member of John McLaughlin's 4th Dimension.