ASC Homegrown Weekend opens with Eric Essix, 5 Men on a Stool

Enjoy an evening of jazz, R&B, gospel and spoken word when hometown favorite, guitarist Eric Essix, reunites Atlanta-based group 5 Men on a Stool for one night only, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, presented by UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Eric Essix & 5 Men on a Stool kicks off the center’s “ASC Jazz Café” series: an intimate performance in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. South. It’s part of the ASC’s Homegrown Weekend of shows, which also includes Rickey Smiley and Alabama Ballet.

This gifted ensemble features the individual talents of its five members (all seated on stools while performing), accompanied by an all-star rhythm section. Prepare to be entertained with a performance in the style of an old-school variety show. The show will be emceed by poet Hank Stewart, who will guide the audience through an upbeat, often humorous lineup of R&B classics, jazz standards, gospel hymns and spoken word. 

Five Men on a Stool features LaMorris, a vocalist in the classic tradition of Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass and Frankie Beverly; Melvin Miller, trumpet; Antonio Allen, saxophone; and the Alys Stephens Center’s own Essix on guitar, along with Stewart. Each artist will be spotlighted individually and also will join together to perform some favorite classic tunes. 

Tickets are $42.50, $34.50, $25.50; student tickets are $20. Come early for cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., featuring live music from ASC open mic winner Gabriel Tajeau; cash bar available. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.