BLUE INDIGO • Music available on iTunes
Blue Indigo is one of those things in life that you swear is just destiny taking hold.
The band began when George and “Miss Lucy” (as he calls his weathered Hammond B3) stopped by to sit in with the Sunday night trio at Tokyo Rose which consisted of Carter Beauford, LeRoi Moore, and myself usually playing a mix of R&B and Jazz standards. From the first moment when George’s feet articulated those driving bass lines, it was like holding onto the tailpipe of a Chevy and being dragged around the parking lot. Lightning struck, sparks flew, and what can only be described as nuclear fission took hold. Night after night magic happened. Many were the times Carter and I would play the exact four measure impromptu phrase and turn to each other and laugh. George could seemingly become two people, playing in opposing meters and structures, yet always returning to crescendo behind LeRoi’s exotic explorations and driving leads. Those were glorious nights. (photos)
Yet as life would have it, Carter and LeRoi left the band after a year to form a group with Dave Matthews to go on to well deserved fame and fortune, leaving the spark that was started innocently, still glowing.
Later, Blue Indigo began to take shape again, and after various testings and incarnations another union was formed—with the brashness and commitment that is at the heart of Blue Indigo, but also possessing a decided cleverness and élan, lead by the undauntable spirit of Jeff Decker and the solid support and creativity of Phil Riddle. Again the spark glowed hot and burst into flame.
It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to be a part of this group and I am grateful to them always.
