From L to R - Billy Cox, Juma Sultan and Gerardo Velez(Image credit: Jerry Imbro)
Posted on 08/11/2024 6:19:40 AM PDT by DoodleBob
The three surviving members of Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock band, Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, recently reunited for the first time since 1988. Bassist Billy Cox and percussionists Gerardo Velez and Juma Sultan, along with Hendrix stand-in guitarist Jimy Bleu, graced The Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, New York, on August 1 and paid homage to Hendrix's impactful legacy.
The special appearances didn't end there, however, as former Noel Redding and Spin Doctors guitarist Anthony Krizan and ex-Buddy Miles Express drummer Kenn Moutenot also joined the lineup.
From L to R - Billy Cox, Juma Sultan and Gerardo Velez(Image credit: Jerry Imbro)
Speaking about the opportunity to perform alongside Hendrix's own bandmates, Bleu says, “Having played with each of them previously and while often being around Hendrix in my youth, witnessing how these three contributed to his stellar vision, the production of the event and bringing them together is a testament to Hendrix's enduring legacy. May his tribe increase!”
The reunion was part of Kiss the Sky, a touring production produced by Mike Gotch Vechesky that takes a deep dive into Hendrix's repertoire and reproduces some of his best moments. These include his appearances at Monterey Pop, his Fillmore East concert, and his The Cry Of Love tour.
In a Guitar World interview, Cox talked about the legendary Fillmore show which became the celebrated 1970 live album, Band of Gypsys. “I looked out on the audience during that first show – and when we hit our first note and got into those songs, people were standing there with their mouths wide open.
“It was funny, the expressions on people’s faces. I think all four of those sets went very, very well. We got enough material and didn’t have to edit anything. We made very few mistakes, and we were feeling it from the head to the toes.”
Hendrix fans can catch Kiss The Sky in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on August 9, with more dates to be announced.
Billy Cox in the background.
I met Juma. He is more of a free jazz guy than a rock guy - this story about the loft jazz scene in NYC is eye-opening. Juma is the real deal if you want to talk to a DIY pioneer who has lots of stories and doesn’t hate everything.
Mr Valez is a common member of the jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra. Cox is active with Hendrix tribute bands via Jimi’s Estate.
Hey,Joe...and All Along The Watchtower. Legendary! Stone Free was great too!
How could snub Steve Vai?!!
The foremost electric guitarist in the world was inspired by Jimmy Hendrix in large part.
You’d have to talk to Experience Hendrix LLC.
They control everything Hendrix.
A shame that we lost SRV. It would have been perfect.
“’Scuse me, while I kiss this guy.”
My favorite Hendrix band was the Experience. I thought Mitchell, especially was far superior to Miles and particularly for Hendrix’s style, he filled it up far better.
SRV had awesome authority!
Before I had a driver’s license, I got a ride home from a couple of older guys in high school. The driver turned around, said ‘listen to this’ and smacked an 8-track cartridge into the player. ‘Fire’ by Hendrix came blasting out of the speakers. I had never heard anything like it. Nobody had.
The driver cranked the volume way up. We cruised down the highway, windows open, Hendix blasting, it was one of the coolest days in my life, still is.
Buddy wasn’t Mitch. But for that brief time after Woodstock, Buddy worked.
The time before Woodstock for Jimi a period of great exploration, experimentation, and trying out new things. The Shokan Tapes and, to a certain extent, Dolly Daggar, are glimpses into what could have been. Drink up, baby.
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