Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings To Share Bill With James Hunter (solo) At The Crystal Ballroom – April 1st

The Crystal Ballroom welcomes a pair of performers on Tuesday, April 1st who have been lighting up stages around the world and may be remembered for their spectacular recently at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Together for one night in Portland, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, with a special solo appearance by James Hunter.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings are already well known as one of the most exciting acts in the nation for both their explosive live shows and their prolific output of gritty studio recordings. The band has come a long way since their humble beginnings, steeped within the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul and funk, this nine-piece Brooklyn collective has continued to electrify fans, disc jockeys, critics, record collectors, and bloggers the world-over with their authentic, heart-felt sound. Their albums recall an analog era led by iconic studios like those at Motown and Stax Records, and have thrust the Augusta, GA native and crew into the multimedia limelight

James Hunter was born into a working–class family in Colchester, Essex. “It wasn’t quite like growing up with the blues in Alabama, but in my part of England, anywhere south of Watford would be considered Alabama,” he notes. “In the States, you’ve got the Mason– Dixon Line and in England, we’ve got the Watford Gap.”  Among James’ earliest musical influences was a collection of 78 r.p.m. records of Fifties rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm & blues , and that passion for the music of the Fifties and Sixties never waned. He has worked on bills with artists like Van Morrison, Etta James, Boz Scaggs, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson and has been nominated for Grammy Awards. Van Morrison has called him, “one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul. With his most recent string of performances, James Hunter is a secret no more.

The Crystal Ballroom is located at 1332 W Burnside. This is a 8:00 pm show and all ages are welcome. Tickets can be purchased at etix.com for $25.00 advance and $30.00 day of show.