High-energy blues you can dance to Thursday in Beckwith Park

Published 10:17 pm Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Dynamic bass-popping blues, with an original blend of funky boogaloo and soul, best describes Out of Favor Boys, which plays the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series for the first time Thursday.

Hosted by Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and underwritten for the third consecutive year by Huntington Bank, the summer concert series this week moves into its third month and the 11th segment of this year’s 12-week series.

Formed in August 2003, the Out of Favor Boys quickly became known as one of Kalamazoo’s most entertaining bands, winning the KVBA Blues Competition that November, as it earned the right to go to Memphis, Tenn., to compete in the 2004 International Blues Contest.

Since then, Out of Favor Boys have steadily increased its already diverse repertoire, as it played festivals throughout southwest Michigan.

Featuring the brilliance of a Hammond C3 organ and blazing saxophone lines, the six-piece band brings incredible energy wherever it plays.

High-energy sets feature original songs and covers from such contemporary acts as Tommy Castro and Tab Benoit, plus traditional favorites like Albert Collins and BB King.

Saxophone player Tony “T-Bone” Sproul, who grew up near Pontiac, says the group doesn’t aim for straight, swampy blues or Chicago electric.

“Our music is the type of blues you’ll want to dance to.”

From the onset, Out of Favor Boys wanted to move the blues in a new direction in southwest Michigan.

Some describe the band’s style as “its own blend of funky boogaloo,” while others call it bass-popping funk.

Some see it as a modern blues sound.

Huntington Bank and the DDA are also pleased this season to present The Lighthouse Chorus, which on Aug. 12 concludes this year’s season.

Performances open at 7:30 in Beckwith Park with lawn chair seating.

In case of inclement weather for either of the performances, Aug. 19 is a scheduled rain date.