Jacksonville, FL, 19 July 2003 ~ Armond Blackwater.
"Tis better to give than to receive," was admirably demonstrated tonight by birthday boy Jerry Ancion.

Jerry celebrated his 42nd birthday by treating the crowd to a stellar display of guitar prowess.

The spirit of his birth and life coursed through Jerry and all who graced the staged this night.

The contingent of revelers crowded into Cliff's to drink, dance, celebrate with Jerry and cheer for one of the best groups in the Southeast. (That's them way in the background. This was as close as I could get -- even using a telephoto lens -- for most of the night).

Old friends that "Whitey Douglas" has played with over the course of his career popped in to jam once again with their good friend.

Folks like blues harpist Todd Hanson (right) who displayed his solid chops and durable lips over an entire set (that's a lot of blowing and sucking). Todd threw in nice accents and tripped out on a couple of nice solos.

Kenny Holmes (left) jumped the jernt up with his energetic harp playing. Despite the Magum PI shirt and the Survivor Outback shorts, the man can blow sturdy blues.

What I really loved was watching Jerry react to each new set of talent that surrounded him.

As the different cats ascended the stage Jerry adapted his play to the feel around him, naturally, effortlessly.

This was like watching a great quarterback -- Joe Montana, Curt Warner, or for those of us old enough, Joe "Willie" Namath -- as he adjusted to the line-up song by song.

Roger "Big Dog" McCoy (right) jammed in with tasteful, soulful harp licks that clearly come from deep, down inside of a generous spirit.

That was 3 great harp players in two sets. I was kicking myself for showing up at midnight and missing the first 3 sets.

The most understated of the contributing musicians was, naturally, the keyboard player, Chip Coates.

See, keyboard players are always out of sight, back behind a near-furniture store display of lunky organs, pianos, and sythesizers. Never appreciated for their true musicianship, or unflinching support of prancing guitarists who always get the girls... but, I digress.

Chip (left) was tucked back in a dark corner behind his Hammond L-100 Series Organ, vintage Roland Electronic Piano (sweet, sweet sound from that baby), and a Yamaha PSR 5700 on top of it all.

Normaly, Chip fronts his own group, Common Ground, a progressive rock/jazz/blues fusion band, but on this night Chip was content to sit back in the shadows.

The last set got totally raucus. To start, Jerry let howl some spooky feedback. Then, smoothly ripped into Voodoo Chile, a song written by Jimi Hendrix, like a madman. What followed blew the room away. Jerry played as if possessed or channelling.

The really freaky thing for me was that drummer, Tony Marcinaccio, played a faithful, nealy beat-for-beat "Mitch Mitchell" rendition of the song. Knowing what I know about the facts of Jimi Hendrix's murder, his performance was particularly eerie. Tony was sitting in for ailing drummer Mike "Jelly Roll" Rinelli. Tony normally drums with the Matt Rage Band. (Tony is right below the sign and about the saucer-shaped cymbals).

Chip Coates played the first organ solo in this song that I've ever heard that made sense, not an easy feat. Chip's organ playing added fuel to Jerry's fire and Voodoo Chile soared to rival the best renditions that I have heard.

The Sky Is Cryin' is one of my favourite blues standards. I've played it a few thousand times behind a lot of folks -- some great, most not. G-Force played one of the most emotionally stimulating versions of the song ever.

Tracy Graves makes this song come alive, "The sky is cryin', Can't you see the tears roll down my street." And you see the tears flowing around her ankles, hear the pain, feel the hurt... The lady knows hurt.

I closed my eyes, listened, and visualized an entire blues video with Tracy singing her heart and soul out as the rain cascaded down from the sky drenching her white linen-clad body. Tell me that wouldn't draw attention!

Chip Coates threw in another inspired keyboard solo that iin turn launched Jerry into a no-holds-barred set of solos that elated and delighted the adoring crowd.

Jerry further amazed all by leaping from the stage to his knees, wailing a stream of articulated licks and power streams that electrified the room.

Jerry ended the night with the first bars of the Star Spangled Banner and led seamlessly into Purple Haze. Amazing. Truly, one of the best birthday bashes I've ever been to. Thanks to Jerry and particularly to his parents for hooking up in such a great manner.

Happy Birthday, my friend, from all of us at the Cafe' Be At.