≠ Timbales rumble. The lounge comes alive. Hathaway’s voice cuts through the tension on the album's title track: “Beating of your heart banging like a drum / Next wave sail right over amber waves / They tumble on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on,” and Athens has found the soundtrack to playing Frisbee in grassy fields all summer long. There’s Tin Pan Alley piano (“It’s Alright”) and speaking in tongues (“Mama Shake”) and a return to exotic Caribbean jazz rhythms (“Baby Roux”) that showcases the percussion prowess of Jonathan Solomon. Here’s hoping Hathaway scores a lucrative long-term performance contract at a high-end island resort near the equator that gets several hundred days of sunshine every year.
≠ Since arriving in Athens, Lefty has played with many talented local musicians, establishing himself as part of the hard-working Classic City's music community. Local journalists have coined him as a force on the keys, layering elements of funky jazz tied in with roots-y soul. Lefty and his band have been compared to artists like Little Feat, JJ Cale, Leon Russell, Allman Brothers, Dr. John, The Meters, and even Bill Withers. The debut full length LP "Shacks" (Plough Lane Records 2012) is a barrel house of emotion spawning from an 18 month session at The Quad & Vision Sound Lab in Nashville, TN and Full Moon Studios in Lefty's hometown of Athens, GA. Lefty is contributing to the growth of the Athens music scene as a founding members of Athens Music Collective. The revamped line up features Mike Strickland (Tent City), Clint Swords (The Bareknuckle Band), Avery Dylan (ADP), and Solomon Wright (Ex-Dubconscious, Cherry Royale). Fans that see a Lefty Hathaway show should always expect a little soul, groove, blues, and country at every rocking show.
AVERY DYLAN - Electric Guitars. Avery Dylan is a well known blues guitarist known for his flashy and prodigy-esque playing. A Virginia transplant, Avery has been right at home in Georgia with his excellent sense of the southern rock tone as well as the Delta blues approach to singing through his guitar.
LEFTY HATHAWAY - Pianos, organs, synthesizers, singing songs. Lefty has been playing live in clubs, theaters, and dive bars since the age of 18 all over the US. Lefty has had the opportunity to play his keyboards in funk, hip pop, blues, bluegrass, jazz, country, and experimental projects. In a recent interview Lefty claimed that this current outfit is the best he has ever experience, and pleads for people to come see for themselves.
SOLOMON WRIGHT - Trumpet, Bass, Organ. The newest member in the band, Solomon has become an essential part of Lefty's lineup, allowing our arrangements to flourish in ways that were not possible in a live application with a 4 piece. Solomon is a former member of Dubconscious and currently works with Cherry Royale and Rockmost as well as Lefty's outfit.
CLINT SWORDS - Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar. Georgia native Clint Swords has been a fundamental part of the band since 2008. Lefty and Clint also spent time playing with Betsy Franck (Bareknuckle Band) and Avery Dylan's Project ADP along with Mike Strickland.
MIKE STRICKLAND - Drums. We call him Alabama Lightning. One Fine drummer and happy to have him on board. Mike rounds out the very solid rhythm section of Lefty, Clint Swords, and himself. The 3 bandmates have played in approx. 5 bands together since 2007. Mike also plays with Tent City and the Other Brothers Band.