JJ Grey & Mofro at The Garage

Formed in Jackonsville, Florida in the late 90s, JJ Grey & Mofro’s music has been described as a blend of soul, blues and rock. While that may not sound like the most effective style of music to get an entire room charged and excited, this performance completely disputed that.  Their body of work over the last decade is one of deep reflection, soulful vibes and bold musical production – one that pleases. However, it is live that the music is at its best.

There was no hesitation at the beginning of the show, no warm up period for the band to settle into a rhythm: there was a consistent, strong rhythm throughout the main bulk of the set. The performance began by showcasing a few numbers off their most recent album, This River. They were beautifully performed, with JJ’s stirring voice resonating through the crowd and the band’s impeccable mastery of their instruments sounding not in the least bit technical, but truly soulful. JJ’s interaction with the audience between songs came across as genuine, making the night seem intimate and personal. Even when the music and atmosphere were slowed down towards the end of the set during harmonica-infused track Lochloosa, the air was still charged with energy and anticipation. Every song was a crowd pleaser, with an overall mix of old favourites and new releases. When the band’s most popular song to date, The Sweetest Thing began later on in the night, there was a surge of infectious energy from the audience.

The solos of each individual musician went further to highlight the skill and obvious talent they had, especially the lead man himself, JJ Grey. Andrew Trube (electric guitar) and Art Edmaiston (saxophone) were particular crowd favourites with solos that were mesmerising, especially in On Fire, which was only performed after the audience demanded an encore with five minutes of continuous cheering.

With a stand out performance, JJ Grey gained a new fan last night.

Samiha Chowdhury
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

For further information and future events visit JJ Grey’s website here.

Watch the video for The Sweetest Thing here: