Best of 2015: Manatee Music: Koko Ray & the Keepers

BRADENTON – On Thursday night, west Bradenton music lovers were treated to a free concert courtesy of local favorite Koko Ray Hansen and his band, live from the big man’s backyard.

For a suggested donation of only $10, guests got to hear a set from local favorite Kyle Shell followed by Koko Ray & the Keepers, along with a bona fide smorgasbord of tasty pot-luck eats that even included real-deal New Orleans red beans & rice, courtesy of yours truly.

Koko Ray and the Keepers

For a while, it looked like rain was going to spoil the fun, but at around 7 p.m., the music gods seemed to smile, as the clouds parted and the sun broke through. Shell, an extremely-talented guitar player and vocalist, is one of the most popular acts on the island and made a rare trip over the Cortez Bridge for the show. He opened the evening with a mellow set, joined by talented conga player James Hershey. Their extended jam on the Grateful Dead’s Fire on the Mountain was nothing short of spectacular and set the tone for what would be a great night of music.

The big man came on around 8:15 and opened with another Dead favorite, Black Peter, and later on even broke out Jack Straw, smattering in some Jethro Tull and other popular though rarely-covered classic rock tunes before closing with the Stones’ Wild Horses and coming back out for a 12-minute jam-style encore at the demand of the crowd of several dozen people who showed up despite the downpour.

James Hershey plays congas while Kyle Shell sings and plays guitar

I’ve been going to see Hansen since I did a story on him back in 2010, while he was living out on the island. There really aren’t many performers you can see anywhere that will give you a show comparing to Koko Ray in either or skill or showmanship.

Perhaps the hardest working man in local music, Koko can be seen at almost any venue that hosts live acts. Whether he’s got the full six-piece ensemble of the Keepers, his Koko Ray Five jazz act, or it’s the Koko & Karma duet, you’re always going to get your fill of quality jams.

Still, nothing compares to the live energy of the Keepers, which Hansen formed after Koko Ray & the Soul Providers–a popular act that featured Hansen and guitarist John Purcell–drifted apart. Drummer Vincent Vingelli stayed on and Koko added guitarist Gary Drouin, bassist Doug Dodson and the unforgettable Einstein on percussion with his girlfriend Karma on background vocals.

Drouin, a slow-handed axe man who adds an understated depth to the music as well as an obligatory jaw-dropping solo in each show, has helped the Keepers overcome the loss of Purcell’s considerable talent. The real difference, however, comes from the addition of Einstein, the group’s executive director of funk. Not only is he quite probably the best conga man on the gulf coast, but the guy can get more sound from a set of maracas than an angry child banging pots and pans and is the perfect compliment to Vingelli’s expert work on the skins. On Thursday night, Einstein even broke out his trumpet, unveiling still another facet of his musical talent.

Doug Dodson puts down a solid bass line that’s as consistent as a Swiss timepiece, while Karma adds some additional percussion from the bongos, as well as some female backing vocals that gives the band another dimension. There’s still no question that the star of the show is Koko Ray, who you’ll see on everything from the keyboard to the acoustic guitar, a harmonica, flutes, a clarinet and, most notably, his sax, which always includes my favorite musical parlor trick in which he plays both a tenor and alto at the same time, blowing the mind of everyone in the audience.

Hansen grew up in Atlantic City. While his mother worked in a casino, he would follow around jazz musicians, learning the tricks of the trade during impromptu jam sessions on the boardwalk during their set breaks at the casino bars. He made his bones on the busy South Philly music scene of the late Ô80s and early Ô90s, playing alto sax for national act Bluesman Willie & the South Street Runners until Willie's passing, while gigging with his own band The Red Tones whenever Willie wasn't on the road.

Local violin artist Undine Shorey

In 1999, Hansen moved to Florida and has been keeping a busy schedule ever since. Thursday’s show was supported by AMI Radio, a low power AM featuring local indie artists, where Koko can be heard hosting his show every Tuesday at 7. Hansen says it was the first of what he hopes to be many house shows featuring jams with local musicians and even other acts headlining the shows.

On Thursday, the Keepers were joined on several numbers by Undine Shorey, whose electric violin added a whole new dimension to their already unique sound. Shorey, a Manatee High and University of Tampa grad who also does occasional A&E pieces for TBT, says she’s working with famed music guru Del Couch to put out an EP in the near future. Lou Harris, jazz guitarist for the Koko Ray Five also showed up to sit in for a few tunes.

From Left: Sullivan Maley, Gary Drouin and Einstein

My 11 year-old son, Sullivan, even joined in on trombone for a couple of songs. He plays in his middle school band and when he started showing some serious interest in music, I sent him to Hansen for piano and music theory lessons, where I discovered just how truly talented the big man was.

You can catch Koko Ray & the Keepers at a number of local venues including Ace’s, the Cortez Kitchen, Island Time Grill and the Freckled Fin. Check out their Facebook fan page for an up to date schedule.

Karma with bassist Doug Dodson