This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on 07.13.01

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Atlanta's King Johnson funks up its blues
CURTIS ROSS

Atlanta's King Johnson began as a straightforward blues band. The name is a tribute to blues musicians named King (Albert, B.B. and Freddie) and Johnson (Robert, Blind Willie and Tommy).

But when guitarist Oliver Wood (brother of bassist Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin and Wood) and bassist Chris Long teamed up with drummer Greg Baba, the sound took a turn through the Delta to New Orleans. The addition of Marcus James (sax, clarinet) and Adam Mewherter (trombone, tuba) sealed the deal.

The band heads off in all directions from its blues base on this year's "Luck So Strange." King Johnson performs tonight at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road in Tampa. Show time is 8 p.m. Admission is $5. Call Skipper's, (813) 971-0666.