“We’re 50-percent of Firecracker Jazz Band, so I guess we’re The 50-percent Band,” quipped drummer Michael Gray around 12:30 p.m. today.
The trio (including Henry Westmoreland on tuba and Je Widenhouse on trumpet) played a few songs outside of Xpress’ offices on Wall Street before police asked them to move on. Reportedly, an area merchant complained about the noise. The band relocated to Pritchard Park: the show must go on.
Hear the full band at Town Pump (135 Cherry St., Black Mountain, 669-4808) on Saturday, March 14, 9 p.m.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall
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7 thoughts on “This is how you busk”
Chad Nesbitt
There one of the best bands in Asheville.
The business owner should have not called the police. Their music would have brought customers to their store.
Many folks come downtown because of it’s lively street scene, interesting characters, and great music……and then they do some shopping while they’re there.
jen
There are a couple businesses on wall street that I could see asking them to stop playing..no names mentioned. They have no tolerance for noise of joy.
xis333
I wish the story would’ve named the store who complained…so I won’t shop there
James Fisher
My office is right above this spot. It was a boost of energy on a sweet early spring day. We were dancing while we worked up here – ’til the man came and made ’em shuffle down the line!
Rob Close
Good Lord, do business owners really want to drive away what makes our city charming?
Thanks for great music, guys! You’ve truly become one of Asheville’s treasures!
There one of the best bands in Asheville.
The business owner should have not called the police. Their music would have brought customers to their store.
I’m headed to Pritchard Park to jam!
The drummer is using a traditional grip, but doing it left handed on a kit set up for right handers. Weird, but cool.
I wondered who the dude pulling a Sousaphone out of the back of his car near Subway was today…know I know.
I agree Chad.
Many folks come downtown because of it’s lively street scene, interesting characters, and great music……and then they do some shopping while they’re there.
There are a couple businesses on wall street that I could see asking them to stop playing..no names mentioned. They have no tolerance for noise of joy.
I wish the story would’ve named the store who complained…so I won’t shop there
My office is right above this spot. It was a boost of energy on a sweet early spring day. We were dancing while we worked up here – ’til the man came and made ’em shuffle down the line!
Good Lord, do business owners really want to drive away what makes our city charming?
Thanks for great music, guys! You’ve truly become one of Asheville’s treasures!