It’s always kind of special when you mix four great musicians together for an evening and just see what happens. The same thing happened last year when guitarist Nick Colionne and (other) friends mixed it for over three hours of fun. The anticipation was already there as he, Eric Darius, Gerald Veasley and Jeff Golub pulled into town for another special show. The packed house was not to be disappointed tonight as well.        

Nick always plays to the audience, and is the perfect “host” of many great shows. He hit the stage dressed to the hilt in his three piece suit and matching hat. “Did You Know” was a perfect way to start the show, and then was joined onstage by Darius for “No Limits.” The two really played great together, and it was a glimpse of things to come. He then featured John Ericsson on piano, and took over the vocals on “Everything Must Change.” His low range really got the crowd going.

Bassist Gerald Veasley came out and was joined by Darius for a few “old school” songs as they playfully went back on forth on these favorites. He slowed the tempo down with a slow bass beginning on “Do I Do, Forever” which he dedicated to his wife. After a long bass solo he launched in to “Just the Two of Us” that built to an exciting finale. Eric stuck around to play a favorite of his written several years ago called “Just For The Moment.” It was a great up tempo number that featured Jeff Golub on guitar. He then played the title track from his Going All Out release that featured Gerald finishing out the song for a standing ovation from the crowd.

Jeff stayed on stage and started in on “Pick Up the Pieces.” It is always a fun one to hear live as he combines a little funk with a little rock and roll. He knows how to make that guitar scream. The night would not have been complete with out some blues, and he didn’t disappoint by sliding into “I’ll Play The Blues For You.” It felt just like Beale Street in Memphis. Eric and Nick came back out for an Alicia Keys song called “If I Ain’t Got You” that took Eric out into the audience before finally ending with a great solo at the end of the stage that brought everyone out of their seats!

They were all on stage to help Gerald out with “Valdez” and then with Jeff’s “Cold Duck.” It was fun watching the four of them take the lead, then hand off to the other. The real show stopper had to be when Nick took his James Brown inspiration and was sliding back and forth and then into the audience with Gerald. They sang to patrons along the way as well as some occasional dancing as the two of them made their way around the auditorium and finally back on stage. It was so much fun, and the four of them were having a blast. After an outstanding encore, the night was over and the four of them made another lasting impression on this Carolina crowd. It was a great night for some smooth jazz!