# Our next Blues concert in the EU: JJ Grey & Mofro crossed – A long steaming, carefully composed set of no less than two hours and fifteen minutes – Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2025/02/24/our-next-blues-concert-in-the-eu-jj-grey-mofro-crossed-a-long-steaming-carefully-composed-set-of-no-less-than-two-hours-and-fifteen-minutes-photos/
- Published: 2025-02-24T00:04:43+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**JJ Grey & Mofro crossed the pond again for a large number of concerts in Europe
on the occasion of the album Olustee, which was released last year.**

In February 2024, the popular band released that album after 10 years and (fortunately)
has been touring Europe more often, where many fans are eagerly awaiting the live
concerts.

The band’s strength can be attributed in part to their steaming live performances.
After the release of Olustee, it became clear that JJ Grey & Mofro continue to reinvent
and renew their sound. Without compromising on quality. In this way, the band remains
loyal to their fans.

The Pandora hall of TivoliVredenburg has been sold out for quite some time and the
audience, young and old, is raring to go.

In the past few years, the band has been touring regularly in the Netherlands again
and their fan base continues to grow. This European tour will last 15 dates but 
the band will return in the summer for concerts in the UK.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54337130942_2d45d938dc_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 2")

In addition to JJ Grey on vocals, guitar and harmonica, we see veteran and ever-
smiling Todd Smallie on bass guitar, drummer Craig Barnette, Eric Brigmond on keys,
trombone and vocals, guitarist Pete Winders, trumpeter Marcus Parsley, Kenny Hamilton
on saxophone and percussionist Eric Mason.

The band is completed by singers Katie Dutton and Linzy Lauren, aka the Mofrosirens!

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338252489_ef1d3a8fde_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 3")

Frontman and namesake is John Higginbotham, from Jacksonville, Florida. This Lynyrd
Skynyrd fan has been active in music since the 90s and has been influenced by soulful
artists such as Toots Hibbert, Jerry Reed and Otis Redding.

JJ Grey’s southern roots resonate in everything. Of course we hear that in his beautiful
lyrics, but also in his authentic, soulful music. It promises to be an evening full
of blues, soul, funk and cool swamp rock.

At 8:30 PM sharp the lights go out. The evening is opened in a spectacular way by
JJ; entering on a dark stage with only a dirty intro harmonica for the song Olustee.

Pete Winders quickly throws in a blazing guitar solo and even bassist Todd breaks
with his somewhat passive role and goes for a real battle with Pete! Direct fireworks
on stage!

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338261338_aaf7c7dedd_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 4")

Storyteller JJ Grey has a truly amazing voice and loves nothing more than to take
us to his homeland through his personal life experiences and his love for music 
and nature.

Themes that we hear strongly on Olustee. His recognizable, passionate voice touches
deeply, moves and moves time and again.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54337130727_e81dfae7e1_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 5")

The sound is full-bodied, the two horns add extra spice to the already full sound.
The groove takes over and practically no one can stand still to this music.

The rhythm section lays a stable foundation, wrapped in a very nice groove. This
vibe meanders like a special energy through your body, straight to your heart. The
room quickly becomes one seething mass of exuberant, dancing and singing people.

The fantastic band is truly “on fire” and this is clearly the strength of their 
performance. All band members are given space to excel and there is simply a lot
of fun playing for these seasoned musicians.

And JJ Grey just dances nicely in between.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338454555_51bd39bb82_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 6")

Then we hear that mighty harmonica intro of one of the most beautiful songs ever:
Lochloosa. The room is completely silent as the harmonica sound slowly fades away
and John starts singing. Goosebumps.

We are invited to sing along and we don’t need to be asked twice! The Mofrosirens
also contribute a lot and are allowed to briefly display their vocal skills in the
foreground.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338036126_1035c4fd89_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 7")

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54337130607_8d7b22f8ff_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 8")

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338454400_8cc509556c_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 9")

The song Seminole Wind already sounds magnificent on the album, live this cover 
by John Anderson is even surpassed.

Beautifully sung and especially the trumpet solo is phenomenal and the song ends
with a beautiful piano outro.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338261608_8963abc7b8_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 10")

John also picks up his guitar every now and then, including for a magnificent performance
of the song This River. He talks and sings about (his) alcohol addiction, about 
his ‘river of life’.

His voice is It is so intense and I am moved to tears, the audience is completely
silent. The underlying message is to take time to return to yourself, to reflect
and to focus on the important things in life. We know it, but we do it too little.

A special moment when JJ leans forward to a young fan in a wheelchair. A few words
are exchanged and a signed harmonica, setlist and a guitar pick are handed to the
fan. What a warm gesture.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338036481_50dc8f6611_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 11")

Things lighten up a bit after that with the decidedly funky and especially danceable
Rooster! (What is John’s thing about chickens?) Nicely woven into this song is a
fierce drum break by percussionist and drummer.

It flows almost seamlessly into another funky song: Slow Hot and Sweaty, which ends
beautifully with a jazzy trumpet solo. And we’ll stick with some female physical
aspects for a while with the swinging On Fire.

With a suggestive and juicy accompanying story by JJ.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338252174_322a578b6a_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 12")

Not much later a large part of the band walks off stage and we are treated to a 
nice bass & drum solo, followed by the drum & percussion solo. Class!

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338454735_b14fa00b88_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 13")

When the band returns to the stage after a few minutes, we get another portion of
excellent brass from Marcus and Kenny. Wonderful!

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338252209_eb419d9ee9_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 14")

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338036376_ece52a196f_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 15")

The tempo slows down a bit as the guitar is hung up for The Sun Is Shining Down.
What a beautiful emotional song, sung so intensely and with razor-sharp guitar work
by John.

And Pandora roars along! “Glory, glory, hallelujah, I’m alive…” JJ Grey not only
knows how to touch us but also walks off the stage emotionally while the band ends
this song in a magnificent way.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338454405_d470f8e563_h.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: JJ
Grey & Mofro - TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht 16 februari 2025 16")

Lots of new songs tonight, but of course also songs from previous albums.

The performance of the now ten-person band is just as groovy, if not groovier than
the first time I saw them, in 2012 in the Melkweg. A great collaboration, it steams,
it fumes and it is simply one big party.

The fans dance and sing along at the top of their lungs and can’t get enough of 
it! The evening passes in a daze and I only see happy faces.

A long steaming, carefully composed set of no less than two hours and fifteen minutes,
which is concluded with a cracker of an encore: Brighter Days, the song with which
it all started for me in 2012. The circle is complete.

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338252594_a6dc66695f_h.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

![JJ Grey & Mofro - Photography Marco van Rooijen](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54338261848_dc68b8a53f_h.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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