_{Antone’s
January 13}

What do Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Tina Turner, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Garcia, Derek Trucks, Phil Spector and Quincy Jones have in common? They have all asked Ike Stubblefield to play keys for them. Though his name was not always in lights, Stubblefield’s fluid style, precise timing and deft abilities have kept him playing for nearly five decades. More specifically, Mr. Stubblefield is a virtuoso with the Hammond B3 Organ, an instrument that is as difficult to transport as it is to play. The cumbersome organ has a surplus of switches and foot pedals to use if the operator is up to the task. Ike has been crushing these keys for the past 46 years.

From Motown to Munich, Stubblefield has played all over the world. He has made himself a staple in Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta. We are fortunate enough to have this unsung hero in town at Antone’s for two nights: one performance with his B3 Trio (Jan. 13), and the other collaborating with Maseo, rapper/DJ of De La Soul (Jan. 14). So ask yourself, when is the last time you saw a master on the Hammond Organ and when will you be able to see one again? If your answer is MikeFlanigin at the Continental Gallery, touche. If your answer is never, see you at Antone’s on Jan. 13!