10th July 2013 at the Village Underground, London EC2.
Country: United States. Style: R and B.
Line Up: Shuggie [Johnny Alexander II] Otis (v/g), Eric Otis (g), Michael Turre (baritone sax/flute/piccolo), Albert Quon Wing (tenor sax), Larry Douglas (trumpet), Russell "Swang" Stewart (keyboards), Lucky [Johnny III] Otis (bass g), Nick Otis (d), Jon Otis (percussion).
Shuggie Otis in the son of 1940s-70s R and B bandleader Johnny Otis (real name Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes). This father was a Greek American and his mother African American/Filipino. His nickname - a variant of Sugar - was given coined by his mother at an early age. Born in Los Angeles, CA, Shuggie performed with his father’s band from when he was 12. At 15 he made his name with the Supersession Vol II album with Al Kooper. Then in the 70s he made a series of what would much later became cult albums. Dropped by his label he disappeared from view, apart from an unsuccessful comeback in 2001 and this one, which started in 2012. Given his own start it is not surprising to find his backing band - Shuggy Otis Rite - full of relatives: two brothers (Jon and Nick), two sons (Lucky and Eric) and a cousin (Swang).
In this photo: Shuggie Otis plays a Faded Cherry Gibson SG.
More information:
shuggieotisofficial.net/.
