Kalamazoo, Michigan, mostly rests on the southwest bank of the river that shares its name. Several tributaries feed into the river here, creating hilly terrain that turns the city into a wonder of winding roads, undulating to conform to the natural landscape. Kalamazoo is also the county seat, with both city and county buildings filling downtown, where a maze of one-way streets adds to the congestion. A good summer has brought heavy roadwork, making the city nearly impassable. Navigating to Bell’s Brewery’s Eccentric Café is an adventure, as detours lead past your destination and through acute-angle intersections. But the effort is well worth it.
In the Midwest, beer production has boomed, creating a dynasty of superb craft breweries vying for customers. In Michigan, Bell’s Brewery stands out as a premier brewer, distributing its beers in over 40 states and building on its legacy by hosting concerts in the summer. Bell’s Brewery has created a fantastic concert venue in the heart of downtown. Among old rail service buildings and warehouses, Bell’s cleared land next to their original brewery and built a truly professional venue. The stage is set in the back corner, opposite the building, while trees, benches, and picnic tables give the venue a park-like feel. A raised area near the building offers tables and lights, providing a perfect spot to enjoy both the music and some of Michigan’s best beer.
Tonight, one of the greatest live funk bands on the road today, Lettuce, will be performing in the beer garden under a nearly full moon. This extraordinary six-piece band is on tour, supporting the re-release of their remastered Live in Tokyo album, originally released in 2004. They kick off the show at 8 PM, playing as the sun sets. The band's tight chemistry, built over years of playing together, is clear as they move seamlessly from one song to the next. Each track has its own distinct start and finish, yet the music feels like it never truly ends.
Like the city they’re playing in, Lettuce melds its individual brilliance to achieve a common goal. The band plays with the cohesion of a fine choir, but each member takes the lead at times, displaying their virtuosity honed through years of performing. Lettuce relies heavily on instrumental music, using words sparingly, but the message always comes through loud and clear. How do you review such an incredible group of musicians? All members have either been Grammy-nominated or have contributed to Grammy-nominated projects. Each has worked with some of the biggest touring acts of our time. Let’s take a look at each band member.
First up is guitarist Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, standing front and center, coordinating the action. Tonight, he plays a beautiful Gibson 335, which he uses to maximum effect, laying down soulful riffs before subtly blending back into the overall sound. With simple head nods, he directs the band while giving the impression that he’s simply enjoying the music.
Beside him is Erick ‘Jesus’ Coomes, the band’s extraordinary bassist. Jesus doesn’t just play the bass; it’s an extension of him. He’s toured with some of the biggest stars today, and it shows. His hands glide effortlessly over the fretboard, coaxing out funky, smooth, and punchy lines. Offstage, Jesus is gracious and gregarious, and though he rarely speaks onstage, he chats with fans like old friends. Tonight, his basslines are sonorous and flowing, beautifully complementing Smirnoff’s guitar.
To the audience’s right is Adam Deitch, the Grammy-nominated drummer. His playing is sublime, seamlessly moving from genre to genre while providing both the tempo and the emotional foundation for each passage. To the untrained ear, music may seem to just happen, but musicians know the importance of a drummer like Adam. He holds the structure together, allowing the others to push and pull the music while maintaining a solid foundation for improvisation.
On the audience’s left are Ryan Zoidis, the band’s multi-talented saxophonist, and Eric ‘Benny’ Bloom on trumpet. Together, they form one of the tightest horn sections you’ll ever hear. Their blend of jazz, soul, R&B, and funk punctuates the music, providing that sharp, in-your-face presence so essential to funk. Their improvisations are like a conversation between two old friends, full of unity, disagreement, sadness, and humor, all without a word spoken.
The final member, and the newest addition to the band, is Nigel Hall. Positioned toward the back of the stage, surrounded by a phalanx of keyboards, Nigel is a master of jazz and gospel, and tonight happens to be his birthday. The band is on fire, celebrating with him, as Nigel’s honey-coated vocals grace the few sung tracks. His instrument of choice is the legendary Hammond B3, which he commands with a velvet touch, making it thunder and howl with soul.
Smirnoff lets the crowd in on Nigel’s birthday, and the audience erupts in cheers. It’s humbling to see such a large group of strangers so happy to celebrate another year of your life. Nigel, ever humble, addresses the crowd and asks them to do something for his birthday: “Just tell somebody that you love them. That’s all, just tell somebody that you love them.” A makeshift sign appears in the crowd: “Funky B-Day Nigel.” He introduces one of his favorite songs, and the band lights up the night once again. As the moon smiles down, the organ swells, and the band continues to rage into the night.
If you’ve never heard of Lettuce, the remastered Live in Tokyo is a great place to start, showcasing the band’s versatility and essential sound. For long-time fans, the remastered version rekindles that uplifting feeling that only Lettuce can deliver.
