Apr 11

Apr 11 Fantastic Negrito

Blues, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance

Referring to yourself as “Fantastic” sets a high bar. Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz did not shy away from such a characterization, so he re-christened himself Fantastic Negrito. While Dphrepaulezz’s decision exhibits a heathy ego, it also shows that he has a practical side. “Dphrepaulezz” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, nor fit easily on a marquee.

Negrito is also an interesting choice. In Spanish, “negrito” means a “little black person.” Fantastic Negrito is anything but a small person, although he is Black.

Tonight, Negrito took the stage at the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Center for what had been billed as a 90-minute concert. The show clocked in at well over two hours, every second of it a high energy workout. Afterwards, one concert goer characterized it as one of the best concerts she had ever attended.

When Negrito took the stage, my thoughts immediately jumped to Sly Stone. It was the square, oversized glasses that triggered the association. But the comparison went far beyond Negrito’s fashionable, but somewhat dated Seventies eyewear. The man in the puffy, slacker hat exemplified Stone’s high energy, fusing classic rock with R & B.

Although he performed as part of the University’s UChicago Presents Blues series, Negrito would have disappointed anyone who came expecting renditions of classic Chicago Blues numbers unless they were flexible and open-minded. Listen closely, and you knew Muddy and Howlin’ Wolf were deep in the mix, but the mix had undergone a radical transformation. The Artist Formerly Known as Prince had inserted himself, as did Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and any number of Sixties Soul singers. I also heard traces of the Gospel that has its roots in African American churches. Oh, and at one point, I even heard something akin to Nashville country music. Negrito, however, is not a mere appropriator. He reworked all of his influences, creating his own signature style.

With Negrito were Bryan Simmons on keyboards (Nord Stage 2), who looked as if he had just sunk a tournament winning putt on the 18th hole at the Masters Tournament, the unassuming Vincent MacLauchian on lead guitar, rock star poser Uriah Duffy on electric bass, and Graham Station alumnus Brian Braziel on drums.

Over the course of the evening, Negrito treated the audience to what struck me as all self-penned numbers, including Turn the Bullshit into Good Shit; Chocolate Samurai—Eat Less Sugar, Have More Sex; Plastic Hamburgers; Your Sex Is Overrated; Keep On Knocking, But I Can’t Get In; California; Son of a Broken Man; Not His Turn Today; and Two Miles to Go.

Describing any particular song is virtually impossible because everything blended together in a seamless whirlwind of pulsating, high energy sound. Keyboardist Bryan Simmons and lead guitarist Vincent MacLauchian remained calm and stately throughout the set. Negrito, on the other hand, was a wild man, covering every corner of the stage as he danced, twirled, took photographs of the audience with his iPhone, dipped, jumped, and repeatedly extended his arms and hands upwards, sideways, and toward the adoring audience.

While Negrito is a serviceable guitar player, MacLauchian proved to be the guitar man extraordinaire. Some of the credit goes to the Logan Center staff member who was mixing the sound. MacLauchian’s notes were crystal clear and extremely well executed. His effort stood out.

But let’s not forget Uriah Duffy. No muddy mix coming from his bass guitar. Duffy’s fingers enunciated every note. Yes, he provided the bottom, but he also made his bass speak, and it spoke volumes.

Drummer Braziel and keyboardist Simmons were no slouches. Each performed superbly. It would be impossible to find fault with any of the musicians on the stage. For one number, Negrito was joined by Chicago blues harpist Matthew Stoller, who acquitted himself well. I was a bit disappointed that he did not return later in the set.

As usual, the proof can be found in the audience. When the set concluded, everyone in the hall went wild, jumping to their feet, and demanding an encore.

With three Grammys under his belt, Negrito has certainly made it as a performer. But had music not worked out for him, he could have been a comedian or storyteller. Between numbers, he offered stories about his childhood (sounds like a rough one that he overcame) and joked around.

The story on the street for years has been that the University of Chicago is the place where fun goes to die. Well, that certainly hasn’t ever been my experience, but Negrito left no doubt tonight that fun is living the high life on the U of C’s campus.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]