Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go‑Go band for more than four decades is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid ‘70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.
Rare Essence is a consistently combustible live show honed through countless performances. As The Washington Post noted in a 2010 review, “....this band has performed more than 5,000 times. Like so many Rare Essence concerts, it’s easy to believe you’re seeing the best one.”
They have performed with Run DMC, Wale, DJ Kool, LL Cool J, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Ice Cube, Heavy D and the Boyz, Wu Tang Clan, Redman and Method Man, French Montana, Scarface, TLC, Eric B and Rakim, YoYo, Shabba Ranks, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Thievery Corporation, KRS-1 not to mention Chuck Brown, Trouble Funk, The Junk Yard Band, & EU.
“The Wickedest Band Alive” - rap pioneer Doug E. Fresh
Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson - Guitar, Vocals
James "Jas.Funk" Thomas - Vocals
Charles "Corleone" Garris - Vocals
Roy "RB" Battle - Keyboard
Michael Baker - Bass
Calvin "Killa Cal" Henry - Vocals
Quentin "Shorty Dud" Ivey - Percussion
Samuel "Smoke" Dews - Congas
Kenny "Kwick" Gross - Drums
Sittin’ In introduces audiences to new cutting-edge artists. It defies genre, often drawing from everything from straight-ahead jazz to freestyle hip hop and all points in between. There’s an unpredictability to the night, which we enthusiastically embrace! Sometimes you’ll experience a finely tuned set and sometimes you can catch a totally improvised show by seven people who have never played together. The awesome creativity, excitement, and quality always shine through in The Kimmel Center’s informal club-like setting, featuring early warm-up sets by some of the hottest DJs around. And, it’s free!
Be our guest. Come by sometime and see who is Sittin’ In.
#whoissittinin
Doors: 8pm
Band: 9pm
Close: 11pm
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The Kimmel Center gratefully acknowledges Coca-Cola for their generous support of Sittin’ In