Average White Band Brings Soul to The Suffolk

Suffolk Theater presents three time Grammy-nominated Average White Band on Saturday, September 16, at 8 p.m. Regarded as one of the top soul, R&B, jazz-funk groups of all time, and first known for the timeless instrumental hit “Pick Up the Pieces,” the band’s future would lie in its diverse songwriting and unique approach to rhythm and blues. With multiple gold and platinum albums and three Grammy nominations on the legendary Atlantic label, they were the first Brits to simultaneously top the U.S. Top 100 Singles, Albums and R&B charts before going on to similar U.K. and international honors.

Ironically, given their Scottish roots, the six-piece band took the instrumental cues of U.S. jazz giants Adderley, Hancock, Sample, Shorter & Co., and the soulful influences of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder to create its own authentic R&B blend, which, with the tongue-in-cheek name, happily surprised both Black and white audiences alike.

This uncanny paradox led to AWB’s early inclusion on Soul Train, where its two famed appearances are still much viewed; doubtless it was partly why the music was featured in so many big movies: “Swingers,” “Private Parts,” “Superman 2” and “Starsky & Hutch” to a few standouts.

While ensuing singles had major chart action around the world, album cuts such as “Schoolboy Crush,” “Person to Person,” and “I’m the One” are still hailed as essential grooves. Fast-forward two decades and AWB’s unlikely contribution to hip-hop, rap, and modern R&B was sealed by the massive use of their samples right up to today. Throughout, ballads such as “A Love of Your Own,” “Cloudy,” and “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” would stand out as some of the finest soul tracks ever recorded.

AWB’s most recent release is 2018’s “Inside Out,” a collection of all new studio tracks and versions of AWB favorites recorded live with a five-piece horn section.

With Scots originals Alan Gorrie (vocals, bass, guitar) and Onnie McIntyre (guitar) alongside U.S. heavies Freddy V. (tenor sax), Clif Lyons (alto sax), Rob Aries (keys, bass), Rocky Bryant (drums), and Brent Carter (vocals), Average White Band continues its deserved place at the pinnacle of live soul and funk music to the delight of widely eclectic and multi-generational audiences everywhere.

Tickets are $85 to $110 at thesuffolk.org. Suffolk Theater is at 118 East Main Street, Riverhead.