67 candles for Jaimoe

We're here today to spread some good cheer for a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. Jai Johanny Johanson, who shared the duel drumming attack with Butch Trucks, has made it to 67 -- which must seem like 1,000 in rock band years.

In a 2009 interview at http://www.moogis.com/ Jaimoe recalled reading Downbeat magazine in high school. "God sent Downbeat magazine to 33rd Avenue High School (in Gulfport, Mississippi) for me and I used to read that magazine from front to back, everything in it," he recalled. When he read how artists like Sonny Greer and Paul Gonsalves in the Duke Ellington band had survived 30 years he couldn't believe it. "That's the craziest thing," he said.

Congratulations, Jaimoe, you've now made it 42 years.

Today we're sharing a clip from earlier this year at the Iridium in New York City, where the Jaimoe Jasssz Band was running through a sweet version of "Rainy Night in Georgia."  These cats are tight.

Besides spinning some Allman Brothers today we have a mind to hear some Sea Level, the fusion offshoot started by Jaimoe, bassist Lamar Williams and keyboard player Chuck Leavell when the Allmans were disbanding following the deaths of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley.

"When you have something that you do well together, know what it is, that's one of the greatest lessons in 40 years," says Jaimoe.  "Knowing how chemistry works."