Tue 11/21 @ 7:30PM
A.C.O. aka the Afro-Cleveland Orchestra was a mainstay at the Grog Shop starting at its original location in the mid 90s. Founded by sax player Rob Williams, a veteran of First Light in the 1980s, it drew many other local musicians with its accessible, high-energy blend of danceable jazz, funk, soul, blues and pop an its freewheeling jam-style presentation. After the Grog moved up the street, it still gathered the old gang together periodically.
And, although Williams passed away during the pandemic, the musician who made up the ACO family still host occasionally reunions as a tribute to their departed friend. When they again come together at the Grog shop for an evening of music, participants will include pianist Jackie Warren, bassist Ray Deforest, drummer Gary Naherny, harmonica player Larnie Zellner, and sax player Jim Cirillo, along with “special guests,” likely to include some of the area’s (other) best musicians.