Like a Boss!
“The Simpsons” vet Hank Azaria, who is the voice behind bartender Moe, Chief Wiggum, Dr. Nick, Superintendent Chalmers and a host of other animated characters, jumped up on stage during a Soho Sessions concert to belt out Bruce Springsteen’s “Prove It All Night.”
Naturally, “The Birdcage” actor sounded just like the Boss as he enthusiastically sang for a starry crowd that included Michael J. Fox, Steve Guttenberg, Susie Essman, Gina Gershon, Bobby Flay, Van Jones, and Don Lemon.
The evening was a rock and blues extravaganza led by Joe Bonamassa and Slash, who brought along Bob Dylan guitarist Larry Campbell for a show that electrified the audience.
Special guests included 11-year-old guitar prodigy Bay Melnick Virgolino, who looked slightly gobsmacked to be joining the Guns N’ Roses axman on a version of the BB King classic, “The Thrill is Gone.”
Harlem-based guitarist Tash Neal, who has toured with Slash and Lenny Kravitz, came on stage for a spirited version of the Stevie Wonder classic, “Livin’ for the City.” He shared vocal duties with none other than former “Late Night” bandleader Paul Shaffer who was on the keys.
Neal also sang a rousing rendition of the Neil Young protest song “Ohio,” which many took to be a commentary on the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minnesota.
Nineteen-year-old guitarist Grace Bowers also got on stage to jam with the band.
Finally, rock photographer Danny Clinch — who has shot Jay Z, Bjork, Willie Nelson, Sting and more — put down his camera for a few minutes to play a surprisingly mean harmonica on the Robert Johnson blues classic, “Crossroads.”
The evening raised money for Bonamassa’s foundation, Keeping the Blues Alive, which aims to “conserve the art of music in schools by funding projects, scholarships, and grants that preserve music education for the next generation.”
The Soho Sessions, founded by Nicole Rechter and Greg Williamson, has hosted a slew of musicians championing their pet causes, including Keith Richards, Olivia Dean, Nile Rodgers, and Paul Simon.
