Music in D.C.: The Chuck Brown Band

Not far from our apartment is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  The Kennedy Center is home to all sorts of performances--music, dance, opera, theater.

Every night at 6:00 p.m., the Kennedy Center presents a free performance on the Millennium Stage.  We recently attended one of the performances.  It was fantastic.

The Chuck Brown Band performed.  Chuck Brown was a longtime D.C. institution who was dubbed the Godfather of Go-Go.   Chuck is gone but his band lives on, with some of his children performing as musicians and singers.  

Chuck Brown (1936-20012)

Go-Go music is a D.C. version of funk played by a large ensemble of singers and musicians, including a horn section.  Once the music starts, it does not end until the band leaves the stage.  The rhythm section plays a non-stop beat and each song flows into the next, while the crowd dances without stopping and sings along with the band.   

The performance at the Kennedy Center was no exception. A large open area in front of the stage was filled with dancing guests for the entire performance.  Young and old, locals and tourists all had a very good time.  

To see the band's performance at the Kennedy Center, click here.

If you want to see Chuck Brown in action, you can check out a 1979 performance by clicking here.

Thanks for joining us to the see Chuck Brown Band.