JJ Grey & MOFRO, Vic Theatre, Chicago, Illinois

JJ Grey & MOFRO are a jam band that blends an eclectic mix of southern rock, soul, funk, and blues. Forming in Jacksonville, Florida in the mid to late nineties, the band is composed of frontman JJ Grey (mainly vocals, occasionally guitar and other instruments), Andrew Trube (electric and slide guitar), Anthony Farrell (organ), Todd Smallie (bass), Anthony Cole (drums) and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion (trumpet) and Art Edmaiston (tenor sax). Grey serves as the bands primary songwriter, whose creations generally reflect his personal life and his southern roots. Like other jam bands, JJ Grey & MOFRO have built a career based on extensive touring, lengthy sets, musical improvisation, and a dedicated fan base.

We arrived shortly before JJ Grey & MOFRO were about to begin their set, occupying my usual spot of the back center of the lowest tier. The stage featured a tapestry backdrop and a handful of table lamps spread across the stage. The performance used minimal lighting. I don’t have the full setlist but the band cycled through some of their most well-known songs, including  “Your Lady, She's Shady,” “99 Shades of Crazy,” “Everything Is a Song,” “Country Ghetto,” “Slow Hot and Sweaty,” and “Orange Blossoms. Each of the band members were given a plenty of room for ample extended jams. In between, JJ shared some stories of his songs and the history behind them. We wrapped up the end of their nearly two hour set from the balcony, finding a pair of seats in only the second row.