Average White Band
The following description comes from the event organizer.
Regarded as one of the top Soul, R & B, and Jazz-Funk groups, and first known for the timeless instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's future would lie in its diverse songwriting and unique approach to rhythm & blues. With multiple gold & platinum albums and three Grammy nominations on the legendary Atlantic label, they were the first Brits to simultaneously top the US Top 100 Singles, Albums and R&B charts, before going on to similar UK and international honors.
Ironically, given their Scottish roots, the six-piece took the instrumental cues of US Jazz giants Adderley, Hancock, Sample, Shorter & co., and the soulful influences of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder, et al., to create their own authentic R & B blend, which, with the tongue-in-cheek name, happily surprised both black and white audiences alike. This uncanny paradox led to AWB’s early Inclusion on Soul Train where their two famed appearances are still much viewed; doubtless it was partly why the music was featured in so many big movies: Swingers, Private Parts, Superman 2, Starsky & Hutch etc., to name but a few standouts.