Charlie Karp was in my class at Staples.
Charlie Karp (left) and Keith Richards
Well, for a few weeks anyway. As a sophomore he left school to play guitar with Buddy Miles. They recorded 4 albums together, including the legendary “Them Changes.” Charlie also toured with a guy named Jimi Hendrix.
He eventually returned home. For 30 years he’s been a local legend, fronting bands like White Chocolate and Dirty Angels. Now a singer-songwriter-producer, he’s won Emmys for work with HBO and CBS Sports, PBS and A&E.
In the 1990s he hooked up with then-Westporter Danny Kortchmar. A renowned producer-guitarist, Danny has worked with Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, James Taylor and Billy Joel.
Danny Kortchmar
Jamming together evolved into Slo Leak. Danny calls their music “new century blues — very modern, but based on traditional blues. It’s got a terrific groove.”
Tomorrow night (Friday) at 8, Slo Leak performs on Bobby Q’s roof. Both guitarists are excited to be back in action, in front of their many local fans.
“I love playing in my home town,” Charlie says. “And I think people will like seeing a show in downtown Westport. It’ll be more of a concert — not a typical bar scene.”
Danny has never played on a roof before. He doesn’t know what it will be like, but he promises one thing: “We play ass-shakin’ music.”
(Bobby Q’s is located at 42 Main Street, Westport. Tickets for Slo Leak are $20. For more information, click here.)