Article & Photos: Jim Summaria
Brother John Band w/
Doug Corcoran, Chris Neal, Marqueal Jordan, Marty Binder & Nick Fane
at Hey Nonny, Feb. 5, 2025
Live Show Review & Photos
by Jim Summaria
Brother John and his band performed on day two of Blues Week at Hey Nonny in Arlington Hts. on Wednesday, February 5 and what a delight it was! The band is made up of superb seasoned musicians who were at the top of their game that night. Brother John Kattke played guitar and keyboards and excels in each. I can say the same for the rest of the band; Marty Binder on drums, bassist Nick Fane, Marqueal Jordan on baritone sax, Chris Neal on tenor sax and Doug Corcoran on trumpet and keyboards. Brother John, Jordan and Neal all took their turn on vocals.
Each member has quite an interesting history. Brother John started taking piano lessons at the age of six and the violin at nine. But after hearing his brother’s records of the Allman Brothers, Jeff Beck and Santana, he decided at the age of 14 that the guitar was his choice of instrument. His aha moment for the blues began when he first heard Albert King.
He started hanging out at the blues clubs in Chicago usually getting thrown out for being too young but occasionally would be allowed to play with such artists as Sammy Fender, Jimi Mays and Erwin Helfer. Brother John has been a resident musician at Buddy Guy's Legends for 30+ years. He has played with Guy not only at his club but also at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. Otis Rush is another legend he has played with and he collaborates quite often with bluesman Dave Specter. He has jammed with blues rockers Steve Miller and Eric Clapton. He almost got the gig as the touring guitarist for the Black Crowes in 2000 but Jimmy Page was chosen instead. He has done session work with so many artists - notably Junior Wells, Koko Taylor and Larry McCray.
L to R: Chris Neal, Marty Binder, Marqueal Jordan
Drummer Marty Binder is another long time Chicago blues veteran and has played with Buddy Guy, Albert Collins and Junior Wells. He has recorded with Dave Specter on Delmark Records along with dozens of other artists. Binder also plays classical, blues, bluegrass, rock and jazz guitar.
Marqueal Jordan plays sax and is one of heck of a singer. He's been part of the Chicago blues scene since the 1990s and has three solo albums to his credit. He is in demand as a session musician, bandleader and horn arranger. He has toured with Peabo Bryson, David Sanborn and the Isley Brothers.
Nick Fane is a bass player who is proficient in blues, jazz and rock. He cites the Who's John Entwistle, Geddy Lee of Rush and James Jamerson of the famed Motown Funk Brothers as influences. He has recorded with blues rocker Nick Moss.
Chicago born and bred Chris Neal is another longtime member of the Chicago music scene. He plays tenor sax and sings with great passion. His love of music started in church and was influenced by his dad's record collection of Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder and John Coltrane. He has shared the stage with such notable artists as the Temptations, Chaka Khan and Taj Mahal.
Doug Corcoran is a versatile musician who is proficient on trumpet and keyboards. He tours with the rock bands JD McPherson, Liquid Soul and Midnight Sun. He has been a sideman for Bob Seger and Dave Matthews Band. He has appeared on the Jay Leno and David Letterman shows.
L to R: Doug Corcoran, Chris Neal, Marqueal Jordan, Brother John Kattke
The Brother John Band plays a mix of blues, rock, funk and New Orleans jazz with some Latin rhythms thrown in. Most of the set list was covers but done in a fresh and very entertaining style. They opened with the R&B tune "One Mint Julep" originally recorded by the Clovers in 1952. Ray Charles did an instrumental version in 1961. Each member of the brass section gave dynamic solos and Brother John pounded the keys to give the concert a great kick start.
A cool, funky jazz instrumental, “The Chicken,” featured the horn section again and then it was off to celebrate Mardi Gras with a couple of tunes by Louisiana natives Dr. John and Professor Longhair. A nice rendition of Dr. John's "Such a Night" was followed by "Go To the Mardi Gras" by Professor Longhair, complete with Brother John providing the whistle and excellent polyrhythmic drumming by Binder.
Brother John showed off his piano chops on the Titus Turner song "People Sure Act Funny" and once again Neal, Corcoran and Jordan put together exciting solos. A medley of T-Bone Walker's "T-Bone Shuffle" and Horace Silver's "Cookin' at the Continental" delighted the crowd.
Nick Fane & Brother John Kattke
It was then time for some down and dirty blues with the Albert King song "You're Gonna Need Me." Brother John hit all the right notes on his guitar solo. It was on to another one of the famous King bluesmen for the Freddie King funky song "Pack It Up." The next three songs were highlighted with soulful vocals by Neal.
It was Jordan's turn to take center stage at the mic and sing a heartfelt version of the Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions classic "It's Alright" that had everyone in the audience singing along. Jordan remained up front and belted out the Albert King blues song "Born Under a Bad Sign" and Z.Z. Hill's "Down Home Blues."
In a way, the band kept the best for the final two songs. I was enthralled by the entire show but their Stanley Turrentine instrumental version of Ray Charles' "What Would I Do Without You" was a show stopper. How could they top that? With the crowd chanting for one more song, the band did succeed in topping it. Jordan again stepped up to the mic and performed a stirring rendition of "Try A Little Tenderness" with such soulfulness, that Otis Redding would have given him a standing ovation. Dr. John was right; it was indeed "such a (great) night."
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About The Author: Jim Summaria began professionally photographing rock concerts in 1973 at the age of 19 when he became the staff photographer for the Chicago rock concert promoter Flip Side Productions. Jim's photos have been published in numerous books, magazines and CDs. His rock ‘n’ roll photos have been viewed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum and Hall of Fame on Rt.66 and the Grammy Awards. Jim and writer Mark Plotnick co-authored the books Classic Rock: Photographs From Yesterday & Today and the October 2024 release ‘70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts.
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