Weekend: Performing suits his taste

Performing suits his taste

Whether he's working with Bruce Springsteen or helping kids in need, sax man Clarence Clemons gives it his all. He and his Band of Faith will headline the Taste of Pinellas.

By DAVE SCHEIBER

When HBO's Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band special hit TV screens in April, one viewer with a unique perspective was extra curious. Would it capture the magic of the live concerts? Would it convey the soaring power of the music? Would the big event get a thumbs up from the Big Man himself?

Clarence Clemons -- who helped create that magic and power with Springsteen some 30 years ago -- loved being a spectator this time around.

"They did a tremendous job of capturing the live thing," says Clemons from his South Florida home on Singer Island. The 59-year-old sax star was in Europe when the much-hyped event aired but got to see it on an advance tape sent to him. "There's always a fear that they'll be unable to capture the live sound, but they did a really great job."

Making music with the Boss may have dominated his calendar in much of 1999 and 2000, but lately Clemons has focused his energy on his own group. Since coming off the road last July, he has gradually gotten back in gear with the Band of Faith, his live-wire outfit that blends rock, R&B, jazz, blues and Latin styles. Clemons and Co. dazzled a waterfront crowd three years ago at the offshore powerboat races. They return to St. Petersburg to headline the Taste of Pinellas from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Clemons says he is always thrilled to perform at events that benefit children -- the powerboat races raised money for the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children, and the annual culinary-music affair this weekend is sponsored by All Children's Hospital.

"Children are our future, and any time you get a chance to help them, you should do it," he says. "Also, I just like the people I work with up there, like (concert promoter) Johnny Green. So if I can help a good cause with great people, I'm glad to jump in."

Green recalls Clemons' last appearance in St. Petersburg. "The first thing he did when he arrived at the stage, just a few hours before show time, was say, 'Where are the kids? Let me visit with some of the kids.' So off we went to introduce him to some of the PARC children. It was a beautiful scene, seeing him interact with them."

Clemons, of course, is also looking forward to showcasing his group. In February, he and the Band of Faith made a high-profile appearance as house band on ESPN's ESPY awards telecast, hosted by actor Samuel Jackson. "It was very fun, and Samuel Jackson is the coolest cat on earth," Clemons says. "Doing that show really got me stimulated to play again."

Clemons' band features Bill Livesay on guitar and vocals, Randi Fishenfeld on vocals and electric violin, Steve Argy on bass and vocals, Paul Pettit on keyboards and vocals, and Keith Cronin on drums. "It's a collaboration of great, versatile musicians," he says.

After the concert, Clemons plans to go into intensive rehearsals with the band, continue work on a debut album and find a regular place to play in South Florida. "I want a place where people can come see the band and energize us," he says "Like Bruce once said, a song ain't a song until somebody hears it. Same thing with a band."

Clemons has played with some of the best, from Springsteen to Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band to recording legends such as Aretha Franklin and Roy Orbison. Now, he says in his deep, friendly voice, "I'm ready to get back to work."