Central Standard Bluegrass Band brings their peppy, hopeful brand of 'jam grass' to a Wichita microbrewery every Tuesday night
Our critic caught a set at Central Standard Brewing in late March.
Central Standard Brewing has its own house band, the aptly named Central Standard Bluegrass Band, and they draw a crowd. On March 24, about 60 people watched the sun set to bluegrass on the patio and in the open-air bar.
"We come here for them," said Kevin Price, of Wichita. "I always thank the brewery because these guys do this for free," meaning there's no cover charge to listen.
The band played traditional bluegrass tunes plus a variety of genres, including modern indie classics like "Linger" by The Cranberries, which showcased Jamie Briggeman's subtle vocal chops and range of emotion.
"Original music or old standards, Central Standard Bluegrass rocks the house," said Mike Graves, who drives to Wichita from Emporia to catch the group on Tuesdays.
Music critic disclaimer: CSBB violinist Riley Day is a friend whom I have performed with. (The Kansas music circle is smaller than you might think.)
Day, a recent addition to CSBB, leads the Wichita funky and jazzy 9-piece horn band Daydream. "This is fun,” he said. “It gives me the opportunity to put my violin chops to use in another genre."
Among originals, CSBB performed mandolinist Evan Ogborn's song, "I Love You." "My favorite part of that song is how it's kind of like a circle," said Ogborn, who wrote both the music and the lyrics. "The verse and the chorus flow into each other, like a good relationship does."
With the second set, the guitars and mandolin, fiddle and bass, all strummed as one, so to speak, and someone in the audience put hands to knees and patted out the beat on his blue jeans. When it comes to the band's banjo-powered grooves, there is something peaceful and rhythmic about a good barnyard stomp, and CSBB brings it. If their sound could be summed up in three words, it might be "feel-good music."
A little ways into the penultimate song,"La Primera Vez" by Los Tres, an older man (obviously moved) stood and danced in front of the band. His hands swayed like the tops of ocean waves. "That's Fernando Salazar," says bassist Brody Wellman, "the photographer. He's Peruvian maybe." (Salazar, a Peruvian American artist and photographer, worked for The Wichita Eagle for 25 years.)
"There's like a whole tradition of alt-Kansas bluegrass in Kansas, going back to Split Lip Rayfield," Wellman says. "And I think we're in that tradition."
"Nice jam grass," Day says. "Like The (Grateful) Dead."
If you have a Tuesday evening free — (and who doesn't?) — you should try Central Standard Bluegrass Band at Central Standard Brewing Company. The music runs from 7-9 p.m. every week. Whether you're new to bluegrass or not, it will likely give you a lift. Peppy and hopeful, this band brings both the spark and the fire.
Band personnel also include Garrett Briggeman (guitar and banjo), Drew Colcher (guitar), along with cameos by the Briggeman kids (Quinn and Kai), who sang two tunes.
The Details
Bluegrass Tuesdays at Central Standard Brewing, 156 S. Greenwood Street in Wichita
Central Standard Bluegrass Band plays from 7-9 p.m. nearly every Tuesday at the microbrewery in Wichita’s Hyde neighborhood.
Free street parking is available on English and Greenwood Streets, and the building is accessible to people with disabilities. A variety of seating is on offer, including outdoor picnic tables, bar stools, and vintage tables and chairs.
Beer, sangria, and nonalcoholic drinks are available for purchase, along with limited food items such as LMNO pizzas.
The event is free to enter, and tipping the band is encouraged.
Past Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019) Kevin Rabas teaches at Emporia State University, where he directs the creative writing program. He has 16 books, including “Elizabeth’s City.” Rabas is also a jazz drummer. He lives in Newton, Kansas.
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