Todd Bryan Eckhardt was the bass player and songwriter for the DC-based ska band, The Pietasters. In 2001, Todd died in his sleep of a viral heart infection, but his memory lives on through the band’s music.
Tomorrow night, join The Pietasters, Caz and the Day Laborers, and The Shifters at the Black Cat for a benefit show for the Todd Eckhardt Scholarship Fund for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, presented by DC Brau, Ska Brewing, and Country Malt Group.
The Pietasters have remained a staple in the ska world for over two decades. One of their most critically acclaimed albums came in the form of a dedication to their fallen mate. In 2002 they released Turbo, an album titled after Todd Eckhardt’s nickname. It has been six years since their last full length release All Day, but the Ska legends have already experienced great successes, having opened for legends Joe Strummer and James Brown—pinnacles for any band.
In addition to attending a great night of music for a special cause, DC Brau and Ska Brewing will be unveiling a new beer, “Taster’s Choice,” a Doppelbock brewed with coffee. Inspired by the Pietasters, “Taster’s Choice” will be served on draft for the first time ever. Ska and DCB will be taking over all the tap lines upstairs as well as stocking the sidebar with cans from both breweries for a night you won’t want to miss.
Longtime ska front woman Caz Gardiner leads the rocksteady/ reggae group Caz and The Day Laborers, along with former Pietaster Jorge Pezzimenti (vocals/guitar), Dan Schneider (keyboards/guitar), Curtis Reaves Jr. (drums), Jorge E. Bañales (bass), and Teddy García (keyboards). The band has plans to release an EP this year with Victor Rice. As a fairly new band who doesn’t play often, be sure to catch them before the Pietasters take the stage.
As an added bonus, the band will also feature Jorge and the Landladies‘ tunes, Jorge Pezzimenti’s side project. Pezzimenti wrote the Pietasters All Day and is a legendary guitar and bass player in the ska scene.
Get there early for the first opener, The Shifters, a DC band who describe themselves as “nine maniacs.”
Ska is still alive and well, if underground or in your city venues, so get to the Black Cat tomorrow night for a good cause.
The Pietasters Official | Facebook | Twitter
Caz and The Day Laborers Facebook | Twitter
The Shifters Official | Facebook
