They’re calling themselves “The Music of Cream” and, while neither Eric Clapton nor Ginger Baker are involved—Jack Bruce died in 2014 so we can rule him out too—it’s fair to say that the musicians involved have legitimate stakes to use the name. This is no stunt—the trio involved are all accomplished musicians—and features Clapton’s nephew Will Johns, Bruce’s son Malcolm and Baker’s son Kofi, performing as the Music of Cream.
Following an extensive fall 2018 run, the band have announced another ambitious North American tour, beginning in the spring. During the performances, images of their fathers and mentors will appear on a big screen, along with never-before-seen footage and photos. Fans can expect to hear personal stories. (Watch several clips from 2018 and see the dates below.)
In November 28, they did four celebratory shows across the U.K., coinciding with the anniversary of the original band’s Nov. 26, 1968 farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Watch them perform “Badge” in London on November 25, 2018
Watch them perform an extended version of “Sunshine of Your Love” on October 9, 2018, in Northampton, Mass.
Kofi Baker first performed live with his father at age six on the BBC TV show, The Old Grey Whistle Test. In the early ’80s, the pair played drum duets throughout Europe, and has since toured with Uli Jon Roth, Vinny Appice, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, and others.
Baker says: “I feel more positive that we played the music the way Cream did; we were able to stretch out and improvise and the audience was right there with us.”
Kofi Baker, Will Johns and Malcolm Bruce, performing as the Music of Cream
(Photo: David Geraghty / The Australian; used with permission)
Malcolm Bruce began performing professionally at age 16, and has recorded and performed with his father. He’s also played on recordings by Eric Clapton, Dr. John and Joe Bonamassa, among others.
Bruce adds: “The uniqueness of the approach to Cream’s music means that I learn and grow every night we play. There is always something new to be discovered in the music: tempo, feel, groove, notes, dynamics, inflection.”
Will Johns is Clapton’s (and George Harrison’s) nephew through their former marriages to Pattie Boyd. He’s the son of the legendary recording engineer and producer Andy Johns.
“The audiences seemed to appreciate, and enjoy, that we were not just copying and actually putting our own slant on things,” notes Johns.
Each of the three have recorded their own albums. The trio, along with Glenn Hughes and Robben Ford, played seven dates in Australia and New Zealand in 2017.
Related: Cream: Rock’s short-lived, first supergroup
Watch the official trailer for the 2018 tour
Music of Cream 2019 Tour (Tickets are available here and here)
Mar 22 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theater
Mar 23 – Norwalk, CT – Wall Street Theater
Mar 26 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate
Mar 28 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
Mar 29 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
Mar 30 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
Mar 31 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
Apr 02 – Millville, NJ – Levoy Theatre
Apr 03 – Rochester, NY – Hart Theatre
Apr 04 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theare
Apr 05 – Frankfort, KY – Grand Theatre Frankfort
Apr 06 – Bowling Green, KY – Southern Kentucky PAC
Apr 07 – Nashville, TN – City Winery
Apr 09 – Tallahassee, FL – The Moon
Apr 11 – Melbourne, FL – Knig Center for the Perf. Arts
Apr 12 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Parker Playhouse
Apr 13 – West Palm Beach, FL – Kravis Center
Apr 14 – Daytona Beach, FL – Peabody Auditorium
Apr 15 – Sarasota, FL – Roskamp Auditorium
Apr 17 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Apr 18 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Apr 19 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
Apr 20 – San Antonio, TX – Empire Theatre
Watch them perform “White Room” on October 24, 2018
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
Watch them perform “Cross Road Blues” (aka “Crossroads”) in 2017
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7 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThey need a better eric clapton….I am available 😉
Are you kidding me? That kid’s got it down. You’d be lucky to hear Clapton himself play that solo as perfect as that. Some people are NEVER happy.
Is the West Coast “chopped liver” or what??
I know, right? Why are they not coming out to California?
I saw Clapton with Deep Purple…Many Many Moons ago at the LA’s Forum…Awesome!
Yeah sooono LA concert at ALL..U guys
what gives!!!
When are you coming to California?
Guitar riffs at the Peabody were a great. A wonderful tribute to the originals. Toad was insane.