They were one of the great bands of the 1960’s, a supergroup that continues to influence the direction of modern music. Cream was a groundbreaking power trio featuring three rock legends – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.
Now, a new band comprised of two children and a grand-nephew of the original members is hitting the road to promote Cream’s legacy, while updating the memorable trio’s sound. Sons of Cream have just embarked on a US tour and will be playing the Greenwich Odeum on Sunday, August 18. Tickets are available here.
I spoke to Malcolm Bruce, son of bassist Jack Bruce, earlier this week when he phoned in from across the pond, as the UK native was preparing to fly to the US for a run of shows. He shared a bit on how the band formed.
“I’ve known Kofi Baker since we were teenagers,” said Bruce. “I spent time with him in rehearsal rooms when we were in our teens, and we’ve done a couple of projects off and on. At the beginning of this year, we put together Sons of Cream. We did it before, about ten years ago, calling it Music of Cream. We added Kofi’s relative Rob Johnson who is Ginger Bakers sister’s grandson, so Ginger’s grand-nephew. It’s kind of a family band, really fun, and it’s come together nicely.”
“We’re playing all the well-known songs, “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room,” “Crossroads;” all of those great songs people would expect in a show like this. We’re also playing a couple of Blind Faith songs, because that’s part of the story as well.”
Cream was notable for the high level of musicianship demonstrated on stage. Jack Bruce is considered one of the greatest electric bass players of all time, on pretty much everyone’s top 10 list, and ranked #6 by Rolling Stone magazine. Ginger Baker is ranked #3 among all-time drummers, known for combining jazz rhythms with an impactful, polyrhythmic style.
“What people can expect is improvised music,” continued Bruce. “The original band, what they did was take these songs as a starting point and go off on a musical exploration together. Because we grew up around those guys, our parents, we really learned that skill set from them. “It’s second nature for us to improvise around the music.”
“We’re not a tribute band per say, we’re not dressing up like them, playing them note for note, we are inventing it ourselves. I think that revitalizes the whole thing 60 years later.”
Bruce notes that fans, young and old, attend the shows. “It’s probably 60% boomer generation, people in their 70s and 80s,” he said. “Sometimes people come who have met the band or have anecdotes, or stories to tell us. They might bring their kids, or their grandkids.”
“There are also young people who are excited about the music,” he said. “It’s a musician’s band as well, so musicians like to come check us out. A lot of drummers come to see Kofi, his polyrhythmic approach, and a lot of guitar, bass players, and songwriters too.”
Bruce believes Cream should be viewed alongside other UK rock greats like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. “It’s a story and a legacy that should be celebrated, and I think that’s important in a historical context for the younger generation to understand.”
They were basically inventing something, they were on the cutting edge,” Bruce continued. “They were jazz musicians, in my dad’s case, classically trained who discovered the blues, and were creating a kind of fusion of those elements. Ginger had discovered the African polyrhythmic things and was bringing in those elements. Ginger was at the forefront of bringing those things out. He had a huge impact on bringing African music over to the West, through his playing with Fela Kuti and things like that.”
Bruce has a new album coming out, Fake Humans and Real Dolls, which he hopes to finish this fall and release in 2025. “It’s not all like Sons of Cream, it’s something very new and different,” he noted. “I’ve recorded about 16 songs already, but I’m writing a lot of new things, too. I’m taking my time with it.”
Get ready to rock Sunday night, August 18 at the Greenwich Odeum! Tickets are still available – click here for details.
