Taj Mahal/Leyla McCalla 4/12/2025 Seattle, WA

Last night, this duo, at times backed by Leyla's bandmates on drums, bass (both acoustic and electric), and electric guitar, played at Meany Hall on the University of Washington campus, a short walk for me.

Leyla, who was the cellist in the Carolina Chocolate Drops before going solo, said this was she and Taj's first appearance "in a setting like this", which I guess meant a formal theater stage.   It was my first time at Meany Hall too, in 20 years living here.  The room has excellent acoustics and an easy layout, which enhanced the music.

Taj and Leyla share Caribbean roots (his dad was from Nevis & St. Kitts, she is of Haitian descent), which informs their blended musical roux of American Folk Blues.

The show started with Leyla playing a loping, pulsing fingerpicked lead line on her cello, with her band kicking into a jazz/rock groove behind her.  She played banjo and electric guitar as well, with some songs in the French Creole Haitian patois.

After four songs, she welcomed the 82 years young Taj Mahal to the stage.  He seemed excited to be playing this show, as they both shared about their backgrounds interspersed with songs celebrating their heritage.  Taj can still pick it, and his voice still mixes the gruff with the smooth.  Their takes on Taj classics such as Goin' Fishin' and Corinna were a treat in such an acoustically balanced room.  Taj played two different banjos and acoustic guitar.   He was seated for the performance, but hilariously did a little shuffle step and wiggled his butt as he exited the stage after the final encore, still shuckin' and jivin'.

Taj's website lists a fairly robust schedule of shows for the rest of the year, but none of the bookings cite Leyla, so I don't know if this was a one-off. Taj is playing at NOLA Jazzfest on April 26; maybe they will continue this promising collaboration there.