San Diego sax player Karl Denson has been added to The Rolling Stones touring line-up for the upcoming Australian and New Zealand tour, replacing the legendary Bobby Keys who is unwell.
In a statement on his Facebook page Denson wrote, “While we celebrate my good fortune, let’s also pray for Bobby Keys quick recovery. I’ve been studying his playing since I was 19 or 20 years old. He is what I call the original ” slow hand” saxophonist. Sometimes less IS more. Get well soon Bobby…”
Denson plays with funk-jazz band Tiny Universe. He was due to perform with his band this month but has cancelled his own dates to take up the opportunity to play with the Rolling Stones nine shows in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to see the world through a giant pair of lips,” says Denson about his upcoming shows with The Rolling Stones. “It’s going to be amazing to get even closer to this music that I have listened to all my life.”
Karl joins Mick, Keith, Charlie, Ronnie and other touring band members Chuck Leavell, Darryl Jones, Tim Ries, Matt Clifford, Lisa Fischer and Bernard Fowler.
Tiny Universe perform over 150 shows a year. They released their most recent album ‘New Ammo’ in April 2014. Denson is one of the founding members of seminal boogaloo revivalists, The Greyboy Allstars.
The Rolling Stones arrived in Adelaide on Wednesday night to start rehearsals for the first show in 9 days.
Rolling Stones 14 ON FIRE TOUR DATES
October 25, Adelaide, Adelaide Oval (with Jimmy Barnes)
October 29 and November 1, Perth, Perth Arena
November 5, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
November 8, Macedon, Hanging Rock (with British India and The Preatures)
November 12, Sydney, Allphones Arena
November 15, Hunter Valley, Hope Estate (with British India and The Preatures)
November 18, Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
November 22, Auckland, Mt Smart Stadium (with Hunters & Collectors)
The Rolling Stones will tour Australia for Frontier Touring
