Photo by Allison Murphy

Bowlive II, Soulive’s ten night residency at The Brooklyn Bowl, came to roaring close on Saturday night. Although billed guest Matisyahu called in sick, this did nothing to dampen spirits of the artists on stage, or the sold out crowd.

The Nigel Hall Band opened the night, including vocalists Alicia Chakour, Mel Flannery and Tania Jones. Chakour was the surprise break out artist of Bowlive, as she sang every night, her voice as soulful and strong as the likes of Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige. By the end of Hall’s hour long set, the Soulive trio joined in, as did Adam Smirnoff (bass), and Adam Deitch (drums).

The ten nights of funk-infused jams ended with special surprise guests Ben Kenny (Incubus, guitar) and Taylor Hicks (harmonica), along with Maurice Brown (trumpet), James Casey (saxophone), and Igmar Thomas (trumpet).

Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno was quite animated last night, trading licks with Ben Kenny, while drummer Alan Evans bounced on the drum kit for his two solos. Keyboard player Neal Evans, kept the groove low and tight all evening long. Highlights were “Too Much” with Hall and Chakour and a double-timed fast “Doin’ the 2.” Taylor Hicks rounded out the evening on harmonica for “Just Kissed My Baby.”

The waves of special guests during Bowlive II included Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Robert Randolph, Talib Kweli, Questlove, Bernie Worrell, Oteil Burbridge, Ivan Neville, Marco Benevento, Corey Glover, Kofi Burbridge, Karl Denson and Andre Lassalle.