Article Contributed by L. Paul Mann
Published on 2026-04-01
March 29th, 2026 | photos by L. Paul Mann
Some nights feel less like concerts and more like living history unfolding in real time. When Booker T. Jones stepped onto the stage at Lobero Theatre on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Santa Barbara didn’t just witness a performance—it experienced a masterclass in soul, R&B, and the enduring legacy of the Stax sound.
The Lobero, with its intimate Spanish Colonial architecture, transformed the 7:30 PM show into something closer to a private lounge than a traditional concert hall. Seeing a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer in California’s oldest continuously operating theater felt poetic; both artist and venue stood as living monuments to their craft.
At 81 years young, Booker T. remains the undisputed “Architect of Soul.” Dressed sharply behind his iconic Hammond B3 organ, he didn’t just play—he conducted the energy of the room. The Leslie speaker’s swirl delivered that unmistakable, gritty warmth that has defined decades of American music. His backing band—including his son Ted Jones on guitar—was locked in tight, providing a pocket-heavy foundation that allowed the organ melodies to soar.
The evening unfolded as a chronological journey through the Stax Records era. “Green Onions” was, predictably, the night’s massive highlight. Though Jones has played it thousands of times, he delivered the signature riff with a cool, understated swagger that still felt fresh. Transitioning seamlessly, “Time Is Tight” brought the house down with its driving rhythm, proving that instrumental soul can still move a 2026 crowd to its feet.
Throughout the night, Jones sang with a commanding voice while playing the B3 organ and electric piano—sometimes both at once. At one point, he switched to guitar for a solo performance that brought the audience to tears, then cheers, as they sang along to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” The timeless antiwar message felt especially resonant as Jones led the crowd in a poetic, unified moment.
Ever the seasoned bandleader, Jones even adapted on the fly when his historic B3 organ briefly faltered. Without missing a beat, he shifted to electric piano and adjusted the setlist, reinforcing his reputation as both a master musician and an intuitive performer.
Between songs, Booker shared stories of working with Otis Redding and Albert King, turning the evening into something deeper than a concert—an oral history of the Memphis sound delivered by one of its architects.
This wasn’t nostalgia. While rooted in the 1960s and ’70s, the performance felt vital, immediate, and alive. Jones’s ability to blend blues, gospel, jazz, and soul into a singular groove remains unmatched.
Setlist
Hang 'Em High (Dominic Frontiere cover)
Born Under a Bad Sign (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Hip Hug-Her (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Blue Jean Blues (ZZ Top cover)
What's Going On (Marvin Gaye cover – solo guitar/vocal)
Summertime (George Gershwin cover)
Green Onions (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Melting Pot (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Soul Limbo (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Time Is Tight (Booker T. & the MG’s)
Encore:
I've Been Loving You Too Long (Otis Redding cover)
Encore 2:
Everything Is Everything (Lauryn Hill cover)
