Now a leading club, concert hall, and studio performer in New York City, ex-Berkeleyite Phil Marsh sang and picked his guitar with the Cleanliness and Godliness Skiffle Band at the Freight & Salvage on its 1968 opening night. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of that event, Phil and the skifflers reunite for an evening of toe-tapping, finger-snapping good times. Purveyors of distinctive jug band arrangements of songs ranging from Jimmy Reed and Johnny Cash to originals like "Cozy Corner Bar," Phil is joined by band co-founders, bassist Richard Saunders and percussionist Gary Salzman, along with other alumni and associates, including, drummer Tom Ralston, blues guitarist Mark Silber, and singers LaWanda Ultan, and bassist Bruce Barthol plus Dave Fredrickson and Arthur Holden of the influential street theater musical theatregroup, East Bay Sharks. Weather and circumstances permitting, original skiffler, "Dynamite" Annie Johnston and latter-day skiffler, harmonica ace Will Scarlett, also join the festivities, as does the Freight's favorite comedian, Darryl Henriques, also a founding member of East Bay Sharks. Darryl frequently appears in motion pictures and on television and is author of the best selling book, 50 Simple things You Can Do to Pave the Earth.

In its heyday, the Skiffle Band was a mainstay at the Fillmore and Avalon ballrooms. The group released five albums, including rock 'n' roll's greatest"superstar" spoof using the pseudonym, Masked Marauders. In the spirit of the times, Greil Marcus speculated in Rolling Stone magazine that this mysterious collection of powerful originals seemed to bear the earmarks of the work of the leading players of the day, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and John Lennon. (The classic was recently released on CD by Rhino Records). Join us for a celebration of the 35 years of music inaugurated by the wonderfully talented players who will grace our stage this evening.