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Bob Hendrix introduced Janie Hendrix and EMP Senior Curator Jim Fricke to speak. Janie Hendrix thanked the audience for their support and also acknowledged James Al Hendrix, whose death earlier this year touched many in the Seattle community. On behalf of EMP and Fender Musical Instruments, Fricke presented Janie and the Hendrix family with a Custom replica of the Fender Stratocaster Jimi played at the Woodstock festival. The original guitar remains one of the prized centerpieces of the EMP Jimi Hendrix exhibit.

Bob Hendrix then summoned Billy Cox and Buddy Miles, Jimi's Band Of Gypsys, to the stage. Guitarist Andy Aledort joined Cox and Miles and the trio kicked off with a spirited rendition of "Freedom". Voiced by Cox and powered by the dynamic interplay between the bassist and Aledort, the trio held true to the song's original arrangement. Aledort displayed an impressive command, skillfully navigating Jimi's original guitar lines while adding his own personal stamp.

Buddy Miles prefaced the energetic take of "Power Of Soul" which followed with a warm recollection of the performance at the Fillmore East that the album Band Of Gypsys made famous. For this rendition, Aledort assumed lead vocals buttressed by Cox and Miles.

Eric Gales followed next with a blistering rendition of "Foxey Lady". Gales featured a studio version of the song on his recent Nighbird/MCA Records CD That's What I Am, but his collaboration with the Band Of Gypsys clearly inspired the guitarist. The sold out house came alive as Gales tore off an extended solo, bending and twisting the strings to the delight of Cox and Miles. Performances such as this one and his equally impressive appearance at the 2002 San Diego Street Scene tribute confirm Gales' unique gift. The young Memphis native plays a right handed guitar simply flipped over-with the strings reversed-in the style of one of his other heroes, the late blues master Albert King.

Kenny Olson returned to the stage, joining Gales, Sheldon Reynolds, and the Band Of Gypsys through an extended version of "Who Knows". This was followed by a tight rendition of Buddy's classic "Changes". Contrary to previous live performances of this song by Miles, this version was not marred by the drawn out audience call and response chanting that often robs this infectious rocker of its energy.

Gales and Reynolds departed leaving Olson with Cox and Miles. Cox launched into a charged rendition of "Stone Free". His infectious lead vocals had the crowd singing the chorus with him.

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