JT Donaldson

JT Donaldson
October 22 at Reflections
Halifax as the next Chicago? Not a crazy notion when one counts the Windy City DJs who have graced SuperCity stages. Recent appearances by DJ Colette and Johnny Fiasco — and check out this week’s Derrick Carter gig — featured the smooth mid-west sound. Although relocated to San Francisco, former Chicagoan JT Donaldson brought his soulful groove to an appreciative Reflections crowd, promoting his Lounge Grooves CD release. Cam Harding and Jody Crowe warmed up the audience with a set of bumpin’ four-turntable magic — too bad Crowe faced the side of the stage because it wasn’t big enough to accommodate four decks in a row. Donaldson hit the stage at around 1:30am to a packed venue and did not disappoint. The affable DJ’s set was as down-to-earth as his personality, the best part being a funked-up sample of New Order’s “Blue Monday.” Not quite the banging tracks that Hali-dance kids are used to, but chockful of slinky house beats, the hundreds in attendance lapped up every last drop.