In Memory of D’Angelo: Revisiting Pino Palladino’s Soulful Bass Lines Live in 2015

With the news of D’Angelo’s passing, we’ve been going back through some of his most unforgettable live moments. One that stands tall is the 2015 performance with The Vanguard at the North Sea Jazz Festival. It is a masterclass in feel, space, and musicianship.

Pino Palladino brings a calm strength to the band. His touch, tone, and phrasing are everything we love about him. He doesn’t just play the notes. He breathes life into every line. Locked in with Chris “Daddy” Dave, the groove is deep enough to live in.

Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey shines throughout as well. His pocket, texture, and interplay with Pino show the kind of chemistry that made this band so special. Every detail, from the rhythm section’s pulse to D’Angelo’s raw emotion, reminds us why this music hit so hard then and still does now.

This one feels different revisiting it today. It is a beautiful reminder of the spirit, soul, and groove that D’Angelo and his band shared with the world.