The Red and Black

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If it were any other cracker, Jay Clifford would top it with cheese. On a Ritz cracker, however, he goes for a smoother and sweeter topping.

Like his crackers, Jay Clifford will add a new flavor to his acoustic show at The Ritz on Friday from his usual performances with his bands JUMP and Rosebud.

Clifford said that his third annual summer solo tour will be a different but enjoyable experience for fans who are used to the usual Jump concert.

Although he will play songs from his bands, Clifford said the acoustic setting will give fans a chance to hear the songs on a different level.

“[When playing acoustically,] you can move and stretch the songs according to your mood,” Clifford said.

What he likes most about his solo shows is the unstructured nature of the acoustic setting, he said. He doesn’t prepare a set list, but, instead, lets the audience request songs.

“I’ll try and play songs I haven’t thought about in five years,” he said. “I’ll totally forget the lyrics — I’ll totally mess it up. It ends up being a lot of fun.”

Though Clifford said he gets a little nervous getting onstage without his other band members, he thinks it is good for them to venture out on their own sometimes.

“It’s good for me to stretch out a little — to try and handle a different kind of show,” he said. “If we were too focused and too concentrated on the band, we’d probably drive each other crazy.”

David Ryan Harris will play before Clifford. As a performer raised in Atlanta, he has contributed to the music of and performed with groups such as Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Santana and John Mayer.

Harris said he just tries to entertain during his performances and give a little background information on each song.

“The nature of doing an acoustic show is nice,” he said. “It’s a more intimate kind of setting.”

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