Jam Central Station 01.21.12: Soulive
Posted by Jeff Modzelewski on 01.21.2012
One of the current kings of modern funk and jazz
Hey all! Hope you like snow, cause looks like most of the country is getting a bunch of it! Well, at least we're getting hit here in Ohio. Oh well. Before I get started, I want to announce that The MuckleBuck will be playing another show on February 18! If you're anywhere near Cleveland, be sure to be there! Ok, enough pimping, on with the main event!
Funk and jazz have become a huge part of the jam band and summer festival scene. I've seen many stages at festivals turn into all-out dance parties because of one band bringing some great funk vibes. There's plenty of options for fans of eclectic funk and jazz with great bass, but Soulive has become one of the top names carrying the flag. They've been jamming out and getting people moving for more than ten years, and they always throw a hell of a party both at their own shows and at festivals.
Soulive was really a mashing of multiple influences into one well-refined traditional jazz sound. Eric Krasno got his start with the funk band Lettuce in Boston, which was a well established live act by the late 90's. Brothers Alan and Neal Evans played in both jam and rap influenced bands during the 90's as well. The Evans brothers were interested in moving away from those areas and focusing on a more traditional jazz trio with Neal on the Hammond organ. The brothers invited Krasno down to Woodstock NY to jam and write together and see what came of the sessions. The result was Get Down! a mix of songs penned both by Krasko and the Evans. They immediately hit the road, working their way through jazz clubs and bars on the east coast.
Their music caught on quickly. The members already had solid contacts from their work in other bands, so it wasn't difficult for them to expand their fan base. They made time to record their first "real" record in 2000. Turn It Out primarily featured the three members of the band, but they were able to bring in guests like John Scofield and Otiel Burbridge for the album. This led immediate credibility to what they were doing. They gained major fans in the industry, and were soon touring the country headlining clubs and opening shows in theatres and arenas. All of this caught the attention of legendary jazz label Blue Note, who signed the s for their next studio release.
2001's Doin' Something showed an expansion in the band's sound. Instead of just a couple of guests they brought in a brass section to add to their sound. They also experimented with a variety of non-traditional jazz melodies. Instead of turning fans away, these changes brought more non-jazz fans into the fold. After just over 2 years of recording together, Soulive found themselves at the forefront of the modern jazz movement. They also were careful not to limit themselves to just touring with other jazz and funk artists. Within just a few years they were touring with a diverse set of artists from the Dave Matthews Band to the Rolling Stones to Common and The Roots.
For their fourth album they brought in guest vocalists for the first time. Dave Matthews, Black Thought, and Talib Kweli all guested on Next, a diverse modern jazz album. It was by far their heaviest and most hip-hop influenced album to date. They quickly followed up with a live album and then a remix of their debut Turn It Out that featured a variety of prominent DJ's and producers. The also began an "Instant Live" series of live releases from September through December of 2004.
In 2005 the band moved to Concord records and release Break Out Most of the tracks on the album are compilations with guest artists ranging from the legendary Chaka Khan to Ivan Neville and Robert Randolph. This allowed the band to continue to experiment with different styles of jazz and to incorporate other influences. The band was very clear that Soulive was never been to be simply an organ jazz trio, but instead it was an ever evolving group. They continued to use a variety of horns, and trumpeter Rashawn Ross even went from a part of Soulive to become a member of the Dave Matthews Band.
Around 2006 the band was looking to change things up again. They saw an opportunity to potentially grow their base significantly by bringing in a vocalist for a little more "mainstream" of a sound. Toussaint Yeshua was brought in to fill the role, and No Place Like Soul featured him prominently. The album only had two instrumentals and no guests. While Yeshua's membership was originally supposed to be permanent, the tour to support the album wasn't what the band had hoped. They found that having a vocalist limited the improvisation that the band could do on stage. They split with Yeshua after less than two years and only one album.
In 2009 they returned to their roots with the much jazzier Up Here. They brought back the horns, and the album is completely instrumental. While the band passed up the opportunity to add more mainstream popularity, move back to more traditional jazz was welcomed by old and new fans alike. They continued to play festivals and were invited to the Newport Jazz Festival. In 2010 they released Rubber Soulive, a collection of instrumental Beatles covers. While this was certainly not a traditional jazz album, it was well received and an honest take on classic Beatles songs.
The fun thing about a band like Soulive is that you truly never quite know what to expect from them. They can bring out a heavy raging set as a late night band at a festival or give you a laid-back groove. They can go into hip hop and then cover the Beatles. There is truly no limits to what they are going to do or what direction they are going to take. Seeing them live makes for a real adventure. They are truly one of the top modern jazz and funk artists around.
Wakarusa finalizes lineup
Wakarusa announced their final lineup additions this week. They added The Avett Brothers, Slightly Stoopid, Ghostland Observatory, Matisyahu, Perpetual Groove, and many others. These artists join the already announced Pretty Lights (at the top of the bill), Primus, Umphrey's McGee, and many others.
DelFest 2012
DelFest 2012 will take place on May 24-27 in Cumberland, MD with another great lineup. The artists that have been announced include The Del McCoury Band, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, and many more.
Wannee Lineup Announced
The Wannee Festival announced their lineup this week. Along with the perennial Wannee participants The Allman Brothers, plenty of other artists will head to Florida. They include Furthur, Gov't Mule, Leftover Salmon, Buddy Guy, and many others.
Rock Hall to do a Grateful Dead exhibit
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will honor the Grateful Dead with an exhibit starting in April. The opening will coincide with this year's induction ceremonies, and will run through December. The exhibit will feature handwritten lyrics, guitars, drum sets, and various other Dead memorabilia.
Mayan Holidaze
January 26-30, 2012
Now Sapphire Resort and Spa
Mayan Riviera, Mexico
STS9, Umphrey's McGee, and The Disco Biscuits will host this destination festival on the Mayan Riviera! Tickets (actually, rooms at the resort) are available now!
Panic en la Playa
January 31-February 4, 2012
Mayan Riviera, Mexico
This destination event be a part of Panic's final shows before their hiatus. They'll be performing a full set each night, and attendance is limited to 2,000. Rooms at both resorts are sold out!
Jam in the Dam
March 14-16, 2012
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Jam in the Dam returns! 2012's lineup includes moe., Mike Gordon, Dark Star Orchestra, Lotus, and Keller Williams. Each artist will play each a full set each night. Tickets are available!!
Suwannee Springfest
March 23-25, 2012
Suwannee Music Park
Live Oak, FL
Performers include: Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice Duo, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Hot Buttered Rum, Infamous Stringdusters, Great American Taxi, Greensky Bluegrass, and many others. Tickets are available now!
Ultra Music Festival
March 23-25, 2012
Bayfront Park
Miami, FL
Performers include: Tiesto, New Order, Kraftwerk, Justice, Fatboy Slim, Bassnectar, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Afrojack, Big Gigantic, and many others.
Coachella
April 13-15, April 20-22
Empire Polo Club
Indio, CA
Both weekends will have the same lineup. Performers include: Radiohead, The Black Keys, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Explosions in the Sky, Dawes, Girl Talk, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Florence & The Machine, and many others. Both weekends are sold out.
Wannee Festival
April 19-21
Spirit of Suwannee Music Park
Live Oaks, FL
Performers include: The Allman Brothers Band, Furthur, Gov't Mule, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Leftover Salmon, North Mississippi All Stars, EOTO, and many others.
Hangout Festival
May 18-20, 2012
Gulf Shores, AL
DelFest
May 24-27, 2012
Cumberland, MD
Performers include: The Del McCoury Band, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, and many more
Summer Camp
May 25-27, 2012
Three Sisters Park
Chillicothe, IL
Performers include-Three sets each from event hosts moe. and Umphrey's McGee. Other artists announced include Primus, Gogol Bordello, The Bob Weir, Chris Robinson, Jackie Greene Acoustic Trio, Flogging Molly, Cornmeal, Victor Wooten, Greensky Bluegrass, and Hot Buttered Rum.
Sasquatch! Festival
May 25-28, 2012
The Gorge
George, WA
Lineup will be announced in February
Mountain Jam
May 31-June 3, 2012
Hunter Mountain, NY
Wakarusa
May 31-June 3, 2012
Mulberry Mountain
Ozark, AR
Performers include: Primus, Umphrey's McGee, Avett Brothers, Pretty Lights, Robinson & Greene Acoustic Trio, Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros, Matisyahu, Toubab Krewe, Big Gigantic, Girl Talk, G. Love & Special Sauce, Railroad Earth, Beats Antique, ALO, Keller Williams, The Infamous Stringdusters and others.
Bonnaroo
June 7-10, 2012
Manchester, TN
No news on artists yet, and super-early-bird tickets are sold out.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 21-24, 2011
Telluride, CO
Performers for the 39th annual festival include: Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Punch Brothers, Bela Fleck & The Marcus Roberts Trio, Greensky Bluegrass, and many others.
Governor's Ball
June 23-24, 2011
Randall's Island
New York, NY
Electric Forest Festival
June 28-July 1, 2012
Double JJ Ranch and Resort
Rothbury, MI
High Sierra Music Festival
July 5-8, 2012
Quincy, CA
Camp Bisco XI
July 12-14, 2012
Indian Lookout Country Club
Mariaville, NY
All Good
July 19-22, 2012
Legend Valley
Thornville, OH
Gathering of the Vibes
July 19-22, 2012
Seaside Park
Bridgeport, CT
Floyd Fest
July 26-29, 2012
Lover's Rock
Floyd, VA
Performers include: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Galactic, Punch Brothers, Toubab Krewe, Drew Emmitt Band, and many others.
Newport Folk Festival
July 28-29, 2012
Ft. Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Newport Jazz Festival
August 3-5, 2012
Ft. Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Lollapalooza
August 3-5, 2012
Grant Park
Chicago, IL
Camp Barefoot
August 23-26, 2012
Camp Hidden Meadows
Bartow, WV
Performers include: Zach Deputy, Brothers Past, The Motet, Euforquesta, That 1 Guy, and others. Headliners yet to be announced.
The Werk Out Music and Arts Festival
September 20-23, 2012
Legend Valley
Thornville, OH
Thank you all as always for stopping by. Catch more Jam Central Station on Facebook and Twitter. Until next week, Jam On!
