“I wanted a group that provided a big palette and lots of textures, but that was still nimble and rocks like a band one-third its size. If there is a big band equivalent of the Led Zeppelin maxim ‘Tight But Loose,’ that’s the idea for Zubatto. We’re still a chamber group or bar band, just a relatively big one with a bassoon.” –Andrew Boscardin
Seattle’s hot jazz-fusion band, Zubatto Syndicate, will follow up its hot new debut release with a monster live performance March 10, 8 p.m., at Neumos in the trendy Capitol Hill district. Not only that, but the horn-heavy tone bandits, Reptet, join in on the fun as special guests.
Zubatto Syndicate is the brainchild of composer/guitarist Andrew Boscardin, an artist who’s always thinking ahead in every project (he’s got a secret one cooking right now).
When he put together the makings of a great album, “The Band Who Fell To Earth: Zubatto Syndicate,” released last year, he envisioned a futuristic, yet vintage sci-fi feel to the artwork, as well as the music. Enlisting the help of major sci-fi artist Franco Brambilla for the inspirational imagery, the 12-piece ensemble tried to bring this odd past-present mishmash to life sonically in the multi-hued fusions of rock, funk, hip-hop, Brazilian, and the basic big band ethos.
“If you feel like dancing to Zubatto Syndicate, it'll be because you can't resist a snaky bass riff. In fact, if all goes well, you'll want to drop your pants. Boscardin's arrangements unfold in surprising ways.... The solos are uncharted territory.” –Michael van Baker, The SunBreak, October 19, 2009
The laidback, loose posse in big band clothing likens its aspiration to that of a Maria Schneider meets Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the Roots meets Radiohead c/o Mingus vibe. They do this with a clarity and cleverness in the arrangements, the easygoing flow, sharp, bopping rhythms, memorable harmonic convergences, and a hard-driving, foot-tapping groove all their own.
Little things mean a lot in this atypical jazz orchestra: the odd fit of traditional jazz brass with classic orchestral woodwinds and an electric rhythm section, to produce a big band foundation with funky, contemporary, infectious dance drives (“Arrival” cooks like a bastard). It’s been done before, but never like this. “I wanted a group that provided a big palette and lots of textures, but that was still nimble and rocks like a band one-third its size,” explained Boscardin. “If there is a big band equivalent of the Led Zeppelin maxim ‘Tight But Loose,’ that’s the idea for Zubatto. We’re still a chamber group or bar band, just a relatively big one with a bassoon.”
The new Zubatto Syndicate personnel: guitarist Andrew Boscardin, oboe/English horn player Janet Putnam, clarinetist Jesse Canterbury, bass clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Greg Sinibaldi, bassoonist Francine Peterson, alto saxophonist Mark Taylor, baritone saxophonist/bass clarinetist Jim DeJoie, trumpeter Chad McCullough, trombonist David Marriott Jr., keyboardist Mack Grout, electric bassist Tim Carey, and drummer Byron Vannoy.
For more info: Doors open at 8 p.m., March 10, for the Zubatto Syndicate/Reptet gig. Neumos is located in Capitol Hill-Seattle, 1122 East Pike St. Cost is $8 in advance, for those 21 and over. Concert event line: (206) 709-9467.
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