A big, mixed audience of music enthusiasts got a heavy dose of prismatic jams last night at the Jazzhaus, courtesy of Sonic Sutra, on their first of a two-night run. The psychedelic, funky jam band got their groove on all night for the pleasure of a huge swathe of Kansas party people, promising even more epic goodness coming tonight.
The night started with a modest audience already listening when Sonic Sutra began their first set. Almost immediately a thick line of people crowded at each entrance, as folks gathered for the party. In Jazzhaus tradition, the crowd was a variety of music fans, from the man with dreadlocks down to his waist, to the dude with his polo-shirt tucked into his khaki shorts. Old and young, from near and far, Sonic Sutra has a following of fans all across Kansas that appreciate good music and know better than to miss two nights of fun.
A veritable kaleidoscope of sensations moved and transformed through each song of Sonic Sutra's set. Songs like "Through Travel," (see the recording on their myspace, an equally good version) took the audience on a trip into another realm through the instrumentals and vocals of the band. The crisp, icy guitar skills and vocal harmony of Chad Brothers send chills down listeners' spines. Smooth and juicy bass lines and solos from the five-stringed bassist Jon Studtmann defined funk. Keyboardist Blake Clemmer's fingers danced out layers of velvet harmony. Heart-rattling drums from Matt Miner sent waves of beats driving the crowd to the dance floor. Front man Billy Wassung's mind-boggling guitar mastery melted the audience in a boiling hot litany of deft jams and other-worldly solos. Billy's vocals bring the listener to the heart of the music, where it all comes together in a sweeping union of harmony and melody. To add to the incredible lineup was Courtney Rose Smith, whose sweet, melodic vocals gave the second set's songs another dimension.
Together the band's teamwork is a practiced thing of beauty. With the precision one might only expect out of a machine, but possessed with the free-moving soul of an organic, fluid spirit, Sonic Sutra took the Jazzhaus on an adventure through the night. The dance floor began to fill before the first set was complete and quickly overflowed during the second.
Between the band's original jams and some classy covers, Sonic Sutra held their fans captive all night. Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," and Pink Floyd's "Young Lust," were two favorite covers the audience rocked out to. The encore, Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," was the perfect ending to the evening. The music did not stop until last call, with the band reminding everyone to be back the next night for more funky-fresh jams.
Tonight should be another trip into the funky, dancable rock jams. Any one who likes having fun needs to be at the Jazzhaus!
Now for Previews:
Thursday, the 21st, Beach Team and L5 will be raging at the Bottleneck. L5 is a perfect example of the latest experimental noise rock integrated with old-fashioned folk rock from a time capsule buried in the 1960s. Doors open at 9 p.m.
As mentioned in previous articles; this next Friday and Saturday (22nd and 23rd), the Jazzhaus gets a double-dose of The Floozies. Starting Friday night with their side-project FUTURE SHOCK, followed by the Hill brothers' duo doing their thing Saturday. These shows will each be the party to be at downtown this weekend, so don't miss out!
Sunday, the 24th, L5 will be playing again, this time with Night Beats, at the Replay Lounge. Night Beats' soul and R&B should contrast nicely with L5 for an interesting night.
Mouth will be playing with Somasphere and the EZ brothers at the Bottleneck on Friday the 29th. This show is bound to sell out, so get your tickets soon!
Comments