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Whitfield joins Boston Horns for seventh release
By Rosemary Ford, Staff writer
Eagle-Tribune
December 20, 2007
When it comes to local jazz icons, there are always a few names on people's lips. Barrence Whitfield may be one of them, but for other soul
fans, its the Boston Horns.
The jam band grew out of the Heavy Metal Horns, a nine-piece group that toured the world for four months with Extreme in the mid-'90s.
Together as the Boston Horns for nearly eight years, they've played clubs all over Boston, New York and even Japan. "Beyond Jazz."
Now the North of Boston musicians have teamed up with Whitfield to put together an album that's turning jazz fans' heads. The album,
"Shibuya Gumbo," is the seventh to the Horns' credit.
The record title has twofold meaning: Shibuya comes from Shibuya City, the first place the Horns played on a recent tour; Gumbo is a nod to
their New Orleans musical roots. The album was released a few week as ago at sold-out parties in Boston and Acton.
"It's getting rave reviews," said Henley Douglas Jr. of Salem, Mass., one of the founders of the Horns. "People are real excited about
Barrence Whitfield. At times, he sounds like James Brown. He also has that charisma of just being able to take over a room."
Douglas, 53, a tenor and baritone saxophonist, said he has been one of Whitfield's biggest fans since moving to Boston.
On their own, the Horns do a lot of instrumental covers and originals. At times, co-founder and trumpet player Garret Savluk of Wilmington
sings. While Douglas loves Savluk's work, he's also a fan of Whitfield's traditional approach and New Orleans-style chanting.
This album is different from the band's other releases, with more tracks written by Savluk, who also is head of the Andover schools jazz
program. Horns guitarist Jeff Buckridge and Newbury native and Horns keyboardist Ben Zecker also wrote for the record.
"To me, that's a sign of all the great bands - when people know the abilities and identities of the musicians and they are able to write music.
That is how you get your own identifiable sounds," Douglas said.
Well-known sax player Sam Kininger guests on the album. Kininger has played with funk and soul bands including Lettuce, the
Brotherhood of Groove, and the internationally reknowned Soulive. Currently he fronts the Same Kininger Band.
"Shibuya Gumbo" was produced by Anthony Resta, another local who has worked with Collective Soul, Letters to Cleo and Guster.
"The material we have on there is more contemporary. We have a singer of note on there," said Savluk, 39. "This CD is definitely the best."
By Rosemary Ford, Staff writer
Eagle-Tribune
December 20, 2007
When it comes to local jazz icons, there are always a few names on people's lips. Barrence Whitfield may be one of them, but for other soul
fans, its the Boston Horns.
The jam band grew out of the Heavy Metal Horns, a nine-piece group that toured the world for four months with Extreme in the mid-'90s.
Together as the Boston Horns for nearly eight years, they've played clubs all over Boston, New York and even Japan. "Beyond Jazz."
Now the North of Boston musicians have teamed up with Whitfield to put together an album that's turning jazz fans' heads. The album,
"Shibuya Gumbo," is the seventh to the Horns' credit.
The record title has twofold meaning: Shibuya comes from Shibuya City, the first place the Horns played on a recent tour; Gumbo is a nod to
their New Orleans musical roots. The album was released a few week as ago at sold-out parties in Boston and Acton.
"It's getting rave reviews," said Henley Douglas Jr. of Salem, Mass., one of the founders of the Horns. "People are real excited about
Barrence Whitfield. At times, he sounds like James Brown. He also has that charisma of just being able to take over a room."
Douglas, 53, a tenor and baritone saxophonist, said he has been one of Whitfield's biggest fans since moving to Boston.
On their own, the Horns do a lot of instrumental covers and originals. At times, co-founder and trumpet player Garret Savluk of Wilmington
sings. While Douglas loves Savluk's work, he's also a fan of Whitfield's traditional approach and New Orleans-style chanting.
This album is different from the band's other releases, with more tracks written by Savluk, who also is head of the Andover schools jazz
program. Horns guitarist Jeff Buckridge and Newbury native and Horns keyboardist Ben Zecker also wrote for the record.
"To me, that's a sign of all the great bands - when people know the abilities and identities of the musicians and they are able to write music.
That is how you get your own identifiable sounds," Douglas said.
Well-known sax player Sam Kininger guests on the album. Kininger has played with funk and soul bands including Lettuce, the
Brotherhood of Groove, and the internationally reknowned Soulive. Currently he fronts the Same Kininger Band.
"Shibuya Gumbo" was produced by Anthony Resta, another local who has worked with Collective Soul, Letters to Cleo and Guster.
"The material we have on there is more contemporary. We have a singer of note on there," said Savluk, 39. "This CD is definitely the best."