| boston horns | (c) 2008 |
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By Jeff Bergman
Halloween is not a time to hide from the Boston music scene with all that it has to offer, last night being no exception.
The show that I chose was an intimate gathering at the Regatta Bar celebrating the release of Boogie Stop Shuffle,
The Boston Horns debut effort. A mixture of deep funk and jazz rhythms, this album is proof positive that the old 70's
JB's sound is alive and well, and in addition, can be blended with contemporary jazz interpretations.
The front men for this 6-piece powerhouse of funk is none other than the duo of Garrett Savluk on trumpet, and
Henley Douglas Jr. on sax, formerly of the Heavy Metal Horns. Standing out on the guitar is Jeff Buckridge, and his
counter part on bass is Mike Rush. Mark Longo is the utterly enthusiastic man at the keys, and Jack Howard Jr. is the
percussionist. In a fashion that had both jazz etiquette and freelance funk, the sextet played 2 sets of tight jams.
The Regatta Bar in Harvard Square is a small jazz joint that has many similarities to its Boston counterpart, Scullers .
Both have a nautical theme, both in upscale hotels, and both are often sit down, buttoned up and reserved in style.
But the Regatta Bar stands out for having the Boston Horns this Halloween night.
While the crowd was intimate, the sound was reaching down the stairs, out the big bay windows on to the rainy
Cambridge Street, and seeping into the ears of the attentive audience. It is always a pleasure to be in the presence
of people who make great music, and those who appreciate it. In the first set the crew went from playing their
homespun funk to interpretations of jazz classics. Like mad scientists in their Halloween costumes, they conjured and
concocted from a thorough knowledge of music. The first of these thematic covers was a sped up, ska style,
"Barbados" (Charlie Parker). Bird would have been pleased with the new sound derived from his classic, as would
Mingus with The Horns interpretation of "Boogie Stop Shuffle." Chosen as the title track for the new disc, this bass
heavy jazz tune was transformed into a mosaic that included a monster guitar solo by Jeff Buckridge.
This blending of flavors and sounds continued on into the second set, with "Head in the History," a tune that features
several vignettes of classic jazz and funk hits. "History" is a perfect tune to look at to exemplify this band's talents, a
hard hitting funk beat that gives way to beautiful horn riffs by Garret and Henley. More original tunes filled out the
second set, the last two of which call for special attention; "Afro Soup" and "850." The former is a calypso style beat
that is reminiscent of Paul Simon's Graceland . A fun and free tune, "Afro Soup" sounds at first to be dance number,
but has many complex rhythms weaved throughout. Then "850" is fast and furious funk, dripping with bass and
creating the sonic enormity that fills a room with music. "850" is a brand new funk classic, listen to it and love it, you
have no choice.
Taking a page from the great ones, and writing a few of their own, the Boston Horns are the real deal. Educators
(literally) and historians, bringing music to the people. Grab the disc and take a listen, whatever the tune, the Boston
Horns make it funky."
Jeff Bergman
Boston Correspondent
Go See Live Music!
Halloween is not a time to hide from the Boston music scene with all that it has to offer, last night being no exception.
The show that I chose was an intimate gathering at the Regatta Bar celebrating the release of Boogie Stop Shuffle,
The Boston Horns debut effort. A mixture of deep funk and jazz rhythms, this album is proof positive that the old 70's
JB's sound is alive and well, and in addition, can be blended with contemporary jazz interpretations.
The front men for this 6-piece powerhouse of funk is none other than the duo of Garrett Savluk on trumpet, and
Henley Douglas Jr. on sax, formerly of the Heavy Metal Horns. Standing out on the guitar is Jeff Buckridge, and his
counter part on bass is Mike Rush. Mark Longo is the utterly enthusiastic man at the keys, and Jack Howard Jr. is the
percussionist. In a fashion that had both jazz etiquette and freelance funk, the sextet played 2 sets of tight jams.
The Regatta Bar in Harvard Square is a small jazz joint that has many similarities to its Boston counterpart, Scullers .
Both have a nautical theme, both in upscale hotels, and both are often sit down, buttoned up and reserved in style.
But the Regatta Bar stands out for having the Boston Horns this Halloween night.
While the crowd was intimate, the sound was reaching down the stairs, out the big bay windows on to the rainy
Cambridge Street, and seeping into the ears of the attentive audience. It is always a pleasure to be in the presence
of people who make great music, and those who appreciate it. In the first set the crew went from playing their
homespun funk to interpretations of jazz classics. Like mad scientists in their Halloween costumes, they conjured and
concocted from a thorough knowledge of music. The first of these thematic covers was a sped up, ska style,
"Barbados" (Charlie Parker). Bird would have been pleased with the new sound derived from his classic, as would
Mingus with The Horns interpretation of "Boogie Stop Shuffle." Chosen as the title track for the new disc, this bass
heavy jazz tune was transformed into a mosaic that included a monster guitar solo by Jeff Buckridge.
This blending of flavors and sounds continued on into the second set, with "Head in the History," a tune that features
several vignettes of classic jazz and funk hits. "History" is a perfect tune to look at to exemplify this band's talents, a
hard hitting funk beat that gives way to beautiful horn riffs by Garret and Henley. More original tunes filled out the
second set, the last two of which call for special attention; "Afro Soup" and "850." The former is a calypso style beat
that is reminiscent of Paul Simon's Graceland . A fun and free tune, "Afro Soup" sounds at first to be dance number,
but has many complex rhythms weaved throughout. Then "850" is fast and furious funk, dripping with bass and
creating the sonic enormity that fills a room with music. "850" is a brand new funk classic, listen to it and love it, you
have no choice.
Taking a page from the great ones, and writing a few of their own, the Boston Horns are the real deal. Educators
(literally) and historians, bringing music to the people. Grab the disc and take a listen, whatever the tune, the Boston
Horns make it funky."
Jeff Bergman
Boston Correspondent
Go See Live Music!