Picture Show: Greyboy Allstars @ Brooklyn Bowl

Greyboy Allstars @ Brooklyn Bowl – April 6th

Photos and Words: Andrew Blackstein

While still waiting for Spring to actually show up in New York City, The Greyboy Allstars made their way to Brooklyn this past weekend for two jazz/funk-filled shows. Originating from San Diego, Karl Denson (saxophone, flute) Robert Walter (keyboards), Chris Stillwell (bass), Elgin Park (also known as Mike Andrews) (guitar), and Aaron Redfield (drums) bring a unique brand of dance friendly improv that centers around Denson’s vision of combining sax solos and tightly woven percussion beats. Denson’s arsenal these days sees much more than just two saxophones and a flute, as a cowbell, a shaker, a triangle, a tambourine and a dozen other “instruments” were littered on the stage.

[All Photos by Andrew Blackstein]

Although Denson might be the bands driving creative force, Robert Walter’s present organ work should not be overlooked. Songs like Cramp Your Style and Trash Trunk show off just how deep a Hammond organ can be. Walter’s ability to decorate any and every groove is truly a special gift that not many musicians possess.

The Greyboy Allstars were slated to play three sets on Saturday night with DJ Logic spinning in between one of the sets and after the third. For whatever reason, DJ Logic canceled at some point during the first set. When walking outside in between sets a flyer was posted informing the audience about the change. Set two featured a continuation of the Allstars performing most of their new album, Inland Emperor, for the Brooklyn crowd. The new material was strong, well rehearsed, and translated as well as their tunes from late 1990’s. Having some help from Maurice Brown (trumpet) & Cochemea Gastelum (sax), many attendees appeared to be pleased with what was a solid night of music, food and bowling. Here’s a full gallery of Andrew Blackstein’s photos of the Greyboy Allstars…

Set 1: Diminishing Blackness , What Happened To TV, Old Crow , Bomb Pop , Still Waiting , Back In The Game , Flood In Franklin Park, Wandering , Fried Grease , Multiplier, Profundo Grosso

Set 2:  Wynder K Frog , Bitch Inside Me , The Way You Make Me Feel , Inland Emperor , Cramp Your Style, Quantico, VA *, Little Miss Lover , Breaking Blood , Jungle Strut *@ ->  Trash Truck , Toys R Us

 Encore:  Kick To The Head, Burrito On The Floor

* – w/ Maurice Brown on trumpet
@ – w/ Cochemea Gastelum on alto sax and percussion