Otis Grove W/ Japhy Ryder

Saturday 4/28
Otis GROVE
and special guest Japhy Ryder
$8 advance / $10 at the door
8:30 doors / 9:30 show
www.otisgrove.net
www.japhyryder.com
Otis Grove began as a collective experiment in crossing the traditional organ jazz sound with funk, hip-hop, and rock tones. It was the beginning of a sonic realization based in groove and free in improvisation, yet rooted in songwriting and melodic structure. Since then the music has evolved into a unique blend of aggressive rock n' roll and high-intensity organ funk (some fans have dubbed their genre 'Runk'- a mixture of rock and funk). It pays tribute to the masters while consistently pushing itself in new directions. It's as if jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith had been the fifth member of Led Zeppelin, or if the Meters had joined forces with Black Sabbath. Performer Magazine writer Sam Merrick described it best as "a monstrous funk groove that probably would have sent Godzilla running had he been in the neighborhood."
A tight-knit group of musicians living, working, and performing in and around Burlington, Vermont, Japhy Ryder draw upon a diverse range of influences to create their unique blend of instrumental hip-hop, dub, rock and afro-beat.