That’s right kiddos, it is once again time for the annual holiday music extravaganza with Graham Reynolds’ Golden Arm Trio (that’s Utah Hamrick on bass, yours truly on drums) giving Frosty a curb-job and taking Rudolph on a bender while dirty dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairies. After that, The Invincible Czars will take the stage and promptly throw The Nutcracker into a wood chipper. Fun for all ages and a popular seasonal favorite, show up early, get some seasonal libations in you, and stake out your spot because this is going to be one wild ride..

Golden Arm Trio – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies

That’s right kids, I’m hitting the road with Graham Reynolds and Utah Hamrick in June.  We’ll be bringing the sound and fury of the Golden Arm Trio release “Portraits of Ellington” to the west coast.  Forget what you may love or hate about “jazz.”  This is something different.  Graham Reynolds and I first met nearly 15 years ago in the basement of the Empanada Parlour (RIP) where a community of bands were cutting their teeth.  (Blue Noise Band, The Blimp Trio, Los Tiburones De Laredo, Young Silly Bitches, Chris Black & The Holy Ghost, and The Golden Arm Trio were all part of a buzzing hive of musical adventure that would eventually spawn the Grammy-winning 12 headed beast that is Grupo Fantasma.)

When I met Graham, he was playing both piano AND drums at his shows with his drum throne spinning 180 degrees to either side as he alternated between keys and kit.  I don’t remember the first gig I played with him, but apparently he did, and I’ve been making regular appearances ever since.  It’s only recently that I’ve had the free time to really dig into what kind of creative freedom and musical challenges lie beneath the surface of what are some of Duke Ellington’s best (and least) known creations.  Playing as an actual trio (an ironic rarity for the Golden Arm Trio) with Dr. Utah Hamrick (“not that kind of doctor”) on upright bass, the usual creative improvisational interplay has been amplified infinitely.  I’m usually the one in any given band to pull the rug and shake musicians who might not be paying enough attention, tapping their foot to what they’re playing vs the beat, etc.  With this trio there’s a palpable fury of three electrons in a violent orbit.  Add a couple more doctors to the mix on saxophone and trombone in the form of Dr. John Mills and Dr. Freddie Mendoza, and you get something that could only be captured in HD with about a dozen cameras.  Fortunately, Austin PBS affiliate KLRU was kind enough to do this for us in their Arts In Context feature on Graham Reynolds.  While the 16 minute version of “Caravan” (and my featured intro solo) didn’t make the televised cut, you can view it (and every song from the program) on Vimeo here, or simply click the link below.

KLRU Presents Graham Reynolds

So, if you like what you see/hear, check the following dates. If we’re in your area, we’d love to see you. We’re three dudes in a van with a piano, an upright bass, and a three piece kit that Bonham would approve of. We’re hungry, we’re thirsty, and we’re going to shake some foundations. For an extra special treat, we’ll be doubling as the backing band for the powerful Christina Marrs (Asylum Street Spankers) on select dates, so stay tuned!

June 17th – Tucson AZ – Solar Culture
June 18th – Los Angeles CA – Bootleg
June 19th – San Francisco CA – Red Devil
June 22nd – Eugene OR – Sam Bond’s
June 23rd – Portland TBA
June 25th – Seattle WA – Sunset Tavern

More dates to be added, times announced, etc.