Kingcake by Matt Zebley, Scot Ray, Brad Dutz, Bill Barrett
Matt Zebley - woodwinds
Brad Dutz - percussion
Scot Ray - tuba
Bill Barrett - chromatic harmonica
"Tuba-driven, quirky, and fun, KINGCAKE.....indulges in a kind of under-the-big-top showmanship that's simultaneously serious and sly. By merging compositional precision with free-leaning improv and - at times - a clownish sense of humor, the band forms a pliable, entertaining music that's sharply focused. With tunes largely revolving around Scot Ray's bubbly bounce on the burliest of brass instruments, the band evokes lowdown Nawlins funk and pomo-bop sparkle with a combination of LA style and trad-jazz substance. Woodwind player Matt Zebley further invokes the spirit of the legendary Eric Dolphy every time he busts a bent blue note on his tone-rich bass clarinet. It's a welcome allusion and a snug fit with the leader's plump grooves and Brad Dutz's multi-phonic percussion, which bobs to and fro in its dual role as rhythmic anchor and melodic colorist. The group's crafty three-ring circus will dazzle jazz fans across the spectrum." - Sam Prestani, San Francisco Weekly
"What a combination! ...three outcats swinging on a star and creating aural landscapes. They interact with considerable cohesion, like longtime friends who know each other's moves. Full of life and rooted in the New Orleans tradition, Kingcake finds a way to tie together the beginning and the end of our first jazz century. Highly recommended." - Jim Santella, All About Jazz
"I thought I'd heard it all in 50 years of jazz collecting but Kingcake is definitely different. They have a style that is in a category all by itself. Call it 'free jazz' or....'New Orleans in the 4th Dimension'. You might feel as I do that Kingcake is a whittled down version of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with a 'sense of humor'. Expect some pyrotechnics from tuba player, Scot Ray who shows a beautiful command of the brass bass. I really liked this little band from South Pasadena and would love to see them on stage!" - Richard Bourier, JazzReview
"............one of the finest new CDs on the indie jazz scene is a thing called Kingcake." - Michael Davis, New Times Los Angeles
Recorded at Apperson Street Studio.
Mastered by Wayne Peet at Newzone Studio.
https://braddutz.bandcamp.com
https://www.mattzebley.com
https://billbarrett.bandcamp.com
Track 10 written by Art Jarvinen
Track 6 written by Tim Martin
Tracks 4,13 written by Matt Zebley
Tracks 2,7,9 written by Brad Dutz
Tracks 1,3,5,6,8,11,12,14,16 written by Scot Ray
Tracks 15,17 traditional.
Tracklist
| 1. | volkswagon | 4:17 |
| 2. | bison will graze | 4:27 |
| 3. | pinball wizard | 4:18 |
| 4. | the elusive moment | 3:50 |
| 5. | lucky dip | 2:14 |
| 6. | monkjunk | 5:37 |
| 7. | dolphy | 4:25 |
| 8. | chunk | 4:46 |
| 9. | theodore hawkins | 5:32 |
| 10. | teeth | 4:56 |
| 11. | zinke's drive in | 6:05 |
| 12. | glee-bop | 3:32 |
| 13. | sunc | 3:33 |
| 14. | martin squared | 3:21 |
| 15. | jah duh | 4:31 |
| 16. | trickbag | 4:00 |
| 17. | closer walk | 4:15 |
