Sonny Knight Celebration of Life Planned for 6/27

Sonny Knight Celebration of Life Planned for Tuesday 6/27.

Anyone feeling compelled to honor our dear friend, Sonny Knight, is welcome to attend the celebration of his life scheduled for Tuesday. Details below.
Sonny Knight Celebration of Life
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Visitation: 1pm
Service: 2pm
Hennepin Ave United Methodist Church
511 Groveland Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Over these past few years of getting to know Sonny through phone conversations and backstage hangs was always enlightening, stories told and new memories shared were always started and ended with a smile. The humble and true gentle soul of Sonny always left me feeling warm and the appreciation of our shared time always went both ways. We spoke of the wild life journey to get his names in lights, the feeling he had about giving us everything he had and how it was all of us: the listeners, the attendees and the friends, that sparked and energized his giant soul.
Sonny and the Lakers thankfully came to Madison a bunch and based on the crowd support at the shows, Madison loved the show, the songs and the man. He had a way of fitting right into the scene here and when he sweat for us, we shared in the heat of the event completely.

Since the band’s 2013 introduction to the Minnesota scene, and soon after the world at large, Sonny gave his best to his band members and to the music-loving crowds who attended their shows across the globe. After a short stint in the mid-‘60s recording singles as Little Sonny Knight and then as a member of funk group Haze in the ‘70s, Sonny traded in his microphone for a stick shift and a breeze as a full-time truck driver who traveled the United States. Much of this was after an honorable few years in the US Army serving the country he loved.
Educated by those experiences, he entered back into the music business in 2014 as a solo artist with a renewed vigor in the studio and on stage. From heartfelt ballads to upbeat dance numbers, Sonny captivated audiences the world over with his backing band, The Lakers.

Sonny leaves a legacy of entertainment and a joy for life that won’t soon be forgotten by his family, friends, band, and fans. Upon the release of I’m Still Here, his debut album with the Lakers, Sonny opined, “Sometimes I wonder, why me? Why are all these great things happening now? All I can say is thanks. These are dreams that I had forgotten. Only now that they are starting to come true do I remember that I had them at all.”

Thank you, Sonny.

Peacefully Be, Sonny.

Stefanie Berecz – Right Now

Had the opportunity to catch back up with Stef as The Right Now make a stop Friday, June 30th at The Frequency. The pop-meets-soul music coupe with the captivating voice of friend of the proGram, Stefanie Berecz, is sure to deliver a celebration of thoughtful, catchy songwriting with intricate arrangements to the Madison scene once agGain. We are thankful to have them. Since 2009 the band has toured much of the United States and released two highly acclaimed albums, racking up placements in television, national commercials, and the multi-million-selling video game Watch Dogs.

The band’s Chicago roots are heard and witnessed throughout their music and performances: breezy horn lines sit atop soul grooves old and new, all while Stef elevates one audience after another with her story telling and shared moment, in the moment attention to the crowd. So, to try and fill the Frequency for the show, Stef and I discussed what the experience for an individual catching them for the first time, the newest album “Starlight”, which examines a complicated world through the eyes of the fighter, the lover, the philosopher, the addict and the mother. We spoke about the process between then and now and how the newest songs developed and we find out what she would do with 30 minutes of this radio proGramming if I left it up to her when I went to get us some milk & cookies…….hmmm….what would she do?

One thing for certain, the Right Now and Stef are a today’s band with sounds of now and the past blending to make for a fun show, featuring tunes we can all relate to.

GrooveSession’s Manny Sanchez and G

It is always nice when family comes back to town for a sweaty squeeze. I cauGht up with my brother Manny Sanchez of GrooveSession as they make their way back to Madison on Friday, June 23rd at the Alchemy. I am proud to call these grooveanauts my family as their vibe of spreading goodness and love through music is a contagious thing that hopefully catches on with you, the listener and the ones who see them live in concert. Clearly, each time they head out to a venue, they will loudly threaten you(s) with a good time!! We spoke about what a GrooveSession is and how sweaty does one have to be to know you are doing it right. Manny shared some thoughts on this years Steel Bridge Songfest that they had a chance to be back and a part of, as well as when we might be expecting a new release. Ultimately, you can read about and listen to this group and get the idea, but it isn’t until you go sweat and dance and become friends with this power trio that you fully “get” their true mission of spreading kindness through their grooves.

GrooveSession

Silver Ochre’s Hot Pursuit of Happiness With Thollem Electric

On Saturday, June 24th at 8pm, Arts & Literature Laboratory presents “Silver Ochre’s Hot Pursuit of Happiness with Thollem Electric”. Silver Ochre’s Hot Pursuit of Happiness is a rapid fire live audio/visual experience of an epic journey throughout the continental U.S. by videographer ACVilla and composer/keyboardist, Thollem Electric. Always somewhere between being pursued and pursuing, the bitter sweet existence in 21st century America. This is a distillation of the U.S. and its conflicts between security and liberty and competing ideas of freedom. Thollem and ACVilla have both been traveling around the country for decades and are currently working on a 3 year endeavor called “Who Are U.S.” Silver Ochre’s touring stateside from April 6th – November 19th.

With Thollem on an unruly electronic beast of vintage keyboards, stomp boxes, a microphone and occasional special guests, the music is an amalgam of infinite possibilities bringing together sounds and musics heard around this country. A sonic celebration from the immense array of diversity in our multi-cultural society amid the present and historical struggles for liberty and justice for all. Sometimes it will sound like a million people screaming from which distinct voices percolate, twist, turn and evolve into and out of everything else; a parade of characters that intermingle in love and fury.

I had a chance to catch up with Thollem to discuss this project and what it has turned into and what the future holds in store for both he and ACVilla as this journey adapts and grows. Find out more by listening in to our shared time and maybe even find out how you can experience the “what’s happening” around you.

Find out more here as well.

Thollem & ACVilla

Skeleton Blues

The second portion of the proGram featured tunes to shake your bones at, shrimp bones included. A Big greenarrowradio thank you to Matt Doe of Too Many Zooz for being a part of the show while giving us an idea what a “Brasshouse” is built on:

What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love- The Isley Brothers & Carlos Santana
Put it in The Boogie- Zach Deputy
The Music- Zach Deputy

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Get Out Of My Life Woman- The Fabulous Impacts
Suffering Soul- Guitar Murphy
Baby That;s All- Gentle Uprising
Total Destruction of Your Mind- The Isley Brothers & Carlos Santana

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Take These Memories- Creations
To Be A Man- New World
Wade in the Water- Charlie Chisholm Bosstet
Never Before- San Francisco Committee

Cranberry Sunshine- Melvin Sparks (live at Nectars)
Like a D0g- Trombone Shorty

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Tricerahops- Too Many Zooz
**Prerecorded conversation with Matt Doe of Too Many Zooz**
Brasshouse Vol. 7 No. 69- Too Many Zoz
Kings Avenue- Too Many Zooz Ft. members of Galactic
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Galactica- Bang Data
Black Betty- Caravan Palace
30 HZ Dub Prelude- Gaudi
Tear My Heart- Moon Boots Ft. Lulu James (Nick Trikakis Remix)
Return of the March- Big Mean Sound Machine

Fenway Park and Ride

The first portion of the proGram made sure you were home sweet home, safe with a head first slide and a check of your bags:

Remington- Andy Hall & Roosevelt Collier
Nelly- the Deslondes
Hurricane Shakedown- the Deslondes
Light- Moses Guest

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Ain’t it Funny- the Trongone Band
Deep Ellum- North Mississippi All Stars
Girl I Love- Chris Robinson Brotherhood (live)
Tales of Thunder Teeth- Chris Robinson Brotherhood (live)

Stone Cold Rage- Gov’t Mule
Come and Go Blues- Gregg Allman Ft. Warren Haynes (live)
I Can’t be Satisfied- Gregg Allman (live, 1/14/2014)
Whipping Post- Gregg Allman (live, 1/14/2014)
~~~
Rest Cure- Kris Gietkowski
Devil’s Grip- Kris Gietkowski
Piper at The Gate of Time- Fuchsia
Scary Monsters- Anton Barbeau
Strange Roads- Sidewalk Society

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Fun- Blondie
Lower Worlds- Rainer Maria
Everything- The Deadmen
Ground Control- Boss Hog
Elevator- Boss Hog

Waterfront Pre-show

Filled on for an hour before the official start of the proGram, to let some jazz out, well whatever it was, I let it out like this:

Thanatos- Antonella Chionna ft. Pat Battstone, Kit Demos & Richard Poole
Nell’urna molle e segreta- Antonella Chionna ft. Pat Battstone, Kit Demos & Richard Poole
Rather Life- Antonella Chionna ft. Pat Battstone, Kit Demos & Richard Poole
Mission Cimbalom- Marius Preda
98 Strings vs Stern & Preda- Marius Preda ft. Mike Stern
Skin Game (Granny Said It)- Sweet Lu Olutosin Ft. Tyrone Jackson/Donald Brown/Mace Hibbard/Kevin Smith/Lester Walker & Henry Conerway III

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Three Cornered Hat- Bill Cunliffe
Rhythm-a-Ning- Thelonious Monk Quintet
Every Man is a King- Gerald Cannon

~~~
Heaven- Pere Ubu (live at the Knitting Factory)
I Know the Problem- Stringfaced (live at the Knitting Factory)
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There is a G- Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber Ft. Dean Bowman & Julie Brown
Cremate Me- Mike Dillon
Coyote Hearing- Marco Benevento

Too Many Zooz’ Matt Doe – From Subway to Queen B.

Had a chance to catch up with Matt Doe of Too Many Zooz as they will be playing the after party on June 23rd once the Dark Star Orchestra finishes up their “Live on King Street” Performance. Set to hit the Majestic Theater stage around 11pm to help the Madison scene walk into the front door of a “Brasshouse” experience. We spoke about the process of going from NYC subway musicians crafting and tuning their craft up to being found out by the Queen B herself, Beyoncé and how that led to working on her Lemonade album as well as some dates working with her team in a live setting.

With the trend towards electronic instrumentation in music, it’s easy to forget where it all first started: on street corners with real instruments, playing for tips, that is until you’ve heard Too Many Zooz. This three-piece “BrassHouse” band is Matt Doe, Leo P, and King of Sludge. They have now worked with a wide group of artists that is stretching the boundaries of their sound, including friends of the proGram Galactic and Beats Antique, to create a mind opening provocative body shake groove.

Named one to Billboards’ Top 25 Next Big Sound, thanks in part to a video of one of their frenetic subway performances was posted to Reddit and went viral to the tune of over 2.2 million views, and in a very short time amassed a large fan base. If you make your way to the June 23rd show in Madison, you’ll understand why this trio’s mark being left is real and true and set to make a lot of noise heading into the future. Their groove is infectious and easy to move to and all the instruments come together in an explosive climax of sound. Too Many Zooz will definitely force you to reconsider the way you think/listen to music.

A Smoker of an Extra Set

Stayed a little extra in studio to keep the proGram smokin’ it out for you, here’s what kept the buzzers buzzing:

Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite- S.F String Trio
Dominant Force- Aruán Ortiz
Pannonica (Solo)- Thelonious Monk Quintet
Light Blue- Thelonious Monk Quintet

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Track 1- Victor DeLorenzo
Track 2- Victor DeLorenzo
Track 9- Victor DeLorenzo
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Neverafter- Kazutoki Umezu & Samm Bennett (live at the Knitting Factory)
Zo Ble Zo- Expatriate Fantasy Ft. Pheeroan akLaff (live at the Knitting Factory)
Slipshod- Joe Morris’ Sweatshop (live at The Knitting Factory)
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The Night Has a Thousand Eyes- Camille Thurman (live)
Henbane- Jamie Saft/Steve Swallow/Bobby Previte

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When It’s Getting Dark- The Microscopic Septet
I’ve Got a Right to Cry- The Microscopic Septet

Building Reflections

The second portion of the proGram took the angles and mirrored the view back at you:

Tequila- Fantastic Virtues
Meditation of the Soul- Virtues
Buck Dance- Plas Johnson
Sunshine- Magic
Al’s Thing- Al Walton Trio

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Interlude at Roadhouse Eleven- Tape Five
The Magic Slapstick- Tape Five
Crazy World Crazy World- Tape Five
Yellow Ochre Pt2- Vels Trio
40 Point- Vels trio Ft. Shabaka Hutchings

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Get Lost- Washed Out
Workingonit- Abstract Orchestra
Raw Shit- Abstract Orchestra
Take It Back- The Haggis Horns Ft. Doc Brown

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Black Nylon- Bei Bei & Shawn Lee
Kang Ding Love- Bei Bei & Shawn Lee
Muévelo Papi (Club Des Belugas Remix)- Bahama Soul Club
Rumba Fugaz (Jack & Jointz Remix)- Bahama Soul Club
Hired Guns- Big Mean Sound Machine
Burning Van- Big Mean Sound Machine

~~~
Vayn Fun Lebn (Gypsy Tribal Mix)- Lenkkodek
Arum Dem Fayer (Alchemical Mix)- Lekkodek
Dawn Circus- Heliocentrics
Comedown- Zak Damundo
Stop Pretending- Cilantro Boombox
Makossa Con Son- Cilantro Boombox

The Bee’s Backyard

The first portion of the proGram had the natural landscape of a bee day in mind, the wings can take and provide such sweet change:

Montana- Making Movies
Spinning Out- Making Movies
The Cage- Nina Miranda
Capoeira- Nina Miranda
Reflection- Eliot Lipp
Truly- Cigarettes After Sex

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Out of the Wilderness- The Coco Mamas
Move Upstairs- The Coco Mamas
I Want You Bad- Andy T. Band Ft. Alabama Mike

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She Belongs to Me- Chris Robinson Brotherhood (live)
Can You Fool- Pat Monahan & Martina McBride (live)
Melissa- Gregg Allman with Jackson Browne (live)
One Way Out- John Hiatt (live)
Statesboro Blues- Gregg Allman & Taj Mahal (live)
I’m No Angel- Trace Adkins (live)
Midnight Rider- Vince Gill/Zac Brown & Gregg Allman (live)
Dreams- The Allman Brothers Band (live)
Singing Steel- Andy Hall & Roosevelt Collier
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The Bride Wore Black- Flogging Molly
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Up in the Hills- Bernie Worrell Ft. Mike Gordon
I Can Fly- Gemma & the Travellers
Snakes- El Michels Affair Ft. Lee Fields
Tearz- El Michels Affair Ft. Lee Fields & The Shacks

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Real Life Baby- Cookin’ on 3 Burners Ft. Emmi
Eastside Theme- East Side Blues
Ain’t No Women (like the one I got)- Melvin Sparks (live at Nectars)
Family Man- Gene Faith