Here lies the
commencement of our Transcendent Artists series. This and the blogs to follow will highlight
independent artists who are making significant contributions in producing
TRANSCENDENT MUSIC. We begin our series
with a Jazz, Afro-beat, and Electronica fusion band from Boulder, Colorado, The Motet.
The Motet, in my
opinion, is resurrecting Jazz and FUNK music in popular culture. The urban community of the Colorado area
really stands behind this band. In
recent history it seems as if popular music has shifted away from live
instrumentation and has transitioned to predominantly computerized music. Artists rely on voice enhancements, catchy
choruses, and clever lyrics to move their audiences. The Motet is one of the few bands that I have
seen in a while who could rock a teenage and young adult crowd without a single
lyric. These master musicians perform
soulful FUNK rhythms fused with intricate jazz melodies virtually forcing
crowds to groove to their hypnotizing sound.
Their unique sound embodies complex Jazz and funky grooves reminiscent
of artists such as Herbie Hancock, James Brown and The Meters.
I discovered this
band at a Herbie Hancock Tribute show in which a few of their members
participated along with saxophonist, Dominic Lali of Big Gigantic. This show was the best concert I had ever
been to and I only paid $5 to see it. I left
that concert feeling inspired as a musician and optimistic for the future of
live music performance. Obviously music
performance is still prominent but music rooted in FUNK, jazz, and soul are
often lost or averted in popular music.
The author of their biography
on Facebook writes the following:
The Motet is a world-class ensemble that whips audiences into a
whirlwind using sheer impromptu force. The rhythms are spontaneous and textured
and the beats are hard driving. The band uses this energy to create a rapport
between the audience and themselves that is rarely seen in today's world of
manufactured rock. The Motet consecrates the ground on which dance music meets
free-form improvisation.
Lead drummer, Dave
Watts, founded the Motet 10 years ago.
Watts is also responsible for composing much of the intricate music
played by this incredible band. The
members include drummer and producer, Dave Watts; keyboardist, Joey Porter;
Garrett Sayers, bassist; Ryan Jalbert, guitarist; Gabe Mervine, trumpet; Matt
Pitts, tenor saxophone; Scott Messersmith, percussion; Pete Wall, baritone saxophone;
Dan Schwindt, guitar; Jans Ingber, vocals; and Paul McDaniel, bass and others
for special projects. Though I have
attempted to characterize this band they pride themselves in not conforming to
a defined genre. The biography on The Motet’s Facebook page
says, “With roots in Jazz, Afrobeat, funk, Salsa and Samba, The Motet keeps
their audiences in a dancing frenzy by layering House and Techno rhythms into a
style that is uniquely their own.”
The Motet has
released several albums, their sixth album being Dig Deep. This album can be downloaded for free on
their website. The Motet can be found
performing at music festivals and venues all over Colorado and the surrounding
area. Their next
show is tonight September 3, 2011 at Agave in Avon, CO. This phenomenal group of musicians has a
bright future. They are definitely
putting in the groundwork, by growing a strong base of supporters. This band is worth listening to but even more
so, worth listening to live. Their live
performance is one that will captivate anyone under the sound of their instruments. The Motet is certainly a band that produces
TRANSCENDENT MUSIC and has the support of the Transcendent Music Movement.
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