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Archive for the ‘jazz’ Category
Band Series, Part 4 ~ Introducing David Archuleta’s Band
Posted by bebereader on Friday, May 27, 2011
Having no idea how important a bass player is to a band, my assumption was that the bass is the least important instrument because you can barely hear it, right? Seems that I had it all wrong. In any band, the bass player has a crucial role because he is depended upon to propel the music along. Establishing and keeping a steady rhythm by working with the drummer is another one of the bassist’s primary functions. The bassist is also responsible for linking the harmony or backing chords of a song with the rhythm. The link is so important to the song because it contributes to the style of the music, whether rock, jazz, pop, etc.
Enter Ben Shepherd, David’s new bassist.
Ben hails from Wellington, New Zealand and now resides in Valencia, California where he attends California Institute of the Arts and majors in Jazz Studies. He plays funk, fusion and jazz. At only 21 years old, he’s already worked with top New Zealand jazz musicians like Leigh Jackson and Kirsten McKenzie. In 2008 he recorded his first album “Double Play” featuring his own compositions.
Ben Shepherd has his own band called Mr. DanZ. It’s a jazz/fusion/rock/funk/blues/gospel band and Steven Robinson, David’s percussionist is a member. He credits Herbie Hancock and Weather Report as the band’s biggest influences.
“With the tight explosive pocket of Steven J. Robinson on drums, the thunderous low end from Ben Shepherd on Bass to the mind blowing technique of Bulgarian Pianist/Keyboardist Milen Kirov combined with the fiery fingers of Neil Kogan on Guitar, Mr. DanZ’s sound and style will keep you on the edge of your seat with their high energy and freight train-like groove like no other.” ~from Mr. DanZ’s facebook page.
There is a more mature, complex, raw vibe showing in David’s recent performances. It’s no stretch of the imagination to believe his new band has played a role in that growth, and will continue to be a seminal influence in the months to come. This is not the track Jive had in mind for him, but this “explosive..thunderous..high energy freight train” has left the station and there’s no turning back.
Click here to go to Mr DanZ’s FB page.
Click here to visit Ben’s YouTube Channel
Posted in David Archuleta, jazz, Mr. DanZ, music genres | Tagged: All aboard!, Ben Shepherd, David Archuleta, It’s a jazz/fusion/rock/funk/blues/gospel band | 220 Comments »