Staples of the Phoenix art scene, the bohemian beat masters of Sonorous have their own unique, experimental, bass-driven, funk-infused sound. "A neo-traditional jazz outfit that's all about the bass line - and anything else that fits around it." mesa center for the arts
What the Phoenix New Times had to say about Sonorous...
"What started as a regular Tuesday night improvisational jam at the now-defunct Emerald Lounge between former Hypnotwists bassist Tato Caraveo, drummer Eric D, pianist/vocalist Matt Yazzie and whoever else happened to showed up soon morphed into Sonorous, a formidable jazz aggregation with a difference, since it includes musicians from rock, punk and folk circles that other, more snootier jazz players might let sit all night in the audience with their cases closed and never invite them up to play. This avant-garde amalgamation includes card-carrying Sonorous members like guitar hero Chris Doyle (formerly of Big Blue Couch) and Mike Red (frontman for Sound of Birds) literally pulling trombone duty here. Regular guests include a lounge pianist named Monty Banks, who gets to stretch out alto and tenor saxophone, and singer/songwriter Lonna Kelly, who gets to sound more brassy than introspective here. This mix and match of styles results in songs like “Navajazz†that sound more like a blaxpolitation soundtrack than traditional jazz, but even purists need a little neo now and then." -- Serene Dominic
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