King Hippo

King Hippo delivers original music with a form of professionalism that stands out above many touring acts. Their unique blend of rock n roll, jazz and funk combined with a true sense of musical adventure set them apart from other bands currently on the road.King Hippo has been playing together for over three years and has accomplished much in that time. The band has become comfortable on stage together from playing weekly headlining gigs at regional music clubs, to being included on bills with such acts as John Scofield, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Col. Bruce Hampton.In November of 2001 King Hippo won the Battle of the Bands in Columbia, SC. They amazed the audience by playing one continuous six-hour set.In June 2002, King Hippo saw the return of Hollie Farris, Jeff "Mega" Watkins, and Tyrone Jefferson, of the James Brown Horn Section, for a couple of shows in Charleston, SC and Columbia, SC. The recent release, "Attack of the 3 Horned Hippo," features the Columbia show. This CD is the long awaited follow-up to the all-original August 2000 full-length studio CD entitled "Friday Night."King Hippo is a four-piece band comprised of Guitar, Keyboards, Bass and Drums. This band isn't the first experience playing music for Dennis, Jeff, Tom and Justin.Dennis Ware (Drums and Vocals) was a member of The Mountain Express Band since 1995, playing several hundred shows with them all over the East Coast.Jeff Kozelski and Tom Eden have been musical collaborators since 1994. They played together in one of Columbia's most popular "Jam-bands", Sh*ts and Giggles, before teaming up with Ware in 1999 to create King Hippo as an outlet for their original music. 2001 saw the addition of Justin Banks on Keyboards.Banks is an experienced musician and has played with such bands as Irene's Kitchen, The Kind, and The Echo Vine.A King Hippo show is a unique experience for the audience and the band alike each time they play. The show ranges from tightly composed pieces of original music to improvised jams that can evolve into whatever the band (or the audience) wants them to.King Hippo also plays some of their favorite songs by other artists they respect while adding a special Hippo twist to these familiar songs.It is King Hippo's sense of musical adventure and the freedom for each member to fully express themselves that keep the band excited about playing music and the audiences coming back for more.