ANTHONY SMITH'S TRUNK FULLA FUNK, is in Smith's words, "an infectiously grooving sextet featuring stellar musicians from across the country--a hybrid of classic funk/rock/soul influences, with all the rock and jam-oriented improvisation you might expect." "TFF" is indeed the product of Smith's experience and imagination, and perhaps more importantly, his rare talent as an effective, charismatic band leader. Smith's choices to fill the roles of backing musicians are savvy and precise, and nowhere was this more evident than when choosing a lead singer and co-frontman.
"I've never subscribed to the idea of being a musical purist," Smith notes. "I'm passionate about a number of genres, even though my roots are in jazz." These myriad influences are evident in everything Smith does, whether it's holding down the challenging Hammond B-3 chair in the nationally acclaimed Karl Denson Trio (KD3), of which he is an original member, or writing and producing albums for Portland, Oregon-based Terrestrial Records.
Fully apparent in TFF's sound are the jam band sensibilities that Smith gleaned through years of relentless touring with Global Funk Council (which he created, managed, and directed musically), not to mention collaborations with such jam notables as (Garaj Mahal guitarist) Fareed Haque and (Funky Meters/Vida Blue drummer) Russell Batiste. "I love Phish, Moe, Widespread Panic--a lot of that stuff. That scene has been a central part of my life for the better part of ten years now, and I'm proud to have been a part of it."
After nearly two decades spent refining his numerous talents and crafts, Anthony Smith now stands poised to step into the spotlight as a songwriter, producer, and band leader with his Trunk Fulla Funk and receive the accolades that have long been in reach. |
