 |
Who: With members from the Cosmic Sweat Society, the Neville Brothers and alumni from Rebirth Brass Band and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Underdawgs possess a fine pedigree. The rhythm section features Elliot Cohn on guitar, bassist Kenny Green, and drummer Willie Green—no relation to Kenny. Throw in pianist/organist Mike Burkart and a horn section of Shamarr Allen on trumpet and tenor saxman Flee, and what have you got? Says Cohn: “the sound of the new New Orleans.”
Where: OffBeat First Friday party February 2 at Ray’s Room.
Why: Ever since Cohn gave Allen some Dramamine on the first Jam Cruise, the two have wanted to collaborate. It took them several years, but the Underdawgs are the result and they don’t want to be thought of as just another New Orleans group. “We’re mixing a lot of styles,” says Cohn. “There are elements of hip-hop, overtones of reggae and Latin—but the predominant sound is funky rock. We have lots of improv, and everybody is an exceptionally good soloist.”
They’re not afraid of onstage experimentation, either. The horns might use electronic effects, Allen might rap a few verses and, according to Cohn, “you’re never going to see the same show twice.” The bottom line? “If you like aggressive rock, you’ll love this group. But if you love the Meters—you will still love this group.”
What You Need to Know: Their first album will be out by Jazz Fest. As for the band name, Cohn hints at its meaning. “None of us went to music school,” he says. “None of us are trained musicians.”
