 
Much has changed
since Dave Weckl formed the band nearly a decade ago; new faces, new gear, and
constantly evolving technology in terms of producing,
selling, purchasing, and experiencing recorded music.
One thing that
hasn't changed, however, is the commitment by these
world-class writers/instrumentalists to produce consistently
smart and uncompromising jazz for a legion of devoted fans.
Dave Weckl
decided to fulfill his dream of starting a live band in
1998. Having released three solo projects that featured top
jazz performers such as Chick Corea, Anthony Jackson,
Michael Brecker and Steve Gadd, Dave was driven to write and
produce music driven by band chemistry - and delivered
personally to audiences worldwide.
The original DWB
lineup included two musicians Dave had known, respected, and
played with
for years; Jay Oliver (keyboards), who had been Dave's good friend since
high school, and Tom Kennedy (bass), who had jammed with
Dave since the age of 15. Jay had been very involved in
writing and production of Dave's original three
solo records, while Tom
also appeared on many of the songs. Rounding out the lineup
were two highly-respected world-class musicians in Brandon
Fields (saxophones) and Buzz Feiten (guitars).
The band's first
release, "Rhythm of the Soul," was truly a band effort.
While the solo records featured many different artists
"sitting in" on the projects, ROS was about
collaboration and chemistry that started in the studio and
grew stronger as live performances - something Dave hadn't
been able to do previously.
As a truly
collaborative effort, ROS also introduced a
consistency in theme and feel that comes with a total band
effort. Both sonically and thematically, one could sense
something more organic and loose - with R&B/Blues, funk and
New Orleans-inspired textures.
"The Zone"
kicked it all off with thick pocket grooves, soulful organ
and guitar solos, and a fat bottom end. "101 Shuffle, "Mud
Sauce," (with Tom on an upright bass), and "Designer
Stubble" introduced a myriad of textures that many fans had
never heard in Dave's music - with driving guitar leads and
authentic R&B flavors. And the mysterious "Someone's
Watching" featured beautiful sax leads with undercurrent of
warm ambience.
The "band
sensibility" manifested itself in a different way when Dave,
Jay, and Tom recorded "Transition Jam." Symbolic of Dave's
goal to put together a band with his longtime friends, this
particular song captured three friends, 22 years after they
had first jammed together in one of their living rooms in
St. Louis, jamming again in a studio as accomplished
professional musicians - in a band together.
And there was
more to it than that. As Dave describes in the record's
liner notes, "we wanted everyone to hear the awesome Tom
Kennedy, so we decided to set up a couple of mics and roll
tape...Yeah Tommy!"
The band pulled
off some ambitious jams in "Access Denied" (including Frank
Gambale on guitar and Steve Tavaglione on tenor sax), and
"Big B Little B" (also featuring Frank and Bob Malach
on tenor sax). Dave paid tribute to the passing
of legendary R&B/Gospel pianist Richard Tee and the birth of
his daughter, Claire, with "Song for Claire."
"Synergy" (1999)
was named for the spontaneous manner in which much of the
record was written. In the album's liner notes, Dave says "I
decided to have a band writing day, rehearsal kind of jam
session, which ended up yielding the foundation for almost
half of the material for the CD."
"High Life"
kicked this record off with a bright groove, displaced
syncopations, and extended sax and keys solos -
wrapping up with a powerful drum solo.
Buzz wrote two
strong tunes on the album - "Panda's Dream," with strong,
defined riffs that were a trademark aspect of the band's
sound at that time, and the delicate, acoustic flavored "A
Simple Prayer." Both added greatly to this record.
Of course, a highlight of the
record is "Cultural Concurrence," an all-percussion piece
featuring looped African drum sounds and trademark drum set
soloing. This piece is followed by a newer version of the
old favorite, "Tower of Inspiration," called "Tower '99."
Fans of the original version on the "Master Plan" record will
appreciate the funky/groovy feel to the newer one.
Prior to the band's next record,
in 2000, both Jay and Buzz left to pursue the many other
projects on their respective plates. This is when Steve
Weingart joined. Appropriately, the new lineup produced the
band's next record, entitled "Transition."
This record offered several
tunes that have become fan favorites at live shows on the
band's live record ("LIVE...and
Very Plugged In"), including "Wake Up," "Braziluba,"
"Crossing Paths," and "Just for the Record." The record also
featured the addition of
Remo percussion
to Dave's kit, and his creative use of these new drums
shined all over the record - particularly on the last track,
entitled "Amanecer."
Likewise, "Perpetual Motion"
found the new lineup maturing and producing many interesting
and angular grooves, such as on "Double Up" and "Child's
Play." "Mesmer-Eyes" has become a live favorite with its
keyboard and sax duel, and so has "Tiempo de Festival," a
DWB classic, with plenty of powerful moments and individual
solos.
In 2002, the band produced its
first-ever and long awaited live album. A two-disc package,
"Live...and Very Plugged In" captured the band at its peak
of energy and playfulness.
Every song on "Live..." has its own unique
turns from the studio version and there are plenty of
signature moments of comedy - some planned and some not
planned. "Hesitation" finds the audience rolling in laughter
as Dave and Gary Meek play a short into to Pee Wee Ellis'
"The Chicken." And...Tom's sense of humor shines
when he answers someone's cell
phone ringing in the audience with his own interpretation on
the bass during his solo on Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning."
But this is an album of serious
music - highlighted by the interplay of four great musicians
who, together and independently, bring new energy to many of
the band's best tunes. And Dave takes his drum solo to
all-new heights. A track every drummer should hear,
"Cultural Concurrence" finds Dave exploring many corners of
his repertoire, from the opening brush work and underlying
double-bass drum pulse to a fantastic percussion movement,
signature drum set soloing, and tasteful cymbal work to
close out the piece.
In 2005, the band released
"Multiplicity."
The record
featured a diverse lineup of nine songs highlighting the
writing talents of Steve, Gary and Dave, who spent many
hours together in Dave's studio composing most of the
material. But the performance talents of all the band
members shined through on this album.
From the bright opening track,
"Watch Your Step," to the delicate "Inner Vision,"
"Multiplicity" had a multitude of textures. The funky "Watch
Your Step" offered a solid groove building into a drum solo
in the middle. Dave sat behind the board for this entire
record - yielding a very precise sound not unlike his
approach to music.
2006 will be an interesting year
for the band - perhaps along the lines of the "Transition"
period. In August, 2006, Steve Weingart will leave the DWB
to pursue other projects. Jay Oliver will return to the band
for some North American tour dates and, rumor has it, some
new music will result from the collaboration.
Stay tuned for the
latest news!
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