WHO: Jive, with guests Q
WHERE: Garibaldi Lift Company
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27
COST: $12 in advance
A slice of Boulder, Colorado’s musical best will be dishing up a little acid jazz and groove for the funk-minded this weekend, and judging from their reputation, it should be quite a party.
The six member line-up comprises Joel Bowers on saxophone, Dave Chiorini on bass, guitarists Dave Henry and Lance Smith, Tyler Bender on drums and Greg Warren playing sax and flute. In the 14 months the band has been together, Jive has earned a reputation in the United States as an energizing force with their special instrumental blend of grooved, soulful jams. Among their influences, the band cites such artists as James Brown, Bob Marley, Santana, Jerry Garcia and Led Zeppelin. However, it appears that Jive’s specialty is putting a new twist on an old theme.
An integral part of the Jive package, at least in Colorado, is "the DJ element" – typically a Boulder-based vinyl spinner who goes by the name of DJ Ivy. Smith says Ivy doesn’t scratch over the live performance but instead ensures a continuity of music and energy.
"Often when you go to shows and the band takes a set break, everybody clears off the dance floor too," he said. "Having the DJ there keeps the momentum going and when we come back on, he throws them (the audience) right back at us."
Bowers says it all makes for a non-stop party.
"The ultimate goal is to meld the two elements together seamlessly, with the DJ starting and the band members coming in one by one to create a total instrumental groove."
It also reaches a wide audience by attracting both live music and DJ culture fans, he added.
It’s a formula that seems to work, judging by Jive’s habit of performing into the night and through to sunrise.
Smith says Jive typically plays Colorado bars well past 3 in the morning, even though the alcohol has long stopped being served. In bigger centres the people just won’t go home.
"In places like New York people like to party and don’t care when the sun comes up, and in New Orleans you can walk around with a cocktail in your hand until 7 a.m., no problem."
Sadly however, DJ Ivy won’t be part of the Whistler performance.
Smith says it’s simply a case of economics, and at this stage Jive cannot afford to haul the extra person and gear around on tour. However, he says Whistler can still be assured of a Jive concert to remember.
"This is our first tour of the Pacific Northwest that includes Canada. The next time we’ll be back with our first CD, so we want to make sure people come and see us again," he said. "Plus we’ve got four very good snowboarders in the band so we’re really exciting about going riding in Whistler the day after the concert."
Jive’s first album, due out in the spring, is entitled Jive and will be a compilation of studio and live performances. Bowers believes it will find a very receptive market.
"Jam bands such as Sugarmen Three, the Rebirth Brass Band, Tiny Universe and Vinyl from San Francisco are alive and well in the U.S.," he explained. " We’re not expecting to sell thousands of albums but there is a growing group of people aged 21-plus who are tired of pop and MTV and want the live, interactive experience."
You can find it at the GLC.
