Artist description An aggressive, guitar-fueled fusion quartet from Portland, Oregon. Old-school, funk and rock-driven fusion. Definitely not "smooth jazz."

Music Style Jazz Fusion

Musical Influences Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber Fusion, John Scofield, Crusaders, Weather Report, Return To Forever, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck

Similar Artists Steely Dan, (early '80s) Jeff Lorber, Crusaders, Larry Carlton

Artist History Spot 79 was formed in early-1998 by bassist John McIsaac, keyboardist Adam McIsaac and drummer Merrill James Hale. Guitarist M. DuWayne Franklin joined in mid-’98, and the band began a semi-regular Saturday night schedule at popular Portland jazz club Jimmy Mak’s. The group took a three-month hiatus in early 2000, during which time R.V. Dallman was tapped to replace Hale. Dallman had played with John McIsaac in an early-’90s Portland funk band, King Trout, and later, jam-rock group The Rockfords (not be confused with the current Seattle act featuring Pearl Jam's Mike McCready). Dallman also enjoyed a year-long tenure of performances and recording with Portland singer/songwriter Jeroan Van Aichen in 1994. Drawing from such influences as the Crusaders, Tommy Bolin, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, early Jeff Lorber, Weather Report and Jeff Beck, Spot 79’s music is reminiscent of ’70s jazz-rock fusion but not as jammy as some from that era. The compositions are decidedly more arranged and less improv-heavy as modern-day revivalists a la Medeski, Martin & Wood. In late-’99, Spot 79 released "East Side Pride," a self-produced collection of six original fusion tracks recorded by Robert Bartleson at Haywire Recording in S.E. Portland..

Group Members John McIsaac, Bass, Composer; Adam McIsaac, Keys, Composer; M. DuWayne Franklin, Guitars, Wry Observations; Richard Virgil Dallman, Drums, Street Credibility

Instruments Guitar, Keys, Bass, Drums

Albums East Side Pride

Location Portland, Oregon - USA

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