Artist description 'Punk Jazz' played with banjo, bass, drums and percussion.

Music Style Fusion with influences of bluegrass, world music, Celtic, Indian and funk.

Musical Influences Many

Similar Artists Weather Report, Pat Metheny Group, John McLaughlin, (electric) Miles Davis, KIng Crimson, Pat Martino

Artist History Formed in Kutztown, Pennsylvania in 1999, Spacestation Integration, or SSI, has been challenging people’s conceptions of fusing the banjo with high-energy jazz. Now calling Chapel Hill, NC home, SSI starts a new chapter in their musical exploration. Ryan Cavanaugh has studied 5-string banjo since the age of 10. His lifelong dedication and exploration of music has taken him beyond bluegrass and into Jazz improvisation, Celtic, Indian and a variety of other styles. Matt Deibert has been playing drum set since age of 13, playing in a style focusing on musicality, feel, texture, and creation of a unique sound combining elements of rock, drum ‘n’ bass, jazz and world drumming. Chris Dougherty has been involved in world percussion for over 5 years. With experience on the congas, bongos, timbales and djembe, Dougherty is skilled in numerous hand percussion instruments and musical styles. Rob Nye, the band’s newest member, was playing in Lancaster Pennsylvania’s jazz, funk, and blues scenes before joining the band. Rob brings to the band deep pocket funk, low bottom end tone and a love for effects laden sonic explorations. Spacestation Integration plays non-traditional banjo oriented music combining elements of jazz, rock, bluegrass, funk, Celtic and Indian styles with a focus on improvisation and musicianship. Performing at festivals like the Brushy Mountain Jamboree in NC (01), Camp Buzz in Ohio (01) and, since the band’s move to North Carolina at Smilefest (03), as 2nd stage artists for Hank Williams Jr. and Phil Lesh concerts at the Alltel Pavilion, and sharing the stage with diverse artists such as the Acoustic Syndicate, Jazz mandolin Project, the Larry Keel Experience, the John Butler Trio, the Recipe, Brothers Past, Psychedelic Breakfast, Seth Yacavone Band, Hayseed-Dixie, Carlos Washington and the Amazing Giant People, and Schleigho, SSI continues to amaze a diverse audience, branching out into the progressive jazz, bluegrass and jamband scenes and are becoming on of the South’s most talked about new bands.

Group Members Ryan Cavanaugh-acoustic, electric banjos, synth banjo, Matt Deibert-drumset, Chris Dougherty- percussion, Rob Nye-basses.

Instruments Banjo, Bass, Drumset, Percussion

Albums Back from Earth (unreleased 1999)

Press Reviews 'Behold the future of jazz banjo'-David Crisler (jazz Banjo Network) ' For anyone interested in the cutting edge of jazz-fusion banjo, I'd certinly recommend Spacestation Integration'- Donald Nitche (Banjo Newsletter), 'Their music was like an auditory roller coaster ride, takes you up slowly and then cuts loose for a thrilling ride.'-Jambase.com This band is technically ferocious… Spacestation has a keen sense of flow. Even in the midst of their most frenetic jams, they are locked in together and aware of what everyone else is doing… Some of the originals freely morph from smooth melodic and jazzy, to punctuated riffs with lightning fast solos. In their quieter moments Spacestation has an almost Middle Eastern feel… Each new musician brings a different perspective to established styles and sounds. Forging ahead on a path first opened up by likeminded players such as Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck, Spacestation Integration is the next step in the evolution of the banjo. -Jambase.com.

Additional Info

Location Chapel Hill, NC - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).