Artist description Hip hop and jazz make friends.

Music Style Acid Jazz

Musical Influences Mr. Bean, Emmitt Otter's Jug Band

Similar Artists Spaceman Spiff, Backfat, Charlie Hunter

Artist History Formed in San Diego in late 1999, Spaceman Spiff combines articulate jazz melodies with original hip-hop grooves. Their sound has been likened to Jamiroquai, the Brand New Heavies, Prince, and Stevie Wonder. Boasting a repertoire made up of 95% original music, the band performs harmonized vocal lines and mixes it up with funky instrumentals.It was this originality that caused producer Guy Eckstine (Herbie Hancock, Vanessa Williams) to take an interest in the band and send them into a Los Angeles studio. He brought in veteran Jeff Lorber to record and mix the project. Shortly after, they emerged with the 5-song "Love EP," which was immediately embraced by radio stations both locally and nationally. Spaceman Spiff has received spins on local radio 91X and 92.1 as well as Jazz 88.3, proving their ability to cross over musical genres with ease. They have also made repeated TV appearances on San Diego's KUSI and Fox News.The members:Ivan Garzon - Bass, Vocals. Ivan recently graduated from the prestigious California Institute for the Arts, studying bass guitar. An original member of band Backfat, he has since then opened for artists such as Bunny Wailer, De La Soul, and Arturo Sandoval. His hip-shaking has become the talk of club-going women in recent years.Clay Elliot - Saxes, Flute, Vocals. Also an original member of Backfat, Clay received his degree in jazz performance from San Diego State University. Performing all across the US, he spent 2 years with ska band Unsteady, while doing various recording sessions in the LA area.Tommy Collins - Guitar. In addition to a Music Education degree, Tommy has completed Masters classes with Kenny Burrell, Steve Kahn, and Jim Hall. Performing with local band Busride, he is well-known in the San Diego music scene.Mikey Cannon - Drums. A master of straight-ahead jazz as well as hip-hop, Chef Cannon can always be found after-hours at the local jazz sessions downtown. In between teaching drum classes to high school students, Mikey writes big band charts, complete with 5-part harmonies. Never underestimate the energy of youth.Spiff performs regularly at the Onyx Room in downtown San Diego, as well as the Temple Bar in Los Angeles.

Group Members Clay Elliot, Ivan Garzon, Mikey Cannon, Tom Collins

Albums The Love EP

Location San Diego, CA - USA

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