Artist description The Wayward Monks is a groundbreaking band that mixes instrumental jazz and progressive rock in cerebral, yet accessible ways. The compositions are rhythmically varied and distinctively melodic. They range from straight-ahead rock (Jubilation and Night Crawlers) to funk (Chatterbox), driving fusion (Fire Dance and Polly Unsaturated ), reggae (Rasta Pasta), jazz (Last Call and Hopalong Hannah) and new age-acoustic (Solitude, Tread Lightly, and Pastural). The jams keep listeners attentive with their changing dynamics and instrumental virtuosity. When The Wayward Monks jams, the band creates a driving cauldron of sound that weaves a dynamic, exciting aural landscape.

Music Style Jam rock and jazz; polyrhythmic but melodic; each song is different

Musical Influences Phish, Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck

Artist History The Wayward Monks came together in the late Fall of 2001. Jeremy and Dan played together ten years ago in the Reckless Pedestrians, a popular rock band who played regularly at Berkeley's Starry Plough and backed Chris Isaak, among others. More recently Jeremy drummed in the popular JDogs, which mixed jazz grooves and hiphop. Dan has composed close to 100 songs and has been the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for a number of Bay Area Bands, starting with the early-80's punk/new wave outfit British Wire Gauge with a song "Pray TV" that was heavily played and promoted on radio station KFJC. 15 of Dan's songs are posted on mp3.com. Mike played bass in last year's popular Bay Area jam band Shady Lady. Jason and Tok have played together on and off for many years. Recently, Tok was the lead vocalist and main songwriter for Mighty Bushmen and Blunt Truth, playing gigs with Counting Crows, 4 Non Blondes, Fabulous Hedgehogs, Jackson Saints, and other Bay Area luminaries. Jason has performed in New England, New Orleans, and California in jazz, rock, and performance art groups.

Group Members Dan Zalles: Guitars and Trumpet Jason Ravitz: Keyboards Mike Disch: bass Jeremy DeGroot: drums Tok Thompson: percussion

Location Palo Alto, CA - USA

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