Artist description One of the most dynamic acts on the road today, ekoostik hookah is the nucleus of a growing family drawn to its lucid, improvisational treatment of psychedelic rock 'n roll, blues, funk, jazz and bluegrass layered with rich harmonies. The band has been continually evolving, cultivating a sound that has perked the ears of contemporaries and attracted thousands of fans who routinely travel hundreds of miles to hear them play. The quintet typically travels four nights a week, playing in more than 30 states at venues including New York’s Wetlands Preserve, Chicago’s House of Blues, Cleveland’s Nautica Stage, Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse, Boulder’s Fox Theater and San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. In 1997 hookah was invited to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ekoostik hookah played its first international shows in June 1999 in Negril, Jamaica with hundreds of fans attending from the United States.Though intense live energy fuels this band, hookah fans have snatched up more than 85,000 copies of its six releases: Under Full Sail (1991), Dubbahbuddah (1994), an untitled, two-disc live set (1996), Where the Fields Grow Green (1998), Hookahville Spring ’98 (1998) and Sharp in the Flats (1999).

Music Style Improvisational Rock with elements of Blues, Funk, Jazz, Bluegrass, and Avant Garde

Musical Influences Everything good, nothing bad

Similar Artists Bands that constantly evolve, with rich harmonies, tight orchestrations, and intense live improvisation and performance

Artist History The Ohio-based band began jamming during weekly open-mic nights when vocalist/keyboardist Dave Katz, lead guitarist Steve Sweney and bassist Cliff Starbuck had full-time gigs with popular bands. The ensemble quickly found a following and began this odyssey when a stranger who heard them at a party bankrolled a trip to the studio to record Under Full Sail. By the end of recording, band members had committed themselves full-time to ekoostik hookah. Drummer Eric Lanese, who joined in 1993, and Ed McGee, who assumed singing, songwriting and rhythm guitar duties in 1996, round out the band’s line-up. Hookahville, the band’s home-thrown festival which features two nights of music and camping in Ohio’s quiet green hills, has been called by fans the best music festival in the Midwest. The biannual happening began in 1994 as a camp-out in Dave Katz and band manager Jeff Spencer’s backyard. Growing steadily, it has since been held at different venues on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The attendance for Hookahville Spring & Fall '99 exceeded 20,000. Hookahville allows the band to create its ideal “no hassles or bad attitudes” playing environment and share it with many fine live acts. In the past, Ratdog, Jazz Mandolin Project, Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band, Zero, The David Nelson Band and Leftover Salmon, among others, have played the Hookahville stage. Since its birth ekoostik hookah has independently handled every aspect of its growth.

Group Members Dave Katz-piano, acoustic guitar, vocalsSteve Sweney-lead guitar, vocalsCliff Starbuck-bass, vocalsEd McGee-rhythm guitar, vocalsEric Lanese-drums, vocals

Instruments Drums, Bass, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, & Vocals

Albums Under Full Sail (1991-1 CD), Dubbahbuddah (1994-1 CD), an untitled, two-disc live set (1996-2 CD), Where the Fields Grow Green (1998-1 CD), Hookahville Spring ’98 (1998-3 CD) and Sharp in the Flats (1999-2 CD).

Press Reviews ekoostik hookah’s songs offer a tight synchronicity bespeaking the solid musical prowess so often missing in the rash of self-described “jam” bands that seem to spring up almost daily. The sound is fluid and jazzy, but it rocks with cascading, virtuoso keyboards and powerhouse guitar work.Mountain Xpress, Ashville, NCHigh Times is officially declaring Hookahville the coolest place on the planet.Steve Hager, editor, High Times at Hookahville X…unscripted, unchoreographed, unrehearsed spectacular display of noncorporate rock.Everybody’s News, Cincinnati, OHIts sound is polished – the product of endless hours on stage and in the van. And it comes from a melting pot of influences as diverse as the nationalities were on Ellis Island.Daily News, Breckenridge, COekoostik hookah is not only one of the most prolific jam bands, but one of the best. Relix MagazineOhio-based ekoostik hookah is another band that deserves to break through on a larger scale…The fifteen cuts (on Sharp In the Flats) skirt the border between harmony-filled rock, psychedelia and sparkling jamming. The songs are all outstanding…ekoostik hookah took the stage displaying another powerful rush of musicianship and sensational improvisational ability.Relix MagazineHookah in some ways have a somewhat more Southern and almost lightly Latin influenced sound - it’s like they lean a little more toward the Allmans while giving a very subtle nod to Santana, and still use the extended jam format to deliver their material. It’s much harder to describe than it is to enjoy. Scene Magazine, Cleveland, OH

Additional Info You must see ekoostik hookah live to understand what they are about.

Location Columbus, OH - USA

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