Saxophonist Karl Denson’s take on jazz and fusion is hard and balls-out. Whether blowing on the Minimalist, metallic funk/core of New Ammo, the buttoned-down hard bop of Blackened Red Snapper and Baby Food or the dripping space groove of Lunar Orbit, Denson’s music is always forward and aggressive, with a mind toward your face. Denson came to fame as one the lead voices in Lenny Kravitz’s band when Kravitz was at his peak. He has seldom returned to that soul/rock style, but his tight, attack-mode playing and composing have remained his calling card.
It should be fascinating to see what Denson and his cast of über-cats called Tiny Universe do with their cover-to-cover performance of Prince’s classic third record, 1980’s Dirty Mind, at the Bearsville Theater. In theory, Denson’s lean, muscular and forward approach to groove is a perfect fit for an unusual and insular pop record that went on to turn groove music on its head.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe performs Prince’s Dirty Mind on Friday, October 30 at 9 p.m. at the Bearsville Theater. Tickets cost $30 and may be purchased at www.bearsvilletheater.com. The Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock.
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