Soule Monde, funk duo from Trey Anastasio Band, plays free Scranton show on June 13
From a press release:
Soule Monde, the instrumental funk side project of Trey Anastasio Band members Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski, will be playing a free show at the Backyard Ale House in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 13 at 9 p.m.
Soule Monde is avant funk erupting from the syncopated minds of power drummer Russ Lawton and B3 wizard Ray Paczkowski. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is cemented into an indestructible pocket, where bold improvisational leaps by either player are met by a near-telepathic response from the other. This is fluid funk, crafted for the dance floor but supported by an extensive grasp of jazz improvisation.
Paczkowski has an intrepid knowledge of the Hammond B3, playing it as fearlessly as Han Solo flies the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field, while his left hand lays down bass lines on the clavinet with the ferocity of the meanest four-string soul cat.
Lawton is constantly responding to his partner’s attacks, pushing the groove further and deeper while holding the pocket like he’s handcuffed to the snare. Don’t expect the beat to drop with Soule Monde and, at the same time, don’t expect to get stuck in one groove. Quite simply, this is the jazz duo your parents warned you about.
Russ Lawton has been a staple of the Vermont music scene for years. He’s collaborated with a vast array of Vermont acts, including Mike Gordon, The Grippo Funk Band, and Strangefolk, and has been touring and recording with the Trey Anastasio (also known as the frontman of Phish) since 1998. He’s credited with co-writing the Grammy-nominated song “First Tube,” which appeared on Phish’s 2000 album “Farmhouse.”
Ray Paczkowski has been involved with a number of lauded acts over the years, first gaining recognition in the mid ’90s as a member of the legendary Vermont act Viperhouse, and later on with his power trio, Vorcza. He toured and recorded with Dave Matthews & Friends for three years and has been the keyboardist for the Trey Anastasio Band since 2001.
Members of Soule Monde have appeared at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, on “Saturday Night Live,” “David Letterman,” “Jay Leno,” “Conan O’Brien,” and “Jimmy Fallon” and have shared the stage with Carlos Santana, the Rolling Stones, Trey Anastasio, Dave Matthews, Victor Wooten, Mike Gordon, Viperhouse, and Strangefolk.
For more information on the Backyard Ale House (523 Linden St., Scranton) show, see the Facebook event page.
