Hellbender is a project that captures jazz in a rock format. The band is inspired by jazz records like Steve Grossman album Some Shapes to Come and Miles Davis On the Corner, but also dub reggae and funk music. The band is striving for the edge and intensity of Led Zeppelin and the bold saxophone playing of people like Steve Grossman and Dave Liebman. Musically we challenge the head-solo-head format that is so often used in jazz and rather make it more collective improvisation.
All of the members of the band are conservatory-trained musicians who grew up listening to classic rock. The musicians are:
Randy Wooten-Musical Director and drummer for Blue Man Group in Boston
Marc Friedman-bassist for bands such as the Slip, Natalie Merchant, and Ryan Montbleau
James Rohr-pianist for Boston’s band the Blue Ribbons
Andrew Stern-guitarist with Naftule’s Dream, Beat Circus, and Andrew Stern Trio
Jared Sims-saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, performs internationally, and is the Director of Jazz and Commercial Music at West Virginia University
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/hellbenderband/
https://www.instagram.com/hellbenderband/
https://open.spotify.com/album/68CpBYZWJe8rZfuhEgLuVC?si=0xNrL8EcSrSBkKRm3umQOg