Contemporary jazz; original, experimental and progressive instrumentals - varied styles, capturing rhythms and deep-setting hooks. Bass, drums, guitar and sax.

10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, JAZZ: World Fusion



Details:
In 2004 bassist Dave Watkinson and drummer Geoff Bakel met and started a Richmond, VA band called 51 Pegasus. After a little over a year, the band decided to call it quits, and, together with guitarist Matt Walton, a VCU jazz student, Watkinson and Bakel started jamming and working up new material with 17 yr. old saxophone sensation Matt Zavitz.
They called themselves The Former Champions just because they like the way it sounded. Deciding to perform original music that combined elements of what they preferred to listen to, they aimed also to maintain a sense of what keeps their listeners connected to what they were playing. They very much enjoy playing and creating songs and new sounds together as a group.
Courthouse Records first heard them at a gig at Ashland Coffee and Tea in Ashland, VA, at the invitation of one of the venue's owners, and immediately became interested in their sound. After meeting several times the band and the label decided a CD was in order. Now With Atomic Energy! was recorded live in one day at Lance Koehler's Minimum Wage Recording in Richmond's Oregon Hill area. Donald Crawford added piano to all but one track.
Bill McElroy, Soundsmith, at Slipped Disc in Ashland, VA mastered the project. Brooklyn, NY artist, Kristiana Parn, did the design and artwork.
JC Kuhl, Modern Groove Syndicate saxophonist says, "Now With Atomic Energy! is a very good debut album for this up and coming band. Their diversity in styles and rhythms coupled with some catchy hooks really kept me interested as a listenerâ¦"
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