Cocktail Revolution

February 2007 - Vol 7 Issue 1

Westword [Magazine] dubbed Cocktail Revolution Denver's best jazz band in 2006, and while D-town may not be the jazz hub like St. Louis, New York or even Boston, it's still a decent accolade. More importantly, it's well deserved. The quartet features saxophonist Jon Hegel and drummer Zach Pietlock (both of Judge Roughneck), bassist Artie Moore (Ron Miles, Joe Bonner), and keyboardist Chad Aman [Harmonious Junk, Byron Shaw Projex], deep in the throes of what they call urban improv. Blending a heavy back beat and hip-hop swagger with straight-ahead horn lines and ridiculously impressive musicianship, they are as good as any quartet in the country.
- The Scene

June 10-16, 2004

Cocktail Revolution was named one of only 20 critic's picks (out of over 400 bands) for the North by Northeast Music Festival. - Now Magazine - Toronto, Canada

"Cocktail Revolution" - Cocktail Revolution Self-produced

There is an underground movement that not many know about -- the Urban Renaissance, in which musicians and artists have come together and developed an electronic culture. From the late '90s to early 2000 (and still hanging on), DJs and raves were the big underground thing, so it is only natural that musicians and artists take electronica and develop it. The same way way in which jazz eventually spawned hip-hop, electronica is moving in its own organic direction. There are now live performances that, formerly, one could only hear DJs spin in clubs.

Only a handful of musicians play electronica. Denver is fortunate to have a few. Cocktail Revolution has broken onto the local scene as a regular at many swanky hip martini bars and jazz clubs, such as Blue 67 and Dazzle. Cocktail Revolution is made up of members of the New Majestics and the infamous ska band, Judge Roughneck.

Drum and bass fans, jazz fans and grooveheads will love every minute of their self titled EP, available on their website and at their live shows. "Nuttnbuttajam" gives us a straightforward booty-spankin' funk-hop groove. The arrangements are very much in the jazz realm but the groove pounds like subwoofers of a street racer's Honda Civic. "Trance Hall" is a jazzy dance tune that shows a very different side of the group, demonstrating their diverse musical tastes while keeping the electronica feel. Jon Hegel's alto sax moves around the percussive raga organ style of Chad Aman's keyboard in perfect harmony, and a strong interlude of the "Mission Impossible" theme song jammed over drum and bass. "Eye" is straight-ahead breakbeat. It is more on a martini sippin' vibe than aggressive jungle but with the ambient chords and smooth transitions the song stays interesting.

Hardcore drum and bass fans will like the chaotic drumming of Zach Pietlock on "Mistercool". His beat is so tight that one might be inclined to think the drums are computer operated. The only downside to this song is its length -- too short. "Swamp Thang" is more of a funk tune, another reminder that Cocktail Revolution is simply trying to be itself, not fall neatly into one category.

Cocktail Revolution is heard regularly at Blue 67 (blue67.com) every Tuesday in Denver and a must-see upcoming show is their appearance at Dulcinea's 100th Monkey in Denver on april 3rd. For more info go to www.cocktailrevolution.net.
- CD Review

...Cocktail Revolution can be viewed as one of the first from Denver thought of as a Jam Band with very strong Jazz roots and improvisation as their foundation. Think along the lines of Medeski Martin and Wood or Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

Hard core Jazz-heads should not stay away, as most are very impressed with not only the outstanding musicianship and improvisational skills of every member, but also the new direction in which the band is taking Jazz.
Cocktail Revolution is Denver’s best kept secret...
- Jam Scene

...but those boys sure could play. The Cocktail
Revolution's urban jazz fusion miasma was riveting.
The foursome complemented each other brilliantly. - David Flomberg