Sam Kininger Band
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Sam Kininger Band

Boston, Massachusetts, United States | MAJOR

Boston, Massachusetts, United States | MAJOR
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"Sam Kininger's Royal Anthem"

Sam Kininger is a familiar face in both the jam and jazz/funk worlds, thanks to his work with Soulive, Lettuce and his seminal Boston group The Squad. Since enrolling at the Berklee College of Music in the 1990s, he’s played with everyone from Black Thought and Talib Kweli to members of P-Funk and James Brown’s JB’s to Dave Matthews Band and Perry Farrell (at the Jammys). More recently, he’s also stepped out with his own band for a mix of headlining shows and festival dares, as well as released the new studio album Anthem. If that’s not enough, he plans to hit the road with Soulive this summer, tour Japan behind Lettuce’s new studio album and make his maiden voyage on Jam Cruise this January. Below, Kininger discusses his new studio album, Lettuce’s return to form and the link between Eric Krasno and Kayne West.

MG- You are involved in a number of different projects now, including both Soulive and Lettuce. But, can you start by telling us a bit about your own Sam Kininger Band?

Well, it started in Boston. I was playing in a band called The Squad, actually. It kind of formed at Wally’s Café. It started to come together with me and my bass player Aaron Bellamy, who actually played guitar at first. That was definitely the stem of the group, the Wally’s band. So we just started playing. I met [keyboardist Amy Bowles] at a house party and met [drummer Nikki Glaspie] from Wally’s. So Aaron, Amy and Nikki are the group’s core members, but it is an ever-changing band. We kind of have a rotating situation, but have been playing together for about five years. Well, it started in 2003. That is when it came into fruition and we started playing bands as the Sam Kininger Band. We had a good run with Soulive last year as well…those were some memorable shows.

MG- You also recently released the SKB album Anthem in Japan, right?

It was recorded in January of 2007, so it has been over a year now. We drove from Boston in a snow storm to record that thing [laughter]. One track is called “10 Hours Late” because we were actually 10 hours late for the recording session. We recorded in three days, but there was a lot of post-production. I actually did a lot of the saxophones and horns and production of the sounds after the record was recorded. That’s why it took over a year to come out. It’s came out on the BMG-Japan label and its out in Japan now, doing pretty well.

MG- Do you hope to release the album stateside soon?

That’s the plan…we are going to see how it goes and try for some distribution in the United States.

MG- What skills from your time as a sideman have you been able to apply to your role as a band leader?

It’s interesting. I kind of have the same position in all the bands I play in. Even in my band, which I front, it’s not like Sam Kininger in front with his band. It is one unit and I am definitely a sideman in my own group. It is interesting…we definitely all have equal parts. If one person was missing it wouldn’t be the same. So what I learned is how to play in a group situation and not play as an individual playing my own things with a bunch of different guys. In order to be in my situation, in my band, you need to know how to listen to a bunch of different guys and play off of each others. I’m actually on my way to a Soulive gig right now and it is the same thing with them. Once we are all together we all play as a unit.

MG- Your other main project right now is Lettuce. In fact, you guys recently released a great new album, Rage!. I know you joined the group a bit later that some of the guys, but have been playing with the band for well over a decade [laughter].

They formed while at the Berklee high school program. I came onboard a little bit after that, but it has still been about fifteen years, I guess. We definitely played at Wally’s on Sunday nights. It has just been on and off for fifteen years. I was at Berklee and met Adam Deitch and Adam Smirnoff. This was in this 1993 or 1994. At the time, Ryan Zoidis was the only saxophone player in Lettuce and he has since done his Rustic Overtones thing. I kind of blended in and have been there ever since.

MG- Neal Evans has been playing with Lettuce recently. What happened to the group’s original keyboardist? I heard he’s playing arenas now, no?

Originally there was a guy named Mike Butler but Jeff Bhasker was the main Lettuce keyboardist. He went to L.A. and now is playing with Kanye West. He also played with me in The Squad with a drummer named Charles Haynes, who is also out with Kanye now. At the time there was a lot going on in Boston between that whole crew. So Neal is fulltime with the group now.

MG- Can you walk us through the recording of Rage!?

We started working on it around last January 2007. We went out and just got together for three or four days of recording. The Meters tribute song “Speak E.Z.,” that came about in rehearsals the night before the recording sessions, actually. So in total we had abou - Jambands.com


"Kininger Finds Success In Real World Of Music"

Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:37 AM
By CASSAUNDRA BABER
Observer-Dispatch

UTICA — There’s no way around it, Sam Kininger is funky – James Brown “I Feel Good” kinda funky.

The sounds he blows from his saxophone will attack your soul, make your body move without reservation and have you begging for more of that funk, that jazz, that good stuff.

It might seem like Kininger, 33, was born with a saxophone in his mouth and soul in his fingertips, but it all started in the fourth grade in Oriskany Elementary School’s music program.

“I was mostly playing classical stuff and was also involved in the choral program,” Kininger said by phone from St. John, taking a break from an 11-day tour of the islands. “I had a really strong background in classical music.”

It wasn’t until Kininger began taking private lessons from Frank Galime that he began exploring other genres of music. Jazz, soul, funk, rock – it all sparked a passion in Kininger’s musical growth.

Until adolescence, that is.

“As a kid in high school it wasn’t that fun,” he said of sustaining his music.

But, music, nonetheless, became a full-time venture for Kininger.

“My mother made it mandatory,” he said. “My mother wouldn’t let me do anything else until I had put my practice time in.”

The real world of music
Mom’s encouragement paid off.

After high school, Kininger spent three and a half years at Berklee College of Music, where, he says, music really began to shape his life.

“It wasn’t something I really took nonchalantly,” he said. “Music is definitely what I’d always wanted to do since I was young. College really opened me up to the real world of music.”

With his funk band, Kininger has performed at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, The North Beach Jazz Festival and Berkfest, as well as well-known New York City clubs The Blue Note and The Mercury Lounge. He currently is recording his sophomore album, but also records and performs with internationally known groups Soulive and Lettuce.

Hometown soul
Kininger will bring his rhythmic improvisations and deep soul grooves home at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, to The Electric Company, 700 Varick St.

His time home will be short – one night – but seeing the familiar faces in the crowd always creates an intimate, sometimes unexpected, experience.

“Every time I’m home it’s different, different faces,” he said. “Sometimes I see high school teachers and sometimes I see my brothers’ friends, who I can’t really believe are old enough to drink. It’s kind of weird.”

But, in the end, it’s home, and “I love Utica,” he said.

Visit www.samkiningerband.com or www.myspace.com/samkiningerband to hear Kininger’s music.

- Utica Observer-Dispatch


"Kininger Finds Success In Real World Of Music"

Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:37 AM
By CASSAUNDRA BABER
Observer-Dispatch

UTICA — There’s no way around it, Sam Kininger is funky – James Brown “I Feel Good” kinda funky.

The sounds he blows from his saxophone will attack your soul, make your body move without reservation and have you begging for more of that funk, that jazz, that good stuff.

It might seem like Kininger, 33, was born with a saxophone in his mouth and soul in his fingertips, but it all started in the fourth grade in Oriskany Elementary School’s music program.

“I was mostly playing classical stuff and was also involved in the choral program,” Kininger said by phone from St. John, taking a break from an 11-day tour of the islands. “I had a really strong background in classical music.”

It wasn’t until Kininger began taking private lessons from Frank Galime that he began exploring other genres of music. Jazz, soul, funk, rock – it all sparked a passion in Kininger’s musical growth.

Until adolescence, that is.

“As a kid in high school it wasn’t that fun,” he said of sustaining his music.

But, music, nonetheless, became a full-time venture for Kininger.

“My mother made it mandatory,” he said. “My mother wouldn’t let me do anything else until I had put my practice time in.”

The real world of music
Mom’s encouragement paid off.

After high school, Kininger spent three and a half years at Berklee College of Music, where, he says, music really began to shape his life.

“It wasn’t something I really took nonchalantly,” he said. “Music is definitely what I’d always wanted to do since I was young. College really opened me up to the real world of music.”

With his funk band, Kininger has performed at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, The North Beach Jazz Festival and Berkfest, as well as well-known New York City clubs The Blue Note and The Mercury Lounge. He currently is recording his sophomore album, but also records and performs with internationally known groups Soulive and Lettuce.

Hometown soul
Kininger will bring his rhythmic improvisations and deep soul grooves home at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, to The Electric Company, 700 Varick St.

His time home will be short – one night – but seeing the familiar faces in the crowd always creates an intimate, sometimes unexpected, experience.

“Every time I’m home it’s different, different faces,” he said. “Sometimes I see high school teachers and sometimes I see my brothers’ friends, who I can’t really believe are old enough to drink. It’s kind of weird.”

But, in the end, it’s home, and “I love Utica,” he said.

Visit www.samkiningerband.com or www.myspace.com/samkiningerband to hear Kininger’s music.

- Utica Observer-Dispatch


"Sam Kininger Album Review"

Sam Kininger
Sam Kininger | Tonic

By Phil DiPietro

Another homegrown winner. For a while, Boston's The Squad and Soulive were engaged in a pleasurable funk war in which there were no losers, only winners ' especially among hometown audiences. Thing was, Sam Kininger played alto for both sides, eventually becoming an “official” member of Soulive and playing an important part in Turn it Out, Doin' Somethin', and Next. Also a member of the Boston collective Lettuce , Kininger is many hundreds of gigs into his evolution, ranging from stadiums to clubs to the still-happening impromptu jam/cutting session at Boston's venerable institution, Wally's. He's pulled together members from these units to contribute to this debut, including the entirety of Soulive, The Squad's Charles Haynes on drums (also of Kenny Garrett's band) and Adam Smirnoff on guitar, plus Lettuce.s Adam Deitch (also of Scofield's band) on drums and Ryan Zoidis on tenor.

The cast also includes one of the music's true secrets, James Hurt , an under-recorded, under-heralded keyboardist who's released his own record on Blue Note and has played a crucial role in Russell Gunn's recordings. James especially puts the hurt on “Don't Say Nothin,” a mid-tempo groove with a fat pocket filled by the scratching talents of guitarist Jeff Lockhart and Boston's resident dazzling turntablist MisterRourke. Kininger's breathy Maupin-meets-Criss-like solo over the vamp keeps the embers red hot without shooting up any flares, bassist Chris Loftlin interjecting a double-stopped pattern. Hurt teases with a Rhodes break in broken time, then organ stabs, before his rhythmically spectacular solo, continually compressing more and more phrases and phraseology into the gaps in the groove.

The ten-minute, yet still concise-feeling “Late Night” has Hurt playing clavinet at a level that harkens back to Herbie Hancock's glory days, supporting and combining with the unison melody served up by Kininger and guitarist Jeff Lockhart. The leader tracks himself to create a neo-soul dual alto pad to create another melody contour, before turning in his finest solo of the set. Alternating between concise statements and longer lines, he seizes occasion to fire off his most angular, bop-related phraseology, all while conveying the groove. Hurt knocks it out of the park with a virtuoso Rhodes statement which thrills not only in its chops-laced moments, but also when he pauses to elongate chords over the bar line, only somehow throttling back, then overdriving into a 32nd note flurry that locks with Nikki Glaspie's unwavering snare and bass drum.

Hurt is only part of a cast deserving much wider recognition, including the duo of Marco Benevento on B-3 and Joe Russo on drums, who help Kininger turn in a new vintage of a Cannonball to Maceo-led organ trio on “Big Whopper.”

With this release, Sam becomes Boston's MVFP. The F is for funk, and Boston's congenial badass saxophonist knows all its colors and textures, from its origins to-what one listen to this debut will prove-its future.




Track Listing: 1. NY-NO. 1, 2. Where I'm Coming From, 3. 32-84-31 St., 4. Pieces, 5.Late Night, 6. Most Beautiful, 7. No War for Oil, 8. Big Whopper, 9. Don't Say Nothin', 10. My Dogg, 11. Evolved

Personnel: Eric Krasno-guitar (1,4), Adam Deitch-drums (1,7), Neal Evans-keyboards (1), Ryan Zoidis-tenor sax (1,7), Jeff Lockhart-guitar(2,3,4,5,9,11), Adam Smirnoff-guitar(2,7), Davy Nate-keyboards(2,6), Chris Loftlin-bass (2-6, 9,11), Charles Haynes -drums(2,3,4,6,9), Atticus Cole-percussion (3,4,6,9,11), James Hurt-keyboards (3,4,5,7,9,10), Fred Wesley-trombone (3,4,9), Tyrone Chase-guitar (4), Nikki Glaspie-drums (5, 11),Chris Parks-guitar (6), Double Z-bass (7), Marco Benevento-keyboards (8), Joe Russo-drums (8), MisterRourke-turntables (9), MPC-rhythm track (10)

- All About Jazz


"Sam Kininger Album Review"

Sam Kininger
Sam Kininger | Tonic

By Phil DiPietro

Another homegrown winner. For a while, Boston's The Squad and Soulive were engaged in a pleasurable funk war in which there were no losers, only winners ' especially among hometown audiences. Thing was, Sam Kininger played alto for both sides, eventually becoming an “official” member of Soulive and playing an important part in Turn it Out, Doin' Somethin', and Next. Also a member of the Boston collective Lettuce , Kininger is many hundreds of gigs into his evolution, ranging from stadiums to clubs to the still-happening impromptu jam/cutting session at Boston's venerable institution, Wally's. He's pulled together members from these units to contribute to this debut, including the entirety of Soulive, The Squad's Charles Haynes on drums (also of Kenny Garrett's band) and Adam Smirnoff on guitar, plus Lettuce.s Adam Deitch (also of Scofield's band) on drums and Ryan Zoidis on tenor.

The cast also includes one of the music's true secrets, James Hurt , an under-recorded, under-heralded keyboardist who's released his own record on Blue Note and has played a crucial role in Russell Gunn's recordings. James especially puts the hurt on “Don't Say Nothin,” a mid-tempo groove with a fat pocket filled by the scratching talents of guitarist Jeff Lockhart and Boston's resident dazzling turntablist MisterRourke. Kininger's breathy Maupin-meets-Criss-like solo over the vamp keeps the embers red hot without shooting up any flares, bassist Chris Loftlin interjecting a double-stopped pattern. Hurt teases with a Rhodes break in broken time, then organ stabs, before his rhythmically spectacular solo, continually compressing more and more phrases and phraseology into the gaps in the groove.

The ten-minute, yet still concise-feeling “Late Night” has Hurt playing clavinet at a level that harkens back to Herbie Hancock's glory days, supporting and combining with the unison melody served up by Kininger and guitarist Jeff Lockhart. The leader tracks himself to create a neo-soul dual alto pad to create another melody contour, before turning in his finest solo of the set. Alternating between concise statements and longer lines, he seizes occasion to fire off his most angular, bop-related phraseology, all while conveying the groove. Hurt knocks it out of the park with a virtuoso Rhodes statement which thrills not only in its chops-laced moments, but also when he pauses to elongate chords over the bar line, only somehow throttling back, then overdriving into a 32nd note flurry that locks with Nikki Glaspie's unwavering snare and bass drum.

Hurt is only part of a cast deserving much wider recognition, including the duo of Marco Benevento on B-3 and Joe Russo on drums, who help Kininger turn in a new vintage of a Cannonball to Maceo-led organ trio on “Big Whopper.”

With this release, Sam becomes Boston's MVFP. The F is for funk, and Boston's congenial badass saxophonist knows all its colors and textures, from its origins to-what one listen to this debut will prove-its future.




Track Listing: 1. NY-NO. 1, 2. Where I'm Coming From, 3. 32-84-31 St., 4. Pieces, 5.Late Night, 6. Most Beautiful, 7. No War for Oil, 8. Big Whopper, 9. Don't Say Nothin', 10. My Dogg, 11. Evolved

Personnel: Eric Krasno-guitar (1,4), Adam Deitch-drums (1,7), Neal Evans-keyboards (1), Ryan Zoidis-tenor sax (1,7), Jeff Lockhart-guitar(2,3,4,5,9,11), Adam Smirnoff-guitar(2,7), Davy Nate-keyboards(2,6), Chris Loftlin-bass (2-6, 9,11), Charles Haynes -drums(2,3,4,6,9), Atticus Cole-percussion (3,4,6,9,11), James Hurt-keyboards (3,4,5,7,9,10), Fred Wesley-trombone (3,4,9), Tyrone Chase-guitar (4), Nikki Glaspie-drums (5, 11),Chris Parks-guitar (6), Double Z-bass (7), Marco Benevento-keyboards (8), Joe Russo-drums (8), MisterRourke-turntables (9), MPC-rhythm track (10)

- All About Jazz


"Kininger At Mezzanotte (Show Review)"

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2006

Sam Kininger, Mezzanotte Lounge, Oct. 6

No wonder the first musical influence on alto player Sam Kininger's Myspace page is Maceo Parker. Kininger, a former member of Soulive, opened his Friday night concert with two Parker staples, "Shake Everything You Got" and "Pass the Peas." On these opening numbers, Kininger sounded like the former James Brown horn player, only with a brighter tone. During the solo sections of these two songs, Kininger used repetition, deliberate, clipped articulations and short musical ideas over a tight rhythm section. He would camp on three note ideas (one notable sequence contained me,mi,so, played a la "Elephant Stepped on My Foot") or create rhythmic phrases from one note.

As the concert went on, however, Kininger stated to sound less and less like Parker. On Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon," he expanded his phrasing and started using the entire range of his horn for sixteenth note runs. Kininger usually stays in the middle of the saxophone (except for fast runs), but he ventured into altimssimo territory for a few climactic endings to solos.

Kininger's was backed by a first-rate funk machine. Keyboard player Amy Bowles had a wonderful control of her instrument. Bassist Aaron Belamy journeyed from blistering jazz technique to funky slap bass in the same solo. Nikki Glaspie kept a tight funk feel for the entire concert and turned in an extended solo toward the end of the night. On every tune, the band provided an unrelenting funk groove, but also knew how to change things around. One piece called for a techno feel, and that's exactly what they played. Bowles provided floating, stagnant chords over Glaspie's high hat upbeats. Each member was an equal with Kininger when it came to solos, and the group's ensemble playing was nice and balanced.

One of the highlights of the night came due to technical difficulties. While Bowles was busy changing out her keyboard and amp, Kininger took a break with some Dead Dog ale. When he decided the change was taking too long, he went up to the microphone and blew into the bottle. The note produced became the upper tonic for the song, and he was soon humming/blowing/humming/blowing producing a do (do')/ so (do') eighth note pattern. First the drums picked up on this, providing a backbeat, and then the rest of the band came in. Later on in the tune, Kininger took a drink and tried his trick again. The bottle's pitch had gone down a step.

Mezzanotte provided an intimate setting for the concert. Attendance, probably close to 60, filled up the performance half of the bar, but the place didn't seem packed. The stage was a short two steps off the floor, so the band members were literally right next to the audience members in the front row.

Kininger's next show is tonight in Utica, and the Mezzanotte brings The Dirty Dozen Brass Band to Syracuse on Monday.
Labels: Jazz
POSTED BY JON ROSS AT 11:36 AM

- The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)


"Kininger At Mezzanotte (Show Review)"

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2006

Sam Kininger, Mezzanotte Lounge, Oct. 6

No wonder the first musical influence on alto player Sam Kininger's Myspace page is Maceo Parker. Kininger, a former member of Soulive, opened his Friday night concert with two Parker staples, "Shake Everything You Got" and "Pass the Peas." On these opening numbers, Kininger sounded like the former James Brown horn player, only with a brighter tone. During the solo sections of these two songs, Kininger used repetition, deliberate, clipped articulations and short musical ideas over a tight rhythm section. He would camp on three note ideas (one notable sequence contained me,mi,so, played a la "Elephant Stepped on My Foot") or create rhythmic phrases from one note.

As the concert went on, however, Kininger stated to sound less and less like Parker. On Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon," he expanded his phrasing and started using the entire range of his horn for sixteenth note runs. Kininger usually stays in the middle of the saxophone (except for fast runs), but he ventured into altimssimo territory for a few climactic endings to solos.

Kininger's was backed by a first-rate funk machine. Keyboard player Amy Bowles had a wonderful control of her instrument. Bassist Aaron Belamy journeyed from blistering jazz technique to funky slap bass in the same solo. Nikki Glaspie kept a tight funk feel for the entire concert and turned in an extended solo toward the end of the night. On every tune, the band provided an unrelenting funk groove, but also knew how to change things around. One piece called for a techno feel, and that's exactly what they played. Bowles provided floating, stagnant chords over Glaspie's high hat upbeats. Each member was an equal with Kininger when it came to solos, and the group's ensemble playing was nice and balanced.

One of the highlights of the night came due to technical difficulties. While Bowles was busy changing out her keyboard and amp, Kininger took a break with some Dead Dog ale. When he decided the change was taking too long, he went up to the microphone and blew into the bottle. The note produced became the upper tonic for the song, and he was soon humming/blowing/humming/blowing producing a do (do')/ so (do') eighth note pattern. First the drums picked up on this, providing a backbeat, and then the rest of the band came in. Later on in the tune, Kininger took a drink and tried his trick again. The bottle's pitch had gone down a step.

Mezzanotte provided an intimate setting for the concert. Attendance, probably close to 60, filled up the performance half of the bar, but the place didn't seem packed. The stage was a short two steps off the floor, so the band members were literally right next to the audience members in the front row.

Kininger's next show is tonight in Utica, and the Mezzanotte brings The Dirty Dozen Brass Band to Syracuse on Monday.
Labels: Jazz
POSTED BY JON ROSS AT 11:36 AM

- The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)


"Saxman Kininger Gets Down and Dirty"

Bucks County Courier Times (Levittown, PA){PUBLICATION2}


July 3, 2007
Section: LIFE LOCAL
Edition: CTI EDITION1
Page: E3

Sam Kininger


Saxman Kininger gets down and dirty



BY ED CONDRAN

COURIER TIMES

Sam Kininger doesn't just feel the soul emanating from within. The funky ace saxophonist, who has made a name for himself in such bands as Soulive and The Brotherhood of Groove, believes the musical landscape is changing.

"I see more bands that are into soul and funk than there has been in years," Kininger said while calling from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. "I think it was just a matter of time after the indie rock phase came in. I feel as though it's time we reverted back into the more grittier styles of music."

Kininger and his band, which will perform Friday at the North Star, gets down and dirty live. Kininger works up a sweat while cranking out soulful sounds, which inspires the audience to move it on the dance floor.

"I think people forget how much they miss music which makes them move," Kininger said. "It's good to get into some music and work out a little."

The Boston-based Kininger may be touring behind his eponymous solo album, but he had plenty of help banging out the collection of intense instrumentals. His former Soulive mates, guitarist Eric Krasno and organist Neal Evans, plus trombonist Fred Wesley from George Clinton's Parliament, were among the many players who assisted Kininger.

"I had a lot of help from friends," Kininger said. "That's the way it is though in the Boston community. We all help each other. I came in with the basic template of songs and everyone who came in bought their own stuff to the plate. It was a very loose environment. So the songs developed out of what we did in the studio. We just went at it and ended up with some hard-hitting songs."

Kininger hopes his perception that soul is in vogue is on the money.

"That would be beneficial for me and those who play this kind of music," Kininger said. "I think what I do is back. I think there's a reason that it's back. People want this kind of music and I'll be more than happy to play it for them."

Sam Kininger appears Friday at the North Star, 27th & Poplar streets, Philadelphia. Tickets are $10. Show time is 9 p.m. 215-787-0488.
July 3, 2007 - Bucks County Courier Times


"Saxman Kininger Gets Down and Dirty"

Bucks County Courier Times (Levittown, PA){PUBLICATION2}


July 3, 2007
Section: LIFE LOCAL
Edition: CTI EDITION1
Page: E3

Sam Kininger


Saxman Kininger gets down and dirty



BY ED CONDRAN

COURIER TIMES

Sam Kininger doesn't just feel the soul emanating from within. The funky ace saxophonist, who has made a name for himself in such bands as Soulive and The Brotherhood of Groove, believes the musical landscape is changing.

"I see more bands that are into soul and funk than there has been in years," Kininger said while calling from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. "I think it was just a matter of time after the indie rock phase came in. I feel as though it's time we reverted back into the more grittier styles of music."

Kininger and his band, which will perform Friday at the North Star, gets down and dirty live. Kininger works up a sweat while cranking out soulful sounds, which inspires the audience to move it on the dance floor.

"I think people forget how much they miss music which makes them move," Kininger said. "It's good to get into some music and work out a little."

The Boston-based Kininger may be touring behind his eponymous solo album, but he had plenty of help banging out the collection of intense instrumentals. His former Soulive mates, guitarist Eric Krasno and organist Neal Evans, plus trombonist Fred Wesley from George Clinton's Parliament, were among the many players who assisted Kininger.

"I had a lot of help from friends," Kininger said. "That's the way it is though in the Boston community. We all help each other. I came in with the basic template of songs and everyone who came in bought their own stuff to the plate. It was a very loose environment. So the songs developed out of what we did in the studio. We just went at it and ended up with some hard-hitting songs."

Kininger hopes his perception that soul is in vogue is on the money.

"That would be beneficial for me and those who play this kind of music," Kininger said. "I think what I do is back. I think there's a reason that it's back. People want this kind of music and I'll be more than happy to play it for them."

Sam Kininger appears Friday at the North Star, 27th & Poplar streets, Philadelphia. Tickets are $10. Show time is 9 p.m. 215-787-0488.
July 3, 2007 - Bucks County Courier Times


Discography

Sam Kininger - Anthem (BMG, 2008)
Featuring: Sam Kininger - Sax
Amy Bowles - Keys
Aaron Bellamy - Bass
Jeff Lockhart - Guitar
Eric Krasno - Guitar
Nikki Glaspie - Drums
Charles Haynes - Drums
Mister Rourke - Turn Tables
Atticus Cole - Percussion
Eric Bloom - Trumpet
Marcie Chapa - Percussion

Sam Kininger - (2003)
Featuring: Sam Kininger - Alto Sax
Fred Wesley - Trombone
Ryan Zoidis - Tenor Sax
Marco Benevento - Keys
Neal Evans - Keys
James Hurt - Organ
Davy Nate - Keys
Jeff Lockhart - Guitar
Adam Smirnoff - Guitar
Tyrone Chase - Guitar
Chris Parks - Guitar
Chris Loftlin - Bass
Double Z - Bass
Nikki Glaspie - Drums
Joe Russo - Drums
Adam Deitch - Drums
Charles Haynes - Drums
Atticus Cole - Percussion
Mister Rourke - Turntables

Photos

Bio

A saxophone legend, Berklee alum, and all-around funk genius, Sam Kininger is building his fan-base and repertoire simultaneously at clubs across the country. Kininger has been in legendary funk/soul groups since the beginning, including, but not limited to Lettuce, Soulive and the Brotherhood of Groove. He has also performed with larger pop acts such as Dave Mathews Band, DJ Quick and Wyclef Jean.

As a solo artist Sam Kininger has developed a distinctive, organic sound on the saxophone that is strongly expressive. He consistently demonstrates his technical dexterity and rhythmic precision while maintaining an honest and innovative exploration of musical improvisation.

His debut album includes completely original instrumental funk/jazz compositions. The grooves are intense and the solos are aggressively rhythmic and deeply soulful. Loaded with guest musicians, Sam Kininger’s album features some of the most talented musicians on the scene, including Eric Krasno (guitar) and Neal Evans (organ) from Soulive, the legendary Fred Wesley (trombone) from George Clinton’s Parliament and James Brown’s JB’s, and Adam Deitch (drums), a member of guitar legend John Scofield’s band.

Sam Kininger’s original funk band, which also features Amy Bowles on Key’s, Aaron Bellamy on Bass and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce) on Drums (as well as an assortment of other rotating musicians), has been blowing away audiences with their high-energy funk for about 5 years now, and their musical evolution and popularity is exponentially growing with each show. They have performed at many festivals throughout the country, including The New Orleans Jazz Festival (LA), The North Beach Jazz Festival (CA), Snoe.Down (NY) and Berkfest (MA). They have also had successful shows in clubs such as The Blue Note (NYC), The Mercury Lounge (NYC), The Elbow Room (CA), Tipitina’s (LA) and many others.

Don't be surprised if some heavyweight players make sit-in appearances, and be less surprised if you find yourself dancing like a maniac. This is a must-see show, so grab your friends and make it a night out of dancing, drinking and funking.

Sam Kininger recently finished his sophomore album, "Anthem", which was released in Japan on March 5, 2008 on the BMG-JAPAN label. Plans are in the works for a US release later this year.

SOULIVE - Sam was also a member of the internationally renowned Blue Note recording group Soulive, who has successfully toured the world and achieved outstanding record sales. During the summer of 1999, Soulive cut their first LP, “Turn It Out,” for Velour. It featured guests John Scofield and Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers). Then, in 2001, Soulive released their sophomore album, “Doin’ Something,” featuring legendary performer and arranger Fred Wesley on trombone. In February 2001, Soulive toured Japan, followed by a month long European summer tour that included stops in France, England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. They band also did a run of stadium shows opening for the Dave Matthews Band.

On March 12, 2002 Soulive released their album NEXT. They incorporated their love for hip-hop and R&B creating the sounds for NEXT. They collaborated with Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Amel, Larrieux and Dave Matthews.

After a 4 year break from touring with Soulive, Kininger is once again back in the band and will be performing at most of their concerts this year including a slot at Newport Jazz Fest and a four-night run at The Blue Note in Tokyo.

LETTUCE – With their Velour Recordings release, Outta Here, Lettuce combines the grittiness of the Meters with the harmonic textures of Herbie Hancock. The band consists of Sam Kininger, Eric Krasno (Soulive), Neal Evans (Soulive), Adam Deitch (John Scofield, Shakira, Wyclef Jean), Adam Smirnoff (Robert Randolph), Erick Coomes (The Game, DJ Quick, Britney Spears), and Ryan Zoidis (Rustic Overtones). On their album, Lettuce is joined by some of their heroes including guitar great John Scofield, trombone legend Fred Wesley and Tonni Smith (Jamaica Funk). Lettuce has successfully toured across the US as well as Japan .

On April 22, 2008, Lettuce made their return with their third album, "Rage!", out on Velour Records. A homeage to the history of funk music, "Rage!" blends the old school with the new. Supporting their new album, Lettuce will be performing a number of live dates throughout the year including shows at New Orleans Jazz Fest, Fuji Rock Festival, All Good Music Festival, Newport Jazz Fest and Jamcruise.