Music
Press
Reviewer: grendelschoice
Can't express how delighted I am to discover this band w/this show.
This is a wonderful blend of jazz/funk/groove that blends elements of Medeski, Martin & Wood with Soullive and even a little John McLaughlin.
The recording is impeccable and more than worth a DL, especially for the great song selection.
Will look for these guys to play live in my area and til then will explore their shows on the archive and highly urge y'all to do the same.
GC
- Archive.org, February 07, 2006
"This show was amazing. The Consul got the night started off on the right foot (their opening set is on Archive), and then Special Purpose brought the house down. Tim Symons is a maniac on the keyboards and this show features the best of both his worlds: mind bending intensity (listen to the sound of circumstances) and Page McConnell/Bruce Hornsby-esque beauty on his solo late in the set. Top to bottom this set is top notch. Sound quality is a little strange, but well worth the download!"
- Archive.org, March 21, 2006
Discography
- "The Special Purpose (Live)": 2006, Opti-Grab Productions.
- 12 recordings of live performances available for free download at...
http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php?collection=etree&mode=mp3&cat=The%20Special%20Purpose
Photos
Bio
Since 2004, The Special Purpose has gained a reputation as one of the Pacific Northwest's premier grassroots musical acts. Their blend of old-school Funk and new-school Jazz combined with open ended improvisations creates a unique instrumental musical experience that is thoughtful and exhilarating. The Special Purpose was founded when an improvisational recording project brought the four members together in their respective home of Seattle Washington. John Fawcett, Stephen Fogg, Chris Stefanile and Tim Symons quickly found that their different and diverse musical backgrounds seemed to meld together with a sustained ease and effortlessness, subsequently creating a truly unique fusion of their influences and ideas. Each band member plays an equal role in the sound of The Special Purpose. There is no 'front man', and therefore the band is free to create music that has no restrictions or limitations of any kind. The Special Purpose's music is an inspiring testament to the power of cooperation and artistic integrity. Over time the band has honed their writing and improvisational skills though constant live performances. Due to the nature of the group, no two shows are the same. The Special Purpose can go from dark and intense one moment, to beautiful and inspiring the next. Through clever songwriting and high energy performances, this genre-jumping unpredictability is tight and coherent, inspiring a diverse audience of music lovers looking for that perfect sound you can wrap your brain around and shake your money maker to. The Special Purpose has shared the stage with some of the Northwest’s top bands and performers including: Olympic Sound Collective, Das Vibenbass, The Consul, Ron Wienstien, Craig Flory, High Ceiling, Dig The Particulars, Flowmotion and many others. This Summer TSP will perform at The Dogstock Music Festival in Kansas with Melven Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band, Bernie Worrell, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, 2007 Grammy Winner Ike Turner, Rebirth Brass Band, Moonshine Still, Shanti Groove, Great American Taxi, Green Lemon, Leon Russell, Fareed Haque (of Garaj Mahal), Alfred Howard and the K23 Orchestra, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Perpetual Groove and so many more.
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