Thunderstick

THE NEW HORN BAND- THUNDERSTICK
10 SONGS, 10 STORIES

Something new is being said in music! Thunderstick is a horn- driven jazz-rock influenced band that recalls the day of Zappa, BS&T and Chicago, but says it in a contemporary way. Bassist and composer Brian Torff combines catchy melodies with strong rhythmic grooves that span from jazz and rock to hip- hop and reggae while featuring New York City ‘s premiere musicians. Each tune conveys a strong sense of the past mixed with influences from the current music scene- this is a white-hot band with a message.
Torff’s arrangements are sophisticated yet accessible, while his eight-piece band
(Tony Kadleck, Fred Maxwell, trumpets, Ken Gioffre, tenor sax, John Fumasoli, trombone, Brian Charette, keyboards, Torff, bass and vocals, Grisha Alexiev, drums and Diana Herold, percussion,) display their virtuoso abilities that connect with an audience.
This is new jazz, new music that is happening in the future, along with rock, hip-hop, funk and the blues.
Thunderstick’s music centers around Torff’s almost vocalizing bass that pays tribute to past great artists and heroes in a new light. Torff, whom John S. Wilson of the New York Times once referred to as “ a solid composer and arranger’ shows his admiration for Frank Zappa in his ‘Farewell, Duke of Prunes’, ‘Earth Mother’- about his former musical boss, Mary Lou Williams, and his hip-hop version of ‘Workin’ On a Bassline’ a praise song for Milt Hinton, his mentor and friend. The reggae tune, ‘Gnarly Shred’ features a soulful melody and ‘House of Dzugu’ is hot African –funk. ‘Illinois Central, ‘Life in East Bumblepuck,’ ‘Dominating,’ and Torff’s harmonica intro to ‘A Night on the Underground Railroad’ all combine funky rhythms with strong melodies. This is dance music with brains-music with imagination and integrity.
While a considerable amount of modern music has become either overly conservative or boringly predictable, Thunderstick is a powerhouse band that brings in the storm as only a great band can. Like their song ’Illinois Central,’ they keep on rolling.
Every track is a story.
Brian Torff is a renowned bassist, composer, arranger, and music educator.
For further information please check out-
www.briantorff.com