Ugly Elephant
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Ugly Elephant

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Jazz Funk

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Ugly Elephant places 4th for "Best Instrumental Band" in 2011-2012 Austin Music Awards"

"Ugly Elephant places 4th for Best Instrumental Band in 2011-2012 Austin Music Awards!"

Best Instrumental

Balmorhea
2) Ulrich Ellison
3) Descendents of Erdrick
4) Ugly Elephant
5) Explosions in the Sky
6) The Calm Blue Sea
7) Eagle Claw
8) Black Red Black
9) Waterloo Trio
10) Brownout - Austin Chronicle


"Ugly Elephant places 3rd for "Best Instrumental Band" in 2010-2011 Austin Music Awards"

Best Instrumental
Eric Johnson
2. Balmorhea
3. Ugly Elephant
4. Los Texas Wranglers
5. 16 Strings
6. Descendants of Erdrick
7. A Is Red
8. 3 Balls of Fire
9. McLemore Avenue
10. Explosions in the Sky - Austin Chronicle, Austin Chronicle Reader's Poll 2010-2011, Austin Chronicle 2010-2011 Music Awards


"InSite Magazine Album Review of "Ugly Elephant""

In 2008 a jazz-meets-funk instrumental
band called Ugly Elephant formed after
a conversation between musicians at
Austin’s Eeyore’s Birthday Party. The five
piece band has been playing around town
at venues like Ruta Maya, Headhunters,
and Red Eyed Fly. On Thursday August 5
they will be heading into their three-night
at three-venue CD release party.

I’m not really a jazz enthusiast. My
knowledge of jazz is pretty much confined
to The Cosby Show and the times I
wander into the Elephant Room. That is
to say, I enjoy the genre, but I’m not the
guy who can pick apart a freestyle jam. I
do appreciate the collective sound it produces.
I’m a dabbler.

Ugly Elephant’s debut self-titled CD is
something I could truly get into. I’d call
it “accessible jazz.” It’s more jam band
music that happens when musicians who
truly have an extreme knowledge of their
instruments and craft get together and let
loose.

The first track, “Africa” kicks in with
a nice baseline before the wa-wa guitar
and horn fills it out. “Dorkus Rex” features
my favorite moment on this CD
when it breaks the freeform jam to play
about 30 seconds of a 1960s sock-hop
groove. “Whole Lotta Nasty” features a
killer guitar jam. The final track, “The
Metal Song” comes in full force, but
then pulls back into a flute and keyboard
driven track that would make Ray Manzarek
smile.

If you’re into fun free-form funk and
jazz fusion you’ll dig Ugly Elephant. The
band is made up of Dave “DJ” Johnson
(drums), Chris Hart (guitar), Tim Girardot
(keys), Austin Simmons (bass) and
Mitch Quintanilla (saxophone).
The CD Release weekend begins Thursday
August 5 when at 10p they’ll have a
listening party at Nomad. Friday they’ll
play Headhunters and Saturday Ruta Maya
is where they’ll be. See more on their MySpace
Page – www.myspace.com/uglyelephantband
– Sean Claes - Sean Claes


Discography

Ugly Elephant - "In The Room"
Album Release Date: 09/01/12
1. Mud Bugz
2. Albatros
3. Psy Klezmer

"Ugly Elephant"
Album Release Date: 08/05/10
1. Africa
2. Bodhisattva
3. Pass Along
4. Antartiant Folk
5. Hart Foundation
6. Dorkus Rex
7. Tim's Song
8. Whole Lotta Nasty
9. The Metal Song

Photos

Bio

The band was conceived in the Spring of 2008 by former band-mates, Dave “DJ” Johnson and Chris Hart after a brief conversation during Austins' famous Spring Birthday Celebration for Eeyore. Shortly after, Tim Girardot joined the band on Keys and Mitch Vandenburg joined on Bass. Now featuring Aric Pearson on Saxophone, Shane Walden on Trumpet, Scott Harrison on Trombone and Karyn Lane on Clarinet. Ugly Elephant is a powerful collaboration of intense funk grooves, experimental jazz fusion and progressive rock. Ugly Elephant is impromptu yet structured with no musical boundaries. The music contains catchy hooks, melodies, innovative rhythms and solos galore, keeping the average listener interested and the audience impressed. Ugly Elephant is a premier Austin, Texas band that will keep you off your feet, hitting you deep in your chest with some nasty funk that will force your body to move to the beat!