4 SCENE // Jackson Hole News&Guide // June 5, 2019 Music Snarky Puppy has room for everyone Snarky Puppy 8 p.m. today Center for the Arts, 265 S. Cache St. $75-$95 plus $3 processing fee JHCenterForTheArts.org

By Billy Arnold

At this point you’ve probably heard of Snarky Puppy. Or maybe you haven’t. Even though the band has gone from be- ing one of the best-kept secrets in the music industry to the top of the instrumental mu- sic scene (it has a perfect batting average at the Grammys, with three nominations and three wins), Snarky Puppy is still kind of a niche operation: an oftentimes 20-part jazz band that improvises onstage and records in front of a live studio audience. With all those moving parts it might seem impossible for the members of Snarky Puppy, which will play at 8 tonight at the Center for the Arts, not to step on one an- other’s feet. But Justin Stanton, one of the band’s trumpet and keyboard players, said they don’t. That big-band energy and presence is all part of the process. “When we record, everyone’s involved, everyone’s there, everybody that’s touring regularly,” Stanton said. “It’s usually 20, 25 STELLA K / COURTESY PHOTO guys present in the recording session. You’ve Snarky Puppy, a 10-plus piece jazz band from Brooklyn, New York, has won three Grammy Awards. It will play the Center for got all these brains in the room, and every- the Arts tonight. Hopefully the band fits on the stage. body’s recording.” That’s held true even as Snarky Puppy the band wanted to invert that. organ and jazz piano sounds, the synths “Things just come out, and it’s just a part of has deviated from its long-held practice of “We’re trying to bring a studio experi- on “Culcha Vulcha” and “Immigrance” are who you are as a person,” Stanton said. “The recording in front of a live audience for its ence to the stage,” Stanton said. “The en- ethereal and seem to draw as much from way you play and improvise and the way you latest two albums, “Culcha Vulcha” (2016) ergy’s sort of going in the other direction.” world music traditions as they do from compose, the more experience you get. It’s more and “Immigrance” (2019). Stanton said do- With that new studio focus, Snarky American roots. about who you are and what you grew up with.” ing so built off the band’s 2015 album, “Syl- Puppy’s music is still freewheeling and The entrance of those influences are a Still, Stanton and the rest of the group va,” which was recorded with the Metropole improvisational, though it now features a product of Snarky Puppy’s members be- have been deeply affected by their opportunity Orkest, a Danish jazz and pop orchestra. particularly crisp, studio-refined edge. Like ing steeped in a number of musical tradi- to play with and for people of cultures across “We’re trying to do orchestral arrange- “Skate U” from 2010’s “Tell Your Friends,” tions and getting a chance to play on an the globe. The title of their latest album, “Im- ments with the band,” he said. which features a mind-bending keyboard international stage. The band’s leader, bass migrance,” might seem vaguely political. And On past albums, like “Family Dinner solo courtesy of Cory Henry, songs like player and composer Michael League, was that’s because it is. Vaguely. Vol. 1,” which is one of two projects Snarky “Chonks,” the first song on “Immigrance” inspired to write “Xavi” after performing at “It’s recognizing that people are moving Puppy has released that featured vocals — it still feature teeth-clenching bass and key- the Gnaoua World Music Festival in Mo- and cultures are moving and interacting to- also won Snarky Puppy its first Grammy for board hooks. rocco with a group of gnawa musicians. But gether and trying to embrace that,” Stanton the performance of “Something” — Stanton But whereas the keyboards — a hallmark Stanton said that was a sort of an exception said. “We’re all in motion at all times.” said the band was tapping “the energy of a of the band, which features three keyboard to the rule. live performance in a studio.” players at any given time — on Snarky Pup- Nobody in the band tries to “consciously Contact Billy Arnold at 732-7062 or On “Culcha Vulcha” and “Immigrance” py’s earlier albums hew closer to traditional tap into anything” when recording. [email protected]. Austin country rockers making their return The Band of Heathens 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Thursday on the Americana Music Association’s radio charts. That Pink Garter Theatre, 50 W. Broadway progression has culminated in the release of their most re- $19.75 including processing fee cent album, “Duende,” which came out in 2017. PinkGarterTheatre.com The Heathens’ current band, which includes Jurdi and Quist as vocalists and guitarists, as well as Trevor Nealon By Tom West (piano), Richard Millsap (percussion) and Jesse Wilson (bass), also garnered attention from Rolling Stone for its Turns out it’s not impossible to experience Louisi- 2018 cover of Ray Charles’ “A Message From the People.” ana in the mountains. In fact, it’s possible to hear the After all that, though, The Band of Heathens’ Austin Louisiana bayou and the innumerable music venues of roots run deep. Austin, Texas, all in one night. It’s clear that the cultural landscape of the American The Band of Heathens, an innovative country-rock South is the source of the musicians’ sound: the music clubs outfit from Austin is set to return to Jackson for an 8 p.m. and dirt roads of Austin show in their roots-rock style, show Thursday at the Pink Garter Theatre. With a sound while their lyrics tell well-wrought stories of the Louisi- reminiscent of The Eagles, the band’s live show promises to ana bayou. A glance at their tour stops tell you where their provide a much needed, back-porch style sound inspired by fanbase lives, and what sort of town The Band of Heathens Austin summer nights. And though there’s a bit of nostalgic sings about: places like Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bozeman, bayou rock in their music, the Heathens’ Austin ties shine Montana; and Rock Mountain, Virginia. through the twang. “I think the American West really symbolizes the true It’s where they got their start, after all. spirit of America,” Jurdi said, describing how the mountains The Band of Heathens started as a side project for sing- have inspired their music. er-songwriters Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, who met over “The feeling of open air and endless possibility has a cer- drinks while playing shows at a live music bar in Austin. tain effect on the way I perceive the world, and in turn, the Along with a cadre of other Austin musicians, the duo way I write music. We’ve always loved spending time as a eventually began playing together under the moniker The band in the mountains. It’s a really inspiring place.” Good Time Supper Club. But when a local paper misprint- Having already played the Pink Garter, as well as ed their name as “The Heathens,” Jurdi and Quist changed an on-air performance at the base of Jackson Hole their band’s name. Mountain Resort, the members of The Band of Hea- That mistake kicked off a career that would see them re- thens are familiar with the area. cord a few live albums in Austin’s hallowed music halls, tape They’re looking forward to coming back. a show for the 35th anniversary of Austin City Limits and “The Pink Garter specifically is a very cool performance pick up a few nods from the Americana Music Association. space, so we’re excited to come into town and play some COURTESY PHOTO Now, 14 years after they first bonded over drinks, The Band music for y’all,” Jurdi said. “It’s been way too long.” Over the past 14 years, The Band of Heathens has of Heathens has become a stalwart of sorts on the Ameri- become a staple of sorts on the Americana circuit. The cana circuit, charting both a No. 1 and No. 2 album (“Band Contact Tom West via 732-7062 or entertainment@ band will return to the Tetons to play a set Thursday at of Heathens” and “Sunday Morning Record,” respectively) jhnewsandguide.com. the Pink Garter Theatre.