Musicians: Chris Weigers (electric & acousticbass,keyboard,clarinet), Shawn Murray(drums & percussion), Victor Burks (keyboard&vocals), Dave Diamond (guitar&vocals), Mala Waldron (keyboard & vocals), Michael Amendola (tenor & soprano saxophone,flute), Uli Binetsch or Mark Paquin ((trombone). Guest artists - Robben Ford (guitar), Bob Mintzer (tenor saxophone), Russell Ferrante (keyboards), Chris Palmaro (Hammond B3 organ), Jason Crosby (keyboard & violin), John Scarpulla (tenor saxophone), Terry Nigrelli (trombone), James Ingenito (trumpet), Bob Stander (guitar), Willie Steel (guitar), Yutaka (keyboard)
Tracks: Penang, Comin' Back To You, Look Up, Turn Away, Where's My Keys, Life, Imagine, Lost In Rennes, People Got To Be Free, Square Kilometer Array, Love's In Need Of Love, Peg, Cleopatra, Minor Byrd
ArushA enters the jazz world with a hybrid style featuring distinct ska and old school R & B elements. The result is both intrinsically danceable and rewarding for the attentive listener. This band proves that the descriptive terms "fun" and "serious" must not be mutually exclusive. Not surprisingly, the band members come from diverse musical backgrounds. Bassist/leader Chris Weigers has played with artists such as the late Makanda Ken McIntyre, John Abercrombie, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, and The Zen Tricksters. Shawn Murray is best known as the longtime drummer for the legendary Willy DeVille. Victor Burks is a member of Chuck D's "Fine Arts Militia" while Dave Diamond drums with Donna Jean and The Tricksters and leads his own "Pozzy Ghuru". Mala Waldron is in demand as both a keyboardist and vocalist while leading her own "Mala Waldron Band". Her "Always There" cd is jazz/R & B tour de force. Michael Amendola, a recording artist in his own right, continues to be a mainstay of banjoist Tony Trischka's group. Uli Binetsch is a top musician in his native Germany while Mark Paquin holds the trombone chair with NYSJE and is a rockin' bass player also!
Co-produced by Weigers and fellow bassist Jimmy Haslip, the "Look Up" cd feautures three of the latter's Yellowjacket compatriots in guest roles; Robben Ford lends his world renowned guitar sound to two tracks, Bob Mintzer's tenor sax burns through three tunes, and Russell Ferrante just does the right thing (as befits such a wonderful composer) on two others. Chris Palmaro, the NY session stalwart currently heard with John Tropea, is superb on the Hammond while Jason Crosby of Robert Randolph and the Family Band grooves on keys and delights with the violin. John Scarpulla shows his Tower Of Power roots and on and on..... Try your best not to be captivated both through the ears and the feet as you check out this band!
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