The Scene: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom has, over the years, become Denver’s own version of The House of Blues. There is a rotation of artists that don’t all fit in the same file but they all play the same stage. From Rap stars, to electronic Jambands, Hip-Hop masters and leaders in Rock and Roll, Cervantes’ has given Denver a mixture of acts that are never a disappointment. There have been plenty of changes to the venue and operation through the 12 years but it manages to keep its flavor. The stage area has grown and transformed in the past 5 years, renovation to the main stage, additional light rigging and a top notch sound system provides more space and sound for the large ensemble bands that gather there. There have been many events and shows that bring 10, 15 or more artists on stage at once needing room to blare their instruments and give their audiences one hell-ova-show! This was the case over the weekend for the Ballrooms’ 12 year celebration, allowing Everyone Orchestra to kick off another year of musical delightment at Cervs. Everyone Orchestra was the band for both Friday and Saturday night, with local bands The Congress opening Friday and Deadphish Orchestra Saturday. On Saturday the scene was filled with excitement, patrons ready to celebrate. The line to get in was long and tight, regulars and newcomers waiting to push through to the party.
Opener: DeadPhish Orchestra. Breckenridge Brewing supplied kegs for those through the doors before 9pm, waiting in anticipation for the main event that was rumored to go on around 11 to the tight jams of DeadPhish Orchestra. Deadphish gave the patrons a solid base before the main event. They are the exact combination of both The Grateful Dead and Phish straight down the middle that will give everything that you want to hear. Rotating Phish and Grateful Dead songs for a solid 15 song set, they closed things out with “Shakedown Street” and made way for the headliners.
Everyone Orchestra: Everyone Orchestra is the ensemble bands of all ensemble bands. With an ever rotating group of participants, the band is always a spectacular mix of talented musicians. During 2014, the band had 155 participating musicians, 77 of them for the first time being part of the group. The weekend’s line up was one for the books and a real treat for Jazz and Funk lovers. The fully improvisational performances are led by Matt Butler, the conductor and expresser of the group and his collection of musicians for this round was a mixture of Funk masters, Soul singers and Jamband extraordinaires. Butler is a jolly man, asking the crowd for participation and energy. He conducts his musicians using a white board scribbled with directions on where to head next. The Funk would be heavy with this cast which included, Dave Watts (drums), Matt Pitts (saxophone), Jans Ingber (singer, bongos) and Gabe Mervine (trumpet) all joining from their Jazz Funk fused band The Motet. Jeremy Salken, notable drummer for Big Gigantic, kept the rhythm for the band alongside Watts. Joey Porter (keys- The Motet) and Robert Walter (keys-Greyboy Allstars) were situated between their keyboards. Al Schnier (guitar-MOE.), Eric Krasno (guitar-Soulive), ladies Durga McBroom (singer- Pink Floyd) and Natalie Cressman & Jennifer Hartswick (Horns-Trey Anastasio Band) and Oteil Burbridge (bass-Allman Brothers) rounded out the gang.
Never knowing where the music will take us, there was never a shortage of energy. Krasno and Schnier were remarkable shredding guitar riffs reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. There was a very striking solo scat performance by Jennifer Hartswick. Of course there was the filthy Funk, joyous Jazz and hearty R&B oozing throughout each song but I heard the likes of Afrobeat, Latin Salsa and pure Rock and Roll seething from the players. The brass section continued to heave and growl as dueling keyboards between Porter and Walters, drum solos from Watts and Saleken, shook the stage as it surged with talent. The energy blasts were loud but all were cohesive and no one ever over powered anyone else. The music just didn’t stop and at times an overwhelming feeling of pure musical bliss blanketed the fans.
The artists individually are all well respected and if you are a fan, you would be happy to have just a few playing an acoustic set. But to have all that talent and ability together at once, creating a robust improvisational performance was unreal and truly moving. The endeavor that is Everyone Orchestra is the child born from Butler, where he cares for and forms some of the most entertaining supergroups around. To top off the night, which was a very special treat for me, was John Popper, who joined the superstars to end the evening. He was playing next door at the Other Side with the group Brother’s Keeper. John blessed the stage toting his extra limb – his harmonica – for a three song cherry topper. He is legendary and his technique and sound is always recognizable. The addition of the harmonica pushed the collective to the peak of musical greatness.
The evening was almost too much to put into words as there aren’t enough adjectives to describe the epic presentation of musical genius. The band members threw down a heroic endeavor and provided smiles to everyone leaving the show. It was a performance of a lifetime and I know I will be re- telling the experience over and over again.
Energy: A
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A
Stage Presence: B
Set/Light Show: B-
Overall: A-
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