The Scene: When Everyone Orchestra makes a stop along the Front Range you can always count on a rousing good time and last Saturday’s Flood Benefit at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom showcased excellent musical theater and a community banding together in the wake of the devastating September floods. Everyone Orchestra is the brainchild of composer and vocalist Matt Butler, who brings together a different crop of musicians to jam and create songs for every run of shows. By holding up cue cards for the musicians and the crowd, Matt holds the keys for how he wants the show to sound and feel and the band does the rest. It’s an interactive performance that keeps the crowd engaged and produces a different style of show every time. Although it was another busy night of concerts around Denver, a large crowd with appreciation for all the different bands represented on stage still managed to pack the room. It was interesting to try and differentiate between the different fans throughout the evening as we danced the night away in soulful fashion.
Everyone Orchestra: Saturday’s orchestra featured: Sunshine Garcia Becker and John Kadlecik (Furthur), Bridget Law and Bonnie Payne (Elephant Revival), Dan Lebowitz (ALO), Steve Molitz (Particle), Allen Aucoin (Disco Biscuits) , the Euforquestra Horns and the first lady of Little Feat, Shaun Murphy. In all, there were a ton of talented musicians on stage with each one bringing a slightly different element to the room.
The performance quickly took on a dramatic feel with Sunshine fittingly belting out “Here Comes Sunshine” while Steve did his funky Particle routine on the keyboard. The whole show stayed more soulful than funky thanks to the powerful and sassy singing of Shaun Murphy who went through the roof whenever she was given the opportunity. Butler was also his usual hyper self, bouncing and swaying to the tempo of each song and giving plenty of “scream” cues to the audience.
What do you get when you cross Elephant Revival with Furthur, Particle, Euforquestra and Little Feat? You receive a truly engaging performance where the artists pour heart into their craft. I’ve always felt like the musicians at EO shows look like their having a ton of fun and tonight was no different as both Steve and Dan jammed wildly all night. With Everyone Orchestra, Matt Butler has created something truly amazing where songs are created and group improvisation roars to life. I highly recommend catching the act the next time they stroll into town. You never know who might be on stage.
Cervantes’ did an equally exceptional job putting on and promoting this show for a good cause. Between the silent auction before the show, the opening bands and the kindness of the venue it was a great way to support the flood victims who have suffered so much over the last few months.
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A
Stage Presence: A+
Set/Light Show: B+
Overall: A
+ There are no comments
Add yours