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Alphabet
Soup
Alphabet Soup is the Bay Area's own underground supergroup. Formed in 1991 by saxophonist Kenny Brooks, pianist Dred Scott, rapper Chris Burger and drummer Jay Lane, Alphabet Soup immediately became one of San Francisco's most popular bands. Because of their unique hip-hop/jazz crossover appeal, Alphabet Soup gained a tight local following witnessed during their famous runs in major S.F. clubs like the Up & Down Club, Elbo Room, Café du Nord, Justice League and Bruno's. Alphabet Soup has toured the West Coast with The Roots, and appeared on bills alongside De la Soul, Digable Planets and KRS One to name a few. In addition to the core band which includes Jesse Murphy, Jeff Chimenti, MC Xtra Cheese, Alphabet Soup has a deep bench of local musicians, emcees and DJs. Alphabet Soup is also known to play host to the visitations of many modern jazz greats like bassists Les Claypool and Kai Eckhardt; horn players like Joshua Roseman and Larry Schneider; drummers like Brain, Eddie Marshall, Steve Smith and David Garibaldi. Soup's own drummer, Jay Lane won "Drummer of the Year" at the 2002 California Music Awards. Les Claypool was so impressed upon hearing Alphabet Soup that he set up Soup's first live recording "Layin Low in the Cut" on his Prawn Song label. In 1996 Soup won the Bammie for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Each of the band's talented members have also forged impressive careers apart from Alphabet Soup. Kenny Brooks left briefly to play for the Charlie Hunter Quartet and record the Natty Dread album on Blue Note. Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Kenny Brooks are also current members of Bob Weir's band Ratdog. Wilbur Krebs played with Willie Nelson. Jesse Murphy was a part of the popular Brazilian Girls. Alphabet Soup was the first group to bring rappers to the Monterey Jazz Festival. Their appearances at Monterey, SF Jazz Festival and Yoshi’s jazz club showcased their unique blend of jazz and hip hop, their trademark sound.
Crossing over to Brooklyn, NY, Dred, Kenny and CB have started their east coast Soup mission with a gig at their neighborhood spot Royale on 5th Ave.. look for more Alphabet Soup NYC gigs coming soon..
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Big up Alphabet Soup! Some of my best musical memories are from the Up and Down Club in the early 90s, hearing you cats KILL it, along with some of the illest off the head rhymes from the Freestyle Fellowship and the FSC crew. Damn, hasn't been that ill since, much respect.
JFJO returns San Francisco in support of their new album One Day in Brooklyn on Fri. Sept. 11th at Cafe Du Nord, with The Last Ambassadors supporting. Doors at 8:30pm and music at 9:30pm. Advance tickets still available. JFJO is also in Santa Cruz at Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight! See you soon!
JFJO returns San Francisco in support of their new album One Day in Brooklyn on Fri. Sept. 11th at Cafe Du Nord, with The Last Ambassadors supporting. Doors at 8:30pm and music at 9:30pm. Advance tickets still available. JFJO is also in Santa Cruz at Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight! See you soon!
