Dan Ristrom: bass, vocals...
Cornell Blanchard: keys, vocals...
Aaron Ollswang: guitar, vocals...
Pat Nelson: drums, vocals...
Aaron Wiener: trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, vocals...
Dan Kusz: saxophone...,
Peter Day: drums...
Influences
FUNK, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Rick James, Ohio Players, WAR...
Reggae, Bob, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Junior Murvin... Etc
Dan Ristrom's Big Throwdown has worn several hats since it's inception as Santorini's Tuesday house band. Originally a red-hot jazz combo featuring other members of the Ristrom family, the band slowly transformed, diversifying its repetoire, changing its name, and taking on new musicians from around the twin cities. A revolving cast of characters finally made way for the exceptional sextet currently holding the moniker.
Featuring some of the best young musicians minneapolis and st paul have to offer pulled from the ranks of some of the cities' brightest young bands (city collective (root city), 8 switch assembly, buckets and tap shoes, black belt jonezin', the nate miller band, the dan kusz band among others...) Dan Ristrom's Big Throwdown offers a funky, flexible forum for other twin cityites to come show off their chops. On any given night, it's not uncommon to catch such established talents as Emil Campbell and Kimberly Michaels (of R Factor), Debra G (of Copasetic), Larry Foyen (of Ray Charles, Maynard Ferguson), David Island, Tony Axtell, Deevo, Jonathan Earle, Willie Moore, Heatbox, Alex Rossi, Elliot Blaufuss, members of Gold Standard, the New Congress, The Ready Go's, Innebration, etc, etc,... sitting in with the band.
The Big Throwdown wins consistent praise for its shining musicianship, unyielding energy and its ability to draw from johnny cash, miles davis, sly in the family stone, bob marley and lenny kravitz all over the course of a single set. Currently, The Big Throwdown just finished holding the Thursday night house slot at Glueks in downtown Minneapolis in addition to performing throughout the metro area. So keep your eyes peeled and bring your axe!
The MN Music Festival Guide is up on www.twincityscene.com . The guide contains links to the bands playing at each one so that you can pick the festival that has the music you like and plan which bands you want to see. Enjoy!
Hey! I hope this finds you well. There's lots of exciting stuff going on right now! I just wanted to let you know we've got some new songs, and pictures up on my page. Also we're starting to get some air play all across the United States. Stop by my blog section to find the request lines to the stations in your area. Do you think you could help us out by calling the request line and demanding one of our tunes?!? Let me know how things are going with you. I hope all is well! Talk to ya soon! -Jeff"
