On these tracks it's Steve Langone on drums and Fernando Huergo on bass.
Suzanna Smith on vocals on Blue.
Bay area gigs have featured Aaron Germain on bass and Paul Van Wageningen or Otto Huber on drums.
Influences
John Scofield, Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Baden Powell… just to start with some guitarists.
Current listening favorites are: Marissa Monte, Salif Keita, Leonard Cohen, Herbie Hancock, Etienne Mbappé, Astor Piazzola, David Binney, Kneebody, Serge Gainsbourg, Guillermo Klein
The Ken Husbands Group performs a unique blend of jazz and world music: original compositions interlaced with recognized standards and fresh arrangements of popular music from a wide variety of sources. The music has been described as “fun, sophisticated, electrifying, and funky.” The group’s foundation is a trio of guitar, bass and drums. Vocalist Suzanna Smith is a frequent collaborator and other instruments may be added depending on the needs and constraints of the venue.
Ken’s guitar style extends from the traditional jazz of Wes Montgomery to the contemporary sounds of John Scofield, combined with elements of African, South American and European music traditions. He has lead groups in Paris, France, southern California and his home town Boston, Massachusetts before settling in Oakland in 2005. In the Bay Area he has performed at venues such as Yoshi’s, Anna’s Jazz Island, Freight and Salvage, La Peña Cultural Center, Savanna Jazz, the Sausalito Arts Festival and the Richmond Civic Center.
The variety of Ken’s music can be heard on his 2008 release “Unique Clear Formula,” which explores styles ranging from funk to bossa nova in original compositions, a couple of standards, and free improvisation fueled by the creative energies of Steve Langone on drums and Fernando Huergo on bass.
In addition to leading his own group, Ken performs regularly with the Junius Courtney Big Band featuring Denise Perrier, the New World Street Players, the Suzanna Smith Band and other ensembles.
Hey Ken, Thanks for the kind words! Why don't you show up at one of my trio gigs with your guitar & amp and sit in on a couple of tunes? Simple Pleasures Cafe: Oct 15, Nov 8, Dec 10. And bring some of that blue stuff!!
