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Monkey's Uncle are a 5 piece band performing original modern jazz combining elements of swing, latin & funk with modern jazz / rock harmony & groove.
The band was originally formed in January 2004 by rhythm section members
Al Swainger, Gary Evans & Jesse Molins.
Born out of free jamming and a desire for musical exploration this moved from private jams at Ide Studios to a regular public jam at Exeter's old Amber Rooms. Initially unpaid and glad for the chance to get the more bizarre forms of musical expression off our chests this was an exciting time of self-discovery. Playing one week as a jam session and the next as a gig to play whatever came into our heads at the time, nothing was sacred. Fusions of jazz, hip-hop, drum & bass, latin and rock all mixed together for some very exciting new music.
As the jam session became more popular we met some fantastic local musicians and over time augmented our line up to include Otto Caretta on Saxes and George Cooper on Keys. Of necessity the jams gradually became more mainstream and more readily identifiable as 'jazz', the quintet however still managed to retain its earlier wildness and unpredictability, mixing standards with free jazz and rock sensibilities to create something new and intense.
This whole scene was in danger of collapse when the Amber Rooms announced plans for a total refit and renovation of the bar, originally planned to last approximately 3 months. A chance meeting at the Angel, in large part down to the suggestion of Laura Wright (George's mum and a great sax player and singer), fortunately led to our rescue and provided a new venue for the jam session. Unfortunately for us, they would only provide the jam and not the alternate of week of experimental gig/jam which really inspired us to tread new ground. For many reasons this session failed to maintain the popularity it had held at the Amber Rooms - perhaps due to the absence of students, away for the summer break, or perhaps the smaller venue or change of location. For whatever the reasons the Angel decided to end our stay rather abruptly, informing us as we arrived for what turned out to be our last session there - and out we went with a fizzle.
With the Amber Rooms re-opening date constantly postponed and still realistically nowhere in sight we had to search for a new home, again.
This time we were rescued by the Globe, Newtown, easily the most regular and enthusiastic home to music of all kinds in Exeter at the present time.
Monkey's Uncle has continued to develop its own sound and now performs an entire set of original material, written exclusively by band members, to enthusiastic crowds around Devon including the Teignmouth Jazz Festival 2005. The band also recently played an hour long set for Vibraphonic FM in 2006.
Recording for un upcoming album began in August of 2005 with more material recorded in April 2006 and mixing to take place over the next month or so.
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