Robert Walter's 20th Congress - April 1st, 2004
w/ Michael Wolff & Impure Thoughts and DJ Cappo
Robert Walter is building a reputation as one of America's finest jazz-funk keyboardists. As a founding member of the Greyboy Allstars, he performed with the group for five years, touring extensively in North America and Europe. He contributed to the soundtrack of the Castle Rock motion picture "Zero Effect" and has performed and recorded with such jazz and funk heavyweights as Fred Wesley, Melvin Sparks, Andy Bey and Reuben Wilson. As always, Robert Walter's Hammond Organ leads this tight quartet through a stable of boogaloo favorites. Look forward to a new sound, however, as once again, the 20th Congress will prove they are not afraid to stretch out and redefine. On Giving Up The Ghost, the 20th Congress's latest album out on Magna Carta, Robert explores new territory, incorporating elements of electronic music and dub reggae into his traditional R&B and jazz roots.

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Get ready! Michael Wolff is bringing his world jazz funkinfusion ensemble Impure Thoughts to Chicago. Michael Wolff, a blazin' pianist, made his name playing with Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Cal Tjader, Nancy Wilson and Airto Moreira and now leads this visionary group bringing jazz back into the 21st century. Impure Thoughts includes tabla master Badal Roy, a musician that All Music Guide called "the world's leading tabla player." Roy has performed with John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, and Ornette Coleman through the years. A man who needs no introduction, percussion inovator Mike Clark, is now playing drums with Impure Thoughts. He gained recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters in the early 1970's. Legendary jazz bass player John B. Williams rounds out the group, and he has quite the resume, his talents have supported such luminaries as Manhattan Transfer, Hugh Massakela, Freddie Hubbard, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. Williams’ uniquely textured bass style is not something you just hear. You feel it down to your bones.

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Band Information
Robert Walter's 20th Congress
Robert Walter — B-3 organ, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer
Cochemea Gastelum — Sax, Flute
Jason Smart — Drums

Michael Wolff & Impure Thoughts
Michael Wolff — Piano, Fender Rhodes
Badal Roy — Tablas
John B. Williams — Bass
Mike Clark — Drums