Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet &
Chris Berry & Panjea - October 20, 2006
"The way I see it, the slow death of jazz has been created by individuals more conservative than most right-wing politicians." So says the Seattle tenor saxophonist known as Skerik. (Do you think the Marsalises are listening?) "Rather than allowing that to drag us down," he says, "we actually do the reverse and draw inspiration from it."

The name of his group, we're told, derives from the "syncopated taint" of moral decay in America that came from jazz and marijuana, as described by America's first "drug czar," Harry J. Anslinger.

This, clearly, is an alt-jazz bunch full of pith and vinegar and energy. One of the tunes on its new disc - which, according to its publicity assumes funk and hip-hop to take the place in jazz that blues and gospel once did - is called "Go to Hell, Mr. Bush." The music is similarly aggressive and unambiguous. It's wild, phantasmagoric, full of sonic variety and the roar of a septet playing together (the group's instrumentation is tenor, baritone sax/clarinet, alto, trombone, Hammond B-3 and drums - no bass player).

The music is superb - inventive, exciting, disheveled, mangy and, by Lincoln Center standards, inspirationally ill-behaved.

learn more about Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet

Berry's story "sounds like it was written by a Hollywood script writer" (Steve Leggett, All Music Guide). Maybe that is because it is hard to believe that a California White boy moved to Africa, became a spirit caller, and went on to sell over a million records in Southern Africa, where he still sells out stadiums. Now he is positioned to do the same in America. A lot of small-town American kids flee home as soon as they hit legal age, in search of something. Many find their way back home, but few journeys match those taken by Berry. After over a decade living in Africa, Berry has now settled back in America following the edict given to him by African ancestor spirits to make a difference here, launching a slew of new activities to convey his message of justice and peace.

learn more about Chris Berry & Panjea

Band Information
Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet
Skerik - Bandleader, Tenor Saxophone
Hans Teuber - Alto Saxophone, Flute
Craig Flory - Bari Saxophone, Clarinet
John Wicks - Drums, Toys
Dave Carter - Trumpet
Steve Moore - Wurli, Trombone, Toys
Joe Doria - Hammond Organ

Chris Berry & Panjea
Chris Berry - Mbira, Djembe, Lead Vocals
Shay Berry - Dance, Choreography, Backup Vocals
Memy Dine - Dance, Backup Vocals
Mamadou Ba - Electric Bass
Patrice Blanchard - Electric Bass
Chris Cuzme - Tenor Sax, Backup Vocals
Zivanai Masango - Guitar, Backup Vocals
Ben Sands - Djembe
Dan Sears - Trumpet, Keys, Backup Vocals
Harvey Wirht - Drums