Happy Apple - Tuesday 01.22.2008
w/ Jeff Parker [Tortoise], Worst Pop Band Ever
Happy Apple has an edgy appeal, fueled by its elastic sense of rhythm and dynamics. The band can groove hard for extended stretches, playing with the singlemindedness of a rock group, or sit in one place, working a freetime idea just as comfortably. Jazz group. Saxophones, bass, drums. Formed in 1996 in Minneapolis, MN. Named after a Fisher-Price toy from the '60s. Have released six studio albums to date, as well as a limited-edition 3-disc live set. Have appeared in bars, theaters, jazz clubs, rock clubs, school auditoriums, cafeterias, bakeries, museums, mini-marts, hockey venues, airport lounges and correctional facilities. The band is led by drummer extraordinaire David King, who currently plays in The Bad Plus. Erik Fratzke, who loves metal, is on Fender bass. Michael Lewis rounds the trio out, playing soprano, alto and tenor saxophones along with a bunch of little keyboards and pedals. They take John Coltrane's fire, Jaco Pastorius' low note gymnastics and P-Funk's penchant for a whacked-out good time, and throw it all in a blender... and the concoction is intoxicating.

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Band Information
Happy Apple
Michael Lewis — saxophones, keyboards, upright bass
Erik Fratzke — electric bass, guitar
David King — drums, toys