FATTBURGER T.G.I.F.

This past March at the 2nd Annual Smooth Jazz Awards in Chicago, Fattburger joined a select group in receiving a nomination for Band of the Year. The San Diego based unit was up against The Rippingtons, Fourplay, Spyro Gyra and Urban Knights, an honor which reflected its unique legacy as one of contemporary jazz's most enduring and popular ensembles. The five members of the group: keyboardist Carl Evans Jr., guitarist Evan Marks, bassist Mark Hunter, drummer Kevin Koch and percussionist Tommy Aros--are in the unique position of being elder statesmen of the genre whose music they laid the foundation for while remaining a vital and cutting edge creative force themselves.

Fattburger's fifth Shanachie release T.G.I.F. (as in, Thank God It's Fattburger) blends their trademark cool 'Sound of San Diego' with more aggressive, in-your-face funk elements, a touch of blues, exciting Latin and Brazilian influences, and even a Tower of Power type of brass energy on the closing track '2 Fatt'. Evans is excited that, after all these years, the band continues to find fresh and exciting new ways to keep at the top of their game.

"This is probably our most collaborative effort to date, and it features more songs and production by Mark Hunter and Kevin Koch than ever before," says Evans. "Each time out, it's important to give each member a chance to shine. In the past, I usually have done the majority of the writing and producing, and it's great to grow beyond this. We really strive to balance each album stylistically, to come up with unique grooves and draw upon influences we never tapped into before".

One of the most exciting highlights of T.G.I.F. is a sizzling cover of the old Santana tune "Evil Ways". Fattburger had tremendous success a few albums back with their twist on "Oye Como Va,Ó and would gravitate towards "Evil WaysÓ while doing the other tune in live performances. "It seemed like a natural extension to us,Ó says Evans. Other tracks on the new recording include Koch's "Mum's the Word,Ó a spirited mid-tempo gem dedicated to the drummer's mother; Evans' Southwestern-flavored "Santa Fe,Ó a soft funk tune which blends Spanish and Native American influences; the energetic bossa nova of "Heaven", written by Marks with San Diego keyboardist Rob Whitlock; and the Southern styled, bluesy Hunter/Marks tune "Down Home.Ó

Only in the past few years has Evans become aware of Fattburger's special influence on an entire new generation of instrumental musicians. "I was at a radio convention and Brian Culbertson, who was 24 at the time, came up to me and told me he had every one of our albums and how much our music inspired him. I understand the importance of legacy and I see how music evolves. Passing the torch down is very exciting.Ó

Each member of Fattburger brought a powerful resume filled with musical diversity to the band when it first formed in the mid-80s. Evans has backed Barry White, Stevie Wonder and Cannonball Adder ly; Koch with Herbie Mann and Dave Valentin; Hunter with be-bop greats Clark Terry and Eddie Harris; and Aros with Freddie Hubbard, Al Di Miola and Trini Lopez. Marks joined the band upon the departure of original lead guitarist Steve Laury in the early 90s. The band has always been associated with San Diego (a city some consider the most influential bastion of contemporary jazz), where it debuted once upon a time at the Triton Club and where each member of Fattburger lives. But Aros is the only true native. Evans is originally from Portsmouth, VA; Koch is from Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Hunter is from Detroit and Marks is from Cleveland.

Fattburger's recordings -- all charting big at radio and rising high on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz charts -- include One of a Kind (1986, later re-issued on SinDrome in 1993); their breakthrough Good News (1987); Living in Paradise (a nod to their life in San Diego, 1988); Time Will Tell (1989); Come and Get It (1990); On a Roll (1993); Living Large (their Shanachie debut, 1995); All Natural Ingredients (1996); and Sugar (1998). Manhattan Records also released a Best of Fattburger compilation in 1992.

Several members of Fattburger keep themselves busy with unique outside writing and production projects. Evans lately produced a popular young San Diego soul singer named Roosevelt Carter, and is currently shopping a deal. In addition, the keyboardist will soon launch a radio show on KSDS, the San Diego State University radio station; the program will be geared around connecting modern contemporary jazz with its straight ahead jazz influences. Evan Marks produces demos for many of San Diego's best up and coming artists, and Tommy Aros is part of the recording and live performances of Brasilia, a Brazilian project featuring an all-star lineup of the city's top musicians.

Evans is always very inspired, however, by each member's commitment to the group. "I have to say, I'm most proud of the fact that we've stayed together and that no matter what's come up, we're always looking out for each other, keeping our friendship and the joy of music ahead of all other concerns,Ó he says. "It's been a pleasure having the opportunity to touch our fans through music, and to leave a nice little musical legacy which will hopefully outlive us".

May 2001

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