Founded in 2002, the 17-piece MK Groove Orchestra has been sliding out smooth jazz, raunchy funk and pure sonic chaos not unlike an abstract painting, all the while receiving endless acclaim for it. Their self-released 2006 CD Greatest Hits offers a taste of what the band is known for in their live performances, including“10-20-03,” a classic jazz piece; “Shady Blues,” which combines a solid groove with jazz flute, soaring brass and blues guitar; and “Trifecta Prelude,” with its bouncing horns mimicking the drum beat of the jazz-rock fusion tune that follows, “Trifecta.” Band leader and Syracuse native Michael Kammers lists jazz improvisation legend Sun Ra as a major influence, and the Ra touch is apparent during the orchestra’s tracks “Homebase” and “Two Women.”
The group’s side project, The Suite Unraveling, performs at Al’s Wine and Whiskey Bar, 321 S. Clinton St., on Wednesday, May 25, 9:30 p.m. For more, visit www.mkmkmk.com.
—Andrew Daull
