Chanman Roots Band

JH Weekly's Best of Jackson Hole:
Gold - Best Local CD Release: Chanman Roots Band-New Uprising
Gold - Best Musician: Peter "Chanman" Chandler - JH Weekly

Chanman Roots Band release new CD, record locally. By Sabina Dana Plasse.
The Chanman Roots Band is an all local band, split down the middle with Wyoming and Idaho residents, right down to the recording of their new CD "New Uprising". Band guitarist Greg Creamer recorded and mixed "New Uprising" at his home studio in Driggs. The clean and well- designed recording presents an excellent selection of the band's known and unknown songs, which all embody reggae love and spirit from the mountains.
"It is a residential-based recording studio with pro grade gear" Creamer said of his studio. "Rooms are dedicated for recording and the whole place is wired. I did all the recording and mixing."
Creamer said the main recording took place in November 2010. Several sessions included recording sections of the band separately and then layering the tracks to produce "New Uprising."
The nine-member band is more than just a group of ski buddies. It is a Teton Valley, ID and Jackson, WY collaboration.
"We are people who like living in the mountains," said band founder, vocalist and guitarist Peter "Chanman" Chandler. "We try not to pretend to be from Jamaica."
Chandler came to Jackson, Wyo. in 1978 to ski and lives in Wilson. Other band members include Molly Moon Thorn on vocals, Susan Jaones on Keyboard, David Bundy on bass guitar, Rachel gray Bundy on trumpet and vocals, Powell Miller on trumpet, John Kidwell on trombone and vocals, and Andy Peterson on drums and vocals
"The original concept of the band was to play their favorite reggae cover tunes." Chandler said. "This CD is the first for the group as the band exists now. It's about stuff that happens in our lives."
Songs include "Baldy Dread", a song close to Chandler's heart and soul, "Skis Boots Poles," a classic apres' ski tune, "New Uprising", "Need a Little Love" and other songs, which are a blend of roots reggae and reggae-inspired music, which are all original and great listening.
The band members are individuals who have radical and eclectic tastes as well as a wide variety of diverse musical influences, but all meet together for the Chanman Roots Band.
"We all have a great relationship with each other," said Creamer. "It's been really fun. One of the concepts of the band from the beginning was the need to get along and like each other. We are all friends."
Chandler said Bob Marley is his number one inspiration musically and spiritually. For Chandler, Marley is a spiritual leader and he firmly believes people need to listen to him. Other band influences include Toots and the Maytals, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh as well as some contemporary musicians like Damian Marley and SOJA.
"I write the tunes and everybody writes the music for their individual parts" Chandler said. "It is a completely collaborative effort. I really don't shut down anything-rarely. It's important to keep the message and that the music is good. We also try to stay regional with a five hour drive rule."
The band's musicians are well known in the Jackson and Teton Valley music scene, playing at several live music locations including the apres' ski scene and shows at the Mangy Moose, 43 North, Town Square Tavern, The Trap Bar, The Knotty Pine, and the Silver Dollar Bar at the Wort Hotel where the band will play a halloween concert. They have played festivals in the West including the Maggot Fest in Montana and the Donkey Creek Jazz festival in Wyoming, to name a few.
"New Uprising" is available at Big Hole Music in Driggs, SUBA in Victor, Valley Bookstore in Jackson, Pub Place Convenience Store in South Jackson, and online at www.chanmanrootsband.com,www.cdbaby.com,www.itunes.com,www.rhapsody.com. The band plans to have a Cd Release Party before winter comes.
"The reality is no one moved here to be a musician," Chandler said. "It's the love of the mountains and taking part in the good things in life."
- Valley Citizen September 14, 2011

Mountain roots-reggae. Reggae at the Silver Dollar Bar - it doesn't happen very often. Chanman Roots Band broke into the local scene in 2006, quickly becoming a positive force with the power of it's eight - piece ensemble. A great mountain-tinged original vibe along side reggae classics,..." - JHWeekly

Created from a love of Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Peter Tosh, Chanman Roots Band is all about having a good time. They have opened for bands such as the B-Side Players, JAH Army, and Los Lonely Boys. They're music has also been recorded for the films Sift, Silent, Deep - The story of the Jackson Hole Air Force and Stormshow Studios Trial by Air.The pulsating horns and sweetened vocals have been spreading a message of social consciousness and happy feet for over 3 years. The band can be heard all across Wyoming. - Donkey Creek Jazz Festival event program

Snake river Lodge provides a change of pace. By Ann Vinciguerra

.....On Saturday, in the lobby of the Lodge and Spa in Teton Village, Peter "Papa Chan" Chandler entertained a small crowd of Powder spanked people. The scene was quite different than many other Teton Village apres ski gatherings.....Chandler assumes the alias of Papa Chan for these gigs. On Saturday he entertained the Lodge and Spa Audience with numbers by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and the like. "I have loved this music for a long time" Papa Chan Said. "And always wanted to learn to play it."
......Across the lobby, New Yorkers Janette Diller and Jeffery Stone sat by the fireplace on an overstuffed coach and looked completely at ease.
They were captivated by the scene and by Chandler's performance which they agreed was "amazing". - Jackson Hole News and Guide

By Abbie Beane

Most Jackson Hole residents know Peter Chandler strictly as the Chanman. But the Chanman isn't his only moniker, just as the Chanman Roots band isn't his sole musical gig.
On Friday and Saturday Chandler will be wearing his "Papa Chan" hat in a performance wit the Papa Chan Swing Quartet. The free old time jazz show is set for 7:30 to 11p.m. at the Silver Dollar Bar and Grill in the Wort Hotel.
"I love the great American songbook," Chandler said. We take songs from the 20's, 30's, and 40's that have become jazz standards and put a twist on them, such asa bringing out the vocals. A lot of these songs are still part of American culture, like at weddings or behind car commercials, but people don't know what the words are.
Chandler's favorite composers include Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. Set lists might feature classics like "Route 66", "Sweet Georgia Brown", and "Aint Misbehavin".
Chandler is also working on a cd of jazz originals, some played in old time jazz style with Quartet stand up bassist John Clark, that he plans to release next winter. A few of the songs will make this weekend's set list.
Clark, known as johnny C Note, explains that old time jazz places more emphasis on rhythm and vocals than modern jazz.
The weekend Wort crowd should expect to see old tunes in a new light - a "dance version of dinner music" Chandler said.
"It will vbe music you can move to," He said. "We'll be encouraging people to swing dance in any form. The show itself will be swinging."
Rounding out Papa's Quartet is Andy Peterson on Drums and local musician John Kidwell on trombone. Peterson is also a drummer for the Roots band and the local Tram Jam Saturday music at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort gondola.
It waas some six years ago that Chandler began developing his new reputation as Papa Chan. He started in venues like the Snake River Lodge and Spa lobby and the Alpenhof Lodge in Teton Village as well as retaurants in Idaho falls, Idaho. Clark and Chandler also play each Friday at Teton Pines in wilson, and will entertain the Senior Center of Jackson Hole on April 16. Before they became a duo, Clark and Chandler were friends who shared an affinity for jazz.
"I do this for the love of jazzand for making a living as a musician." Chandler said.
He added that playing in alternative bands beyond Chanman Roots Band provides alternative venues, keeping Chandler "marketable" and doing what he loves on a full time basis.
"Jazz for me is challenging," Clark said. "It's one of the few true American music styles, and in my opinion, a national treasure." - jackson hole news and Guide