Jazz Punks

"My new favorite, JazzPunks, just hit the LA jazz scene with a combination of be-bop dexterity and punkish musical antics. Hugh Elliott (Angela Bofill, Herbie Hancock, Phyllis Hyman, Grover Washington, Phoebe Snow) and Danny Kastner arrived in 2006, after 20 yrs. in the New York City music scene. Then accidentally, they showed up to a party at the home of veteran Santa Monica Symphony bassist Mike Polcino where a spontaneous jazz-fest rocked the joint in a special way. Hugh and Mike remembered the jam session and grabbed his kin, Sal Polcino (Tower Rhythm Section, Rocco Prestia) to join in a new, weekly jazz-jam venture. Last but not least, Robby Elfman, one of LA's hottest saxophonists joined the boys after numerous cold calls and bribes. The fellers have created such 'new standards' as "Foleo", a sick hybrid of "Foxy Lady" and "Oleo", as well as "Don't Come Close", a somewhat askew tribute to the Carpenter's 'Close to You'. Et cetera. Thus, we have JazzPunks - the respectfully irreverent jazz quintet blowin' up on the LA scene in two double oh eight."

- Martin Gersh, The JB - Martin Gersh, The JB

“Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world.” —Ahmad Alaadeen

““A guy walks up to me and asks ‘What’s Punk?’. So I kick over a garbage can and say ‘That’s punk!’. So he kicks over a garbage can and says ‘That’s Punk?’, and I say ‘No that’s trendy!” – Billie Joe Armstrong

I could wax poetic about the sorry lack of jazz in a town like Los Angeles that used to feature Dizz Gillespie and John Coltrane blowing horns at the Roosevelt or how I grew up listening to jazz at a pool hall in Toronto to which I would trek out through the snow at 11pm but no one really gives a shit, which I guess is the point.

So proudly, I present to ye heathens a posse of rogues keeping the torch lit for one of the most alternative forms of popular music to ever come out of America and they are even doing that with attitude. Here is a rundown on Jazz Punks:

MZ: What?
Our musical backgrounds are diversely-styled – a solid blend of both East and West coast mentalities. At the root of it, Jazz Punks strives to serve up classic jazz styles in an electrifying, unique manner – that appeals to the jazz layman as much as the jazz aficionado. We often meld these classic jazz styles with deep undercurrents of classic rock – from Hendrix to Nirvana to Zeppelin to Clash: classic jazz, uniquely interpreted and arranged into a more widely accessible and widely embraceable style. No 8 min., self-absorbed solos. No charts. And mere replication and imitation is verboten.

We each agree there is a significant place for classic jazz, of course – we love it, and are deeply influenced by it. But, Jazz Punks fans should never leave a show feeling like they’ve visited a museum – a “club where time stood still”. We want listeners of all ages, backgrounds and tastes to share what WE feel as we play – that something unique, exciting, and challenging is happening here.

MZ: Why?
Jazz Punks’ seeks to reintroduce the pure, organic nature of music back to the masses – Punking jazz – while preserving due respect for the original magic of the swing, the tunes, and the artist.

MZ: Until When?
The cows come home.

http://musiczeitgeist.com/artist-profile-jazz-punks-aint-quite-jazz-and-they-aint-quite-punk-but-they-might-just-bring-the-roof-down/ - Music Zeitgeist

Los Angeles-based neo-Jazz outfit Jazz Punks sound a bit like a super group. Drummer Hugh Elliott has played such luminaries as Angela Bofill, Herbie Hancock, Grover Washington, Joan Osborne, Robert Lamm and Laura Branigan. Guitarist Sal Polcino is an alumnus of Tower Of Power Rhythm Section. Bass man Mike Polcino is a longtime symphony and jazz musician who has toured with members of Fishbone and also serves as a director on Fox' The Simpsons. Pianist Danny Kastner is an award-winning composer who owns his own media company and had the pleasure of being fired by Donald Trump on The Apprentice. Saxaphone player Robby Elfman is a session player in LA when not composing music for television and film. Together, this talented bunch travels and play under the name Jazz Punks, and have released a self-titled EP.

Jazz Punks opens with Led Gillespie, an occasionally muddy but generally workable mash up of Dizzy Gillespie and Led Zeppelin. The marriage is a rocky one but entertaining. Another Hue is highly inventive and melodic jazz, featuring some sweet guitar work from Sal Polcino. Polcino carries over his sweet sound into Heavy Footprints, with some wild piano work from Danny Kastner, but it’s the rhythm section that makes this one tick. Hugh Elliott (drums) is a rock, and Mike Polcino's plaintive, nearly haunting bass line is the soul of the song. The combination of The Beatles and Miles Davis is quite unique and works very well. Four finds Jazz Punks in full swing on the sort of classic fare that's filled supper clubs for generations. Jazz Punks close with I Can See Miles, a hybrid of Miles Davis and The Who that's intriguing. Running out over eight-and-a-half minutes, Jazz Punks dissect and bisect Davis and The Who in ways both coldly logical and serene.

Jazz Punks take listener expectations and turn them on their collective ears. Not out to kowtow to tradition, but rather intent on marrying sometimes disparate arts and artists, Jazz Punks take risks on a big scale. When they don't work out it's almost expected; when they do the songs seems like brilliant surprises. The creation here isn't so much about making something new, but helping you hear songs you might already know intimately in new and exciting ways. This is one mark of a seasoned musician/entertainer. Jazz Punks come highly recommended, particularly if you can see them live on stage. The Jazz Punks EP is a great introduction!

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-jazz-punks-jazz-punks.html - Wildy's World

5.0 out of 5 stars: Jazz Punks are totally rockin! Amazing Jazz!, October 24, 2009

By Motivation Guy - I saw the Jazz Punks at the M Bar and became an immediate fan! Their entire sound is unique with crazy mashups of rock and jazz tunes. You've got to check them out. The players are total cats as well. - amazon.com

5.0 out of 5 stars

By R. D. Miller - When I played this CD for the first time, I was totally blown away by the fantastic melding of two of my generation's favorite musical styles; Classic Rock and Classic Jazz. Layering some of the most influential jazz tunes perfectly within, over and under great rock classics is a stroke of genius. How about combining Wayne Shorter and the Beatles, or mixing Led Zeppelin with Dizzy Gillespie? This intriguing idea is carried off flawlessly by the virtuosity of saxman Robby Elfman, pianist Danny Kastner, guitarist Sal Polcino, drummer Hugh Elliott and bassist Mike Polcino. Those who live in Southern California are indeed fortunate to be able to see and hear this group in person. For the rest of us, we have their debut CD "Jazz Punks". Look out, the future of jazz is here! - amazon.com