Music
Press
“…[Stu] Crairs’ impenetrable rhythm section is no joke…Orooni’s rhythm corner makes the Pumas pound the pavement.” – Joseph Shipley, The Scene - The Scene Magazine
“the two are kept in balance with drummer/percussionist Stu Crair, who provides the steady rhythms.” – Glide Magazine CD Review of ‘Sens – Glide’ - Glide Magazine (CD Review)
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
'The Grip' is an old British slang meaning sickness, and this illness' symptoms are making people boogie.
Exploding onto the Colorado music scene in 2007, The Grip is an organ trio fusing funk, jazz, neo-soul, and blues into one original mix of tunes. Infectious grooves, talented players, and a blend of classic and modern sounds comprise the sound of The Grip. Their music is always groovy and full of funk to dance to, but also keeps a close tie to jazz and blues intellectual roots.
The Grip is made up of two accomplished Fort Collins musicians and one sensational newcomer. Charlie Humphreys (guitar) formerly played with blues rock favorites ‘Holy Moses and the High Rollers’ and recorded an album to high acclaim. Stu Crair (drums) toured nationally with the highly respected progressive-rock band ‘Orooni’, as well as forming ‘the Hugh: Jazz Combo’ which continues to play in a weekly jazz residency in Fort Collins. Newcomer Walter Hannah (Hammond organ, keyboards, bass keys) came to the band via Portland where he recorded with The Parallel Trio and pushes the sound of The Grip by playing with his unique style and phrasing.
The members of the Grip have played over 500 shows collectively, including major music festivals like Wakarusa and 10,000 Lakes Festival. In addition, the members of the band have been on national tours from Vermont to Washington State and everywhere in between.
Their musical influences range from Mike Stern to Stevie Wonder; from Booker T and the MG’s to Frank Zappa. The Grip has shared the stage with jazz and funk heavyweights such as Soulive, The New Mastersounds, Lettuce, Bustle in Your Hedgerow (featuring the Benevento/Russo Duo and Dave Driewitz of Ween), Joey Porter and Dominic Lalli of The Motet, The New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Magic Gravy (featuring members of ALO and The Motet), Garaj Mahal, The Stanton Moore Trio, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Porter Batiste Stoltz, Eric McFadden Trio, The Breakfast and many more.
Already, The Grip was named as the first house band for Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins, and has performed at the world renowned Fox Theatre, the Aggie Theatre, The Goat, 320 South, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Owsley’s Golden Road, and Alto jazz lounge to name a few. Their infectious music will soon be heard all across the Northern Colorado Front Range and beyond with no end in sight for how far the epidemic might spread.
Links
