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Nutty (band)

Nutty is a hard-swingin' jazz octet that weaves intricate interpretations of pop and rock classics onto a jazz canvas, using straight-ahead jazz, big band swing, crime/spy jazz, Latin, bebop and classic film and TV themes as the soundtrack.

Irreverent humor, sass and spontaneity are what make a Nutty performance engaging and fun, and the sharp-dress code of dark suits, pocket squares and skinny ties adds to their retro presentation. It's an attitude and a sound they've branded Jetsetter Jazz. And it's so much more than, simply, "jazzy versions of classic rock hits."

Briefly known as Chase Lounge and the Lazy Boys, the band began as a loose jump blues group featuring guitar, bass, drums and vocal. Actor/singer Sonny Moon (Joel Hile) had been lured in at its inception under the condition that all he had to do was walk up to the mic and sing. He soon took the reigns, however, adopted the moniker Chase Lounge, named the band the Lazy Boys and veered their sound toward lounge/jazz versions of classic rock songs. When bassist Guy Wonder (Mike Werner) joined the quartet, Sonny found a like-minded co- conspirator (and a guy who could actually read and write charts). It was with this partnership that the band became nutty...and so became Nutty.

Along with the lounge style and sense of humor, it was imperative that the music have integrity. Both Moon and Wonder had grown up on classic rock, and both shared an affinity for the jazz of the 50s and 60s and the big band sound of the 40s. The idea of mixing these sounds together provided an enticing challenge. Nutty went through several iterations, building a roster of So Cal jazz pros for their recording projects and live shows along the way. Instrumentation changed as the lineup continued to evolve and the charts and the gigs improved. A trumpet and tenor sax were first added. Then guitar was replaced by vibrophone. There was a trombone for a month or two, then that was gone. The vibes were then replaced by a baritone sax in order to round out a three-horned brass punch. Both sax players would also double on flute. Then came percussion to add to the Latin sounds and the beatnik vibe.

The current lineup, as pictured above, is the Nutty A-Team. Solid players and gifted improvisers, the gentlemen of Nutty take you on a strange trip inside a musical time machine. Rock and roll puts on a new face, like a painting in mascara.

Now that retro culture has influenced film and TV audiences and Mid-Century styles and architecture are the essence of hipster chic, there's never been a better time to delve into the world of Nutty. Call it Jetsetter Jazz. It's one helluva sonic cocktail. Drink responsively.

The cats are Nutty: Sonny Moon - Voice Guy Wonder - Bass Dan Spector - Keys Edmund Velasco - Tenor/Alto Sax, Flute Mike Reznick - Baritone Sax, Flute Brian Beukelman - Trumpet Nate Douglas - Drums Erik Leckrone - Percussion

All songs arranged by Joel Hile (Sonny Moon) and Mike Werner (Guy Wonder).