Taking a trip to funkland with “Way Way East Bay”
Come one, come all. Come with me to hear the sweet sounds coming straight from funkland. No need for passports, maps or directions, all that we will need for this trek is to follow our ears and the “way” will be revealed before us. So hop onto my magic carpet of musical satisfaction and enjoy the ride as the journey to Funkland begins.
First stop, Logan Utah where we will be fed with the funk feelin’, soul stirrin’, sweet sounds of Way Way East Bay.
Drum roll please…..
Way Way East Bay is a nine-piece horn band that reflects and draws on the energy and sound similar to the many great horn bands of the last four decades such as Tower of Power, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Cold Blood. Way Way East Bay definitely brings to life the East Bay funk feeling and sound that originated in the bay area of San Francisco and Oakland in the early 60’s, while at the same time giving it a 21st century flare. Every jam session and performance produces a sound and feeling that is captured in their name.
The band consists of the talented Maureen Killila (vocals), Hal Briggs (trumpet), Greg Wheele (saxophones), Roger Karren (trombone), Jon Gudmundson (saxophone), Ryan Conger (keyboard), Brad White (guitar), Jim Schaub (bass and vocals) and Cliff Smith (drums and harp). Each one of the band members are professionals, not just with their respective instruments, but each one has also become very well versed in music and groove theory. For those of you who don’t know, music theory is knowing the ins and outs of musical composition, while “groove theory” is knowing how to “make that music groove.”
Many of the musicians in Way Way East Bay, in addition to their roles in the band, also teach music as personal instructors, junior high and high school band directors, or, as in the case of Jon Gudmundson, as head of the USU jazz program.
After you hear the level of talent that is in the band, it is no shock that Way Way East Bay has already played all of the major festivals throughout Utah, with plans to perform in surrounding states. The venues they have already played include everything from municipal New Year’s Eve celebrations to the “Cheetah Cha Cha” at the Hoogle Zoo, to wedding parties – and everything in between. As Briggs said, “The strength of the band comes from the overall musicianship of the band. We love to rehearse and we love to play.”
This love for practice and caliber of musicianship is made manifest in their ability to perform.
Each musician in the band has a common love of music, and their common goals mixed with similar desires make their great harmony – a harmony that is essential for any band if they want to keep on going. “Being in a band is like marriage: you spend a lot of time together, if there is not good harmony between the band members, it won’t work out,” Gudmundson said.
Way Way East Bay has successfully combined musicianship, love for music and good harmony between members and it’s these attributes that create a punch from the horns, a drive from the rhythm section and a passion and soul from the vocalists that is simply amazing.
Where is Funkland? It is right here in Logan Utah. Be amazed as you bounce to the beat of Way Way East Bay.
But, in the words of LeVar Burton, don’t take my word for it, check them out at www.waywayeastbay.com. They will also be playing on Oct 1 at the Cache Valley Farmers Market, Oct. 6 at a tailgate party and Oct. 11 at the Caine School of the Arts grand opening.
Joshua Law, a sophomore majoring in international studies, can be reached at jlaw@cc.usu.edu