Eufurorquestra: Afro Caribbean barnyard funk

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Jackson Hole, Wyo. - Take a dose of euphoria and expose it to an orchestra boasting world flare and what do you get? Euforquestra (yoo • FOHR • keh • struh) —a seven-piece ensemble that spreads the cultural sounds of Afro-Cuban, Afrobeat, samba, soca, dub and reggae. The philosophy of less-is-more through group unity, and a dedication to preserving cultural traditions that exist outside of the American box, the band understands the rhythmic necessity that enables a community of individuals to function at their utmost potential.“The whole approach to playing Afro-centric music in big groups is based around individuals with simple parts, but when you put them together, it’s complex,” said percussionist/vocalist Matt Grundstad.Fort Collins-based Euforquestra formed while attending the University of Iowa, which played an influential role in its music study and the initial five years of the band’s career. Grundstad and bassist Adam Grosso traveled to Cuba to study the music, but it was their formal education that planted the seed that would become the concoction of “Afro-Caribbean-barnyard-funk.”“It’s the only university that has an Afro-Cuban folklore group that combines drumming, dancing and singing,” Grundstad said. “That gave us a great foundation and Iowa City has a good music scene. There were a lot of jam sessions there and bands looked at each other as community not competition.”Bringing to mind the big stage sound of Fela Kuti with American voicings, Euforquestra has been playing the Teton area since 2008. The horn and percussion-fueled band has matured through three full-length albums as well as playing festival stages like Wakarusa, moe. Summer Camp, and even its own Euforia fest, which celebrated its 8th annual gathering last summer. The Euforquestra discography includes 2009 release, Soup, which can be downloaded in its entirety for free at Euforquestra.com, and has been downloaded over 10,000 times.“The music appeals to a wide range of people because its entertaining on many levels,” Grundstad said. “There’s the dancing aspect but also the historical and cultural aspects.”Euforquestra is coming off of a funk-fueled New Year’s Eve show with The Motet at the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, in which the bands collaborated throughout the night. From what I’ve seen, this is a band that just keeps getting better. Averaging more than 150 shows a year will do that. Dance is the key word here, with crisp improvisation, punchy horns, and a consistent underbelly of rhythmic complexity that approaches tribal, yet releasing to the heavy cream of funk.This concert will be one of a trio of final shows for What’s Good Here? Productions. Founded by Neil Albert and Matt Donovan, the duo started hosting a concert series in their front yard in 2009, which spread like wildfire and revamped a lull for bringing indie music to town—often in unlikely venues. The effort introduced some great bands to Jackson and Teton Valley, including Paper Bird, Pert Near Sandstone, The Dovekins, Trampled by Turtles and many others.Donovan, also a bassist for Random Canyon Growlers, is now a talent buyer and promoter for Poppa Presents at the Pink Garter Theater. As for Albert, he continues to deejay his Live Phish show, 6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, on KHOL, 89.1 FM. Now, go cut a rug!What’s Good Here? Productions presents Euforquestra, 9:30 p.m., Monday, at Town Square Tavern. Admission is $10. 733-3886. More information at WhatsGoodHereProductions.com. tags: jackson hole show music musician live band singer songwriter nightlife concerts wyoming center arts photographer planet teton venues screen door porch boondocks guitar