Members of fusion quintet Nth Power have toured with Beyonce, Chaka Khan, Maceo Parker, Big Daddy Kane.
Fresh from Nola’s Jazz Fest, 9th Power, which lit up the Jackson stage during Contour Fest last summer, returns to the valley Tuesday.
JACKSON HOLE, WY – There’s a keen sense of timing when it comes to piecing together the magic that happens within the tight grooves of The Nth Power. It’s moody, powerful and brings to mind the elements that made Weather Report’s jazz-fusion so hypnotic. Yet the contemporary approach melts well with the soul of Marvin Gaye and the impact of The Roots. Add some seriously heavy dance grooves spanning R&B, rock, gospel, and World Beat, and you have a five-piece that spells much of what cannot be explained without seeing them live. Perhaps you remember them from Contour Music Festival last June?
The formula starts with heavy-hitting drummer Nikki Glaspie (Dumpstaphunk, Beyonce), compounded by ultra melodic bassist/vocalist Nate Edgar (John Brown’s Body), guitarist Nick Cassarino (Jennifer Hartswick Band, Big Daddy Kane), West African djembe master Weedie Braimah (Toubab Krewe, Kreative Pandemonium), newest member, keyboardist/vocalist Courtney “Jay-Mel” Smith. Smith came on board in spring of 2015 to replace Nigel Hall (Lettuce, Warren Haynes Band), and...