Local jazz-funk band Ubergrub performed at Jordan Landing on September 5th. It was a fun night with great music. Ubergruff brings Salt Lake City to life with jazz, funky, and Latin spice music.
According to the group, the name is what it means. Uber (the best, the best, the most extreme) and Gruv (groovy music that induces spontaneous physical movements such as finger-snapping, toe-tapping, hand-clapping, and head-bobbing).
Ubergruff has been dating for 15 months. Each member of the band has a long and experienced musical history.
Band members have a variety of musical talents. The versatile Kevin Flynn is an instrumentalist who plays soprano, tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones, as well as flute, harmonica, and various percussion instruments. Flynn recently performed with The Fabulous Flinstones and his jazz quartet, Svengali.
“We like to play pieces with strong melodies and add our own improvisations on the fly, which are basically spontaneous compositions. By doing this, each soloist tells a story, and sometimes It can lead to amazing emotional peaks and elation,” Flynn said.
Troy Horton plays guitar and bass. Troy graduated from the University of Utah in 1999 with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance. He played with local bands Sound Garden, Ultra Chill, and Hectic Hobo. He recently played with the Flinstones. He loves all styles of music, but especially jazz and funk.
Dean Athens is from Utah. He plays bass in a variety of styles and has performed with several local artists. He enjoys touching the hearts of his listeners by entertaining them and inspiring them.
Tom Sharlow has been involved in music all his life. Tom has been performing in Utah since 1977. Tom performs with Remarkable Lucid and the Golden Voices Gospel Ensemble. He has played in Park City’s house bands, the Cicero’s of Park City and the Powder and Slick Rock Gypsies. He recently performed with the Fabulous Flinstones. Sharlow is excited to play drums in Ubergruff.
“Ubergurf loves being a part of Salt Lake’s local music scene, and they appreciate having access to a beautiful outdoor venue,” Sharlow said.
Jeff Pickett is from Utah. He has been playing piano professionally since he was 15 years old. He likes playing in groups because the musicians can have conversations while playing music together. His music has a little bit of everything. He especially loves jazz, classical Spanish flamenco, and Brazilian music. Pickett was able to perform with top jazz musicians such as Mumbo Jumbo, the Woody James Quartet, Earl and the Apostles, Rumba Libre, and the great jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. .
Ubergruff performs at Excellence in the Community Concerts and the Gallivan Event Center, delivering music that has audiences dancing, toe-tapping, and clapping.
For more information about this jazzy funk band, visit ubergruv.com. λ