This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 25, 2013: When it comes to delivering irresistible, non-stop funk that gets audiences up out of their seats and shaking it on the dance floor, few bands are better than FatPocket. Founded in 2004 as a six-piece group with a mutual love of finding that magical groove where R&B, blues and jazz come together, FatPocket has grown into a nine-piece ensemble that has plenty of instrumental firepower – and soulful vocals to match.
The band made its name playing wherever it could to get the FatPocket name out there. The group gradually developed a solid and devoted following in the St. Louis area, as well as in Cape Girardeau and other college towns in Missouri.
After expanding the band by beefing up the horn section that features trumpet, trombone and two saxophones, FatPocket upped the energy level yet again with the addition of vocalist Coco Soul earlier this year.
Recently, the newly formatted version of FatPocket traveled to Las Vegas for a showcase performance at annual Conference of the Association of Entertainment Professionals Worldwide.
You can catch the band a lot closer to home this Thursday, June 27, when FatPocket will be featured at Grace Hill's Whitaker Urban Evening Series. Here’s some more background on the band – provided by sax player Jason “Jaybird” Hanson.
HOME: FatPocket is from St. Louis
AGE: The band has been around for nine years.
INSTRUMENTS: Coco Soul - lead vocals, Mike Curtis - guitar, vocals, Ryan Murray – bass, Kevin Williams- drums, Charlie Brown- keyboards, Chris Wilson- baritone sax, Dave Winton- trombone, Jeff Simpher- trumpet, and me - Jason Hansen- on saxophone and vocals.
HOBBIES: Music is our only hobby. We love and live the art form.
LAST CONCERT: The last concert I went to was a long time ago. You see, being in a band does not really permit you to see other band's shows because we all work at the same time. When we are off, we spend that time with our families.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Our latest accomplishment was our little tour to play Las Vegas. We had a blast playing there and look forward to going back.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: This project started basically because we just wanted to have fun doing what we love and to show how music can truly be alive. We do not use tracks so if you hear a mistake it’s because we made one. It’s as real and raw as it can be. If we can’t physically play it, then we learn to. We want to give the audience everything they deserve.
QUOTE: "Ain’t No Half Steppin’." Heat Wave~
For more info on FatPocket, and the band’s upcoming performance schedule, go to the group’s Facebook page:
Grace Hill’s Whitaker Urban Evening Series
More concerts
Every Thursday Evening from mid-June through July 19, Grace Hill Settlement House. Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers Inc. and the Whitaker Foundation combine to produce a concert series at St. Louis Place Park at Rauschenbach and St. Louis avenues, 2120 St. Louis Ave. 63106).
The music runs from 7-9 pm at the park, food and beverages are available, and there’s entertainment for kids that ranges from face painters and balloon sculptors to the chance to create art at the Imagination Station.
Children’s activities close at 8:30, and lawn chairs or blankets are recommended.