Kneebody

In their almost two-decade history, the Grammy-nominated band Kneebody has created a genre and style all its own. Their sound is an explosive blend of rock energy and high-level, nuanced chamber ensemble playing, set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that balance adventurous, no-holds-barred improvisation. Their music defies classification, drawing from influences that include 1960s free-bop, 1970s jazz rock, 1990s hip-hop, and post-millennial indie rock, all infused with a classical post-minimalist sensibility. Their collaborators have included such musical thinkers as Theo Bleckmann, Daedelus, Becca Stevens, Gretchen Parlato, Gerald Clayton, and Josh Dion. The band’s highly anticipated new album, Reach, is the latest in its reimagined quartet guise, featuring keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel, and the uniquely dynamic Nate Wood, who simultaneously handles both bass and drums. Reach exemplifies Kneebody’s continued evolution, pushing the boundaries of genre while delivering their signature blend of intricate composition and raw energy.