Soko
Encyclopedia
Sokoband, formerly known as Soko, is a jazz fusion
duo, featuring pianist
Michael Sokolowski and bassist
Houston Ross. The group formed as a trio in Charlottesville, Virginia
in 1991, with Sokolowski, Ross, and drummer
John Gilmore. The group performed live for several years, then released their first studio album
, In November Sunlight
, in 1996. The album received notably high record sales for an instrumental album, mainly due to its guest appearance by members of the Dave Matthews Band
—Dave Matthews
, LeRoi Moore
, and Tim Reynolds
.
In 1997, Gilmore left the group, however Sokolowski and Ross remained close and continued performing together. The duo began working on their second album, Two
, in 2000, which featured writing, arranging, and singing contributions by Ross, whereas the previous album primarily contributions strictly from Sokolowski. The album took almost five years to complete, and was not released until 2005, however the album featured many more guest performers than the previous album, including former band member John Gilmore.
Due to confusion with other bands of the same name, Soko was renamed to "Sokoband" in 2010.
On March 9, 2010, Sokoband released a self-titled album, Sokoband, which contains all eight tracks from In November Sunlight
, as well as two additional tracks, entitled "And Yet Your Smile" and "Nightfall." The band was not happy with the musical execution or production of the 1996 release, and wanted to present more definitive realizations of the compositions. Drummer on the project is Nir Z. Dave Matthews
, Tim Reynolds
, and LeRoi Moore
appear again, along with Steve Kimock
(guitars), Mike Colley (guitars), David Cast (saxophones), John Zias (guitars), David Darling
(cello), and others.
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
duo, featuring pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Michael Sokolowski and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Houston Ross. The group formed as a trio in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
in 1991, with Sokolowski, Ross, and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
John Gilmore. The group performed live for several years, then released their first studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, In November Sunlight
In November Sunlight
In November Sunlight is the debut album by the instrumental band Soko, released on December 17, 1996. This is the only album featuring John Gilmore as a member of the band, who left the band after the album, turning Soko into a duet, although did perform as a guest on the following album...
, in 1996. The album received notably high record sales for an instrumental album, mainly due to its guest appearance by members of the Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
—Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
, LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
, and Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
.
In 1997, Gilmore left the group, however Sokolowski and Ross remained close and continued performing together. The duo began working on their second album, Two
Two (Soko album)
Two is the second album by Charlottesville, Virginia eclectic duo, Soko, released in 2005, almost ten years after their debut album, In November Sunlight, released in 1996. Soko was formerly a trio until drummer, John Gilmore, who appeared on the first album, left the band. Gilmore appears as a...
, in 2000, which featured writing, arranging, and singing contributions by Ross, whereas the previous album primarily contributions strictly from Sokolowski. The album took almost five years to complete, and was not released until 2005, however the album featured many more guest performers than the previous album, including former band member John Gilmore.
Due to confusion with other bands of the same name, Soko was renamed to "Sokoband" in 2010.
On March 9, 2010, Sokoband released a self-titled album, Sokoband, which contains all eight tracks from In November Sunlight
In November Sunlight
In November Sunlight is the debut album by the instrumental band Soko, released on December 17, 1996. This is the only album featuring John Gilmore as a member of the band, who left the band after the album, turning Soko into a duet, although did perform as a guest on the following album...
, as well as two additional tracks, entitled "And Yet Your Smile" and "Nightfall." The band was not happy with the musical execution or production of the 1996 release, and wanted to present more definitive realizations of the compositions. Drummer on the project is Nir Z. Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
, Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
, and LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
appear again, along with Steve Kimock
Steve Kimock
-External links:** at the Internet Archive's live music archive* at the Internet Archive's live music archive* at Internet Archive's live music archive*, San Francisco, April 3, 1999*, Unofficial Fan Forum...
(guitars), Mike Colley (guitars), David Cast (saxophones), John Zias (guitars), David Darling
David Darling (musician)
David Darling is an American cellist and composer. He won the Grammy award for Best New Age Album in 2010. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Spyro Gyra in addition to putting out several solo and small ensemble albums as well as albums of his...
(cello), and others.
Discography
- In November SunlightIn November SunlightIn November Sunlight is the debut album by the instrumental band Soko, released on December 17, 1996. This is the only album featuring John Gilmore as a member of the band, who left the band after the album, turning Soko into a duet, although did perform as a guest on the following album...
(1996) - TwoTwo (Soko album)Two is the second album by Charlottesville, Virginia eclectic duo, Soko, released in 2005, almost ten years after their debut album, In November Sunlight, released in 1996. Soko was formerly a trio until drummer, John Gilmore, who appeared on the first album, left the band. Gilmore appears as a...
(2000) - Sokoband (2010)