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Years Active: 1998 (1998)–present
Genre:funk, jazz
138.7KScrobbles
17.1KListeners

Using the rich musical landscapes of Boulder and Denver Colorado as their muse, The Motet has mastered the delicate task of constantly reinventing their sound while staying true to their various roots.

Founded in 1998 by Dave Watts, The Motet has become one of the best improvisational bands touring . Their ability to seamlessly fuse elements of afro-beat, electronica, funk, and jazz has led to a sound that defies categorization.

The Motet is a world-class ensemble that whips audiences into a whirling frenzy using sheer impromptu force. With their spontaneous and textured rhythms and hard-driving beats, the band creates a repertoire between themselves and the audiences that is rarely seen in today's manufactured rock.

The Motet consecrates the ground on which dance music meets free-form improvisation, allowing a diverse audience to become immersed in their eclectic sound. "Our tendency to avoid being pigeon-holed is a reflection of who we are as musicians," said Watts.

"We try to be open-minded about how we approach different genres and traditions." With its 6th release, Dig Deep, The Motet once again proves that it is a groupcommitted to exploring and pushing the sonic envelope, while still remaining committedto the musical traditions that have defined their sound.

A heavy-horned afrobeatinfluence countered with a textural blanket of electronica, this album showcases thetalents and strengths of the cast of characters that drummer and producer Dave Watts hasassembled.

Keyboardist Joey Porter lays down the funk under the coursing melodies ofsaxophonist Dominic Lalli in pure Motet fashion, with the ever-driving beats of Watts’masterful rhythmic production pushing the music through sonic peaks and valleys thattantalize and invigorate listeners.

If you’ve loved The Motet for years or are just tuningin, listen up. You won’t be disappointed.The Motet is known for its revolving musicians and a breadth of musical influences,and Dig Deep plays to the strengths of many former and current members.

BassistsGarrett Sayers and Paul McDaniel both shine brilliantly on Dig Deep, adding the sonicdrive that is characteristic of The Motet’s sound, which has steadily morphed and evolvedover the last ten years.

Sayers’ bass solo on ‘Guru’ is a perfect example of his technicalvirtuosity, and with this, Watts as a producer has captured a quintessential Motetmoment. The title track ‘Dig Deep’ showcases another side of The Motet low-end,heavy-bass sound, with McDaniel laying down raw grooves in an open section that ispeppered with Watts’ sonic explorations.

Longtime fans of The Motet will be happy to hear Jans Ingber’s voice on ‘Push,’ atrack that was born from an improvisational moment during the band’s New Years 2009show. Last featured on The Motet’s 2000 release Play, Beth Quist’s soaring vocals arehighlighted on the Fela Kuti track ‘Kalakuta Show’ and the tune ‘The Luxury of Doubt,’a collaborative effort with Watts.

Throughout Dig Deep, percussionist ScottMessersmith adds his signature textural rhythms, anchoring the evolutionary sound of theband in its Afro-Cuban and West African roots. His contributions are particularly salientin the afrobeat tunes ‘Mighty’ and ‘Roforofo Fight.

” Guitarists Mike Tiernan andZivanni Masango both add their talents on Dig Deep, as do Danny Sears on trumpet andJohn Stuart on baritone saxophone.With this mix of talented musicians contributing to the album, it is no wonder that DigDeep sounds as good as it does.

But at the helm is drummer Dave Watts, simultaneouslyembodying the roles of bandleader, musician, composer, and producer. It is Watts’creative imagination that drives Dig Deep, mixing recorded and sampled tracks thatseamlessly carry the music forward throughout the album.

As a drummer, Watts hasbeen called “the human metronome.” His sense of timing and polyrhythmicunderstanding is what has made him a force in the live music scene for over twenty years.Dig Deep is his most in-depth exploration into production work thus far.

Watts hasamply represented the layered electronica-funk vibe that has begun to characterize TheMotet’s sound over the last few years, and he has truly “dug deep” to bring you DigDeep. Dig Deep is available for FREE DOWNLOAD at myspace.

com/themotetmusic

The Motet performs funk, jazz music and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, or other music performances. The estimated booking fee range to book The Motet for your event, Please Contact. The Motet has more than 17.1K listeners worldwide and really knows how to entertain your audience. Similar artists are  Tea Leaf Green, Soulive . Contact AAE Music agency for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling The Motet for an upcoming event.

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