Party like Yo Mama

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Traveling the country in a group righteously named Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, certain expectations exist when rolling into a new town. You must bring the party. In this case, a St. Patrick’s Day downtown throw-down.

Using a bed of funk as their foundation, this six-piece ensemble from Asheville, NC showcases everything from thick New Orleans-style brass to laid back, Sunday afternoon dub and Afrobeat. With party bands, the music often times doesn’t survive the never-ending party. Yo Mama has figured out the formula, but not before indulging.

“We had this song, ‘Naked,’ that got us in as much trouble as it got us recognition. It would get real silly. People from the audience would get on stage, take their clothes off and just dance around,” said guitarist J.P. Miller. “The Booty Band party was interesting in those days, more rowdy drunken energy. We’ve really tightened up the music and are interactive with the audience.”

Growing musically closer has paid off. You can hear not only the collectiveness on the self-released, Live: Greatest Hips Vol. II, but an energy that cannot be displayed on a studio recording. Heavy bass and drum grooves dominate, with guitar, sax, keys, trombone and bongos all having their moments to shine. Often referred to as a truly live experience and a very visual performance, colorful costumes and interactive stage personalities have brought Yo Mama to the Rocky Mountains many times—enough to invest in a tour bus.

“We made four trips to Colorado last year,” Miller said. “It seems like people will come out any night of the week in a mountain town. After every trip, our booking agent would get more calls, so we bought this 1966 bus and are customizing it as we go.”

The smallish mountain town of Asheville supports a lot of touring bands and a lively scene that keeps the members of Yo Mama active when they’re not on the road. Inspired by visits to New Orleans where street musicians are playing all hours of the day, trombonist Derrick Johnson organizes a Funk Jam each Tuesday that attracts all walks of life for a chance to join in on the fun.

You’ll see older folks with drum sticks waiting their turn to play, all the way down to kids with horns ready to go. Everyone knows each other, too, so the camaraderie is great,” Miller said of the jam’s atmosphere.

Yo Mama focuses on original funk, supplemented by obscure covers from Galactic, Miles Davis, Cymande and P-Funk. Refreshing in this age of oh-so-serious music, they cut to the core of what they believe live music is all about—having fun and feeling good. They have delivered this philosophy at Jam Cruise 5, Wakarusa, Jazz Aspen, and now, to downtown Jackson. JHW

What’s Good Here? Productions presents Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band for a festive St. Patrick’s Day Party at 10 p.m., Wednesday at Town Square Tavern. $10.

Courtesy photo
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band makes St. Patty’s Day a dance party.


PERMALINK:
Party like Yo Mama | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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