Music Blurbs, Vol. 20

The Motet
Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1998, the Motet specializes in funk, soul, Afrobeat and jazz rock, combining those ingredients with a jam band aesthetic. Drummer Dave Watts put the group together with what would become a rotating cast of players drawn from the top musicians in the scene. Eventually settling into a six-piece, the group self-released their Watts-produced debut album, Breathe, in 1999. The Motet’s deep-groove approach emphasizes improvisation and musical interplay. Even when pop elements have found their way into the band’s music, the jam vibe and a spirit of exploration are at the core of the band’s dance-oriented material. A key ingredient in the band’s success has been its emphasis on heavy touring schedule, with festival dates a prominent feature of their live work. The group has released ten albums, cultivating a devoted following that appreciates the group’s peerless musicianship wedded to a strong emphasis upon funk and groove within the freewheeling context of the jam band scene.

Fitz and the Tantrums
Starting with a classic rhythm and blues foundation and infusing it with a modern feel and sensibility, Los Angeles-based Fitz and the Tantrums developed a signature style and dedicated fan base to match. Launched in 2008 by musician and vocalist Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, the group drew from the American song forms and styles that came out of Memphis (via Stax and other labels) and Detroit (primarily from Motown Records). The group’s 2010 indie debut Pickin’ Up the Pieces made its mark on Billboard’s trendy Heatseekers chart, and its success led to a high-profile deal with Elektra. More Than Just a Dream (2013) spawned two hit singles, “Out of My League” and “The Walker.” Fits and the Tantrums’ self-titled third release in 2016 yielded the band’s biggest hit, “HandClap.” Since then, the group’s deft and exuberant mix of soul, r&b and pop has continued to earn new fans. The band released its sixth studio album, Man on the Moon in July 2025.

Dark Star Orchestra
With the 1995 death of guitarist and founding member Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead officially ceased operations. While various offshoots would continue well into the present era, the unique and special experience that was a Dead concert was largely out of reach for concertgoers. Into that void came Dark Star Orchestra. Launched within two years of the Dead’s demise, the Chicago-based group sought from its beginnings to do more than merely cover the Bay Area legends’ music; their aim was – and continues to be – to provide audiences with as faithful a re-creation as possible of a Grateful Dead concert. The group often focuses on a specific legendary show and endeavors to relive it by using the same set list, gear and arrangements heard on the original date. More than two dozen musicians have been part of Dark Star Orchestra at one time or another, and several Dead alumni (including Tom Constanten, Donna Godchaux, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Vince Welnick) have guested, giving Dark Star Orchestra an extra layer of authenticity and gravitas.

Samm Henshaw
London-born singer, songwriter and producer Samm Henshaw launched his recording career with a 2015 EP, The Sound Experiment. A year later The Sound Experiment 2 followed; the two releases showcased Henshaw’s stirring and catchy brand of gospel-flavored, soulful r&b-meets-pop. Displaying influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Usher and N*Sync, Henshaw’s original music manages the feat of feeling fresh and contemporary while building on the sounds and textures of classic soul. Rather than following up his early EPs with an album, Henshaw took a different route, releasing an impressive series of singles – 12 between 2018 and 2022 – both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other artists. Henshaw finally released his debut album, Untidy Soul in 2022. His second full-length, It Could Be Worse followed in January 2026. Henshaw’s touring has seen him opening for James Bay, Tori Kelly, Chance the Rapper and Allen Stone. His current world tour tales him from Japan and Southeast Asia to North America – including dates in major U.S. markets – before heading across the Atlantic for concerts in Europe and the UK.

Steve Forbert
Mississippi native Steve Forbert followed his muse to New York City in the mid ‘70s, becoming a vital part of the Greenwich Village folk scene. Forbert made a name for himself during the punk era, even landing well-received gigs at legendary clubs like CBGB. He scored a recording contract with Nemperoro/CBS and released Alive on Arrival in 1978. But it would be his sophomore release, 1979’s Jackrabbit Slim that earned Forbert the high profile his music deserved. A highlight of that release was “Romeo’s Tune,” a single that reached No. 11 on the Billboard chart. With that, Forbert peaked commercially, though his on-target songcraft and musical skills have long made him a critics’ darling with a devoted fan base. Today Steve Forbert commands a body of work that includes more than 20 studio albums, four live sets, no less than seven compilations, and a dozen-plus direct-to-fans releases. A Grammy nominee, he’s also an accomplished author: his memoir Big City Cat: My Life in Folk Rock was published in 2018.