A highly inventive percussion-based ensemble, Ghost-Note showcases the combined talents of fellow Snarky Puppy drummers Robert "Sput" Searight and Nate Werth. Working with a rotating group of collaborators, they make a kinetic, stylistically varied blend of groove-based funk, EDM, hip-hop, jazz, and rock. The band emerged in 2015 with their debut album, Fortified, which hit the top of digital jazz charts. Drawing upon such influences as James Brown, J Dilla, and Herbie Hancock as well as West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian rhythmic traditions, Ghost-Note have continued to expand their sound on albums like 2018's Swagism and 2024's Mustard n'Onions. Prior to joining Snarky Puppy, both Searight and Werth honed their skills studying jazz at the prestigious University of North Texas (UNT). Born in Dallas, Searight joined Snarky Puppy first, after having built his reputation with Kirk Franklin and other luminaries on the Dallas gospel scene. A native of Indiana, Werth came to the innovative, genre-bending ensemble almost directly after graduating from UNT, and immediately struck up a friendship with Searight. Together, they came up with the idea of creating their own group where the percussion would be the main driver behind the music. In 2015, they delivered Ghost-Note's well-received debut album, Fortified, which featured contributions from a bevy of their friends including Nick Werth, Jason "JT" Thomas, Shaun Martin, N'Dambi, Mark Lettieri, Caleb McCampbell, and others. It reached number one on the digital jazz albums charts. Two years later, they returned with Swagism, which featured guest appearances by Justin Stanton, Karl Denson, Kamasi Washington, and others. Ghost-Note's third album, Mustard n'Onions, arrived in April 2024 with contributions by Marcus Miller, Eric Gales, Bernard Wright, and more. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi

Downtown Hampton Block Party 2019

Matt Stell

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