Flux5
flux. Flowing change.
funk(y). Earthy, danceable, gospel-influenced. Especially music with complex syncopations at the eighth- and sixteenth-note levels.
Grinding out distinctive, greasy, New Orleans-influenced funk, Flux5 first hit Colorado stages in 2002. Having a very organic approach, the original band of musicians mainly played improvisational funk. Early audiences felt a good vibe, saw something good happening on stage and the first Flux5 fans were born. Over the past 4 years, the band has experienced several changes in its musical direction and personnel to keep things fresh and hip. Flux5 is currently at it’s tightest lineup to date as it has shared dates with nationally acclaimed funk superstars Vinyl and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe as well as backed the famed New Orleans funk drummer Stanton Moore at a drum clinic in the Spring of 2006. The band has also grabbed a lot of attention with a full calendar of summer of shows throughout Colorado. Flux5 has been hitting the road playing venues all across the Vail Valley, Summit County, and the Aspen/Carbondale area. Most recently, they won the first annual Frisco-Colorado Fired up Band Contest and performed at the “Music on Main Street” event.
This talented group of Vail Valley locals is comprised of 5 hard working jazz and funk musicians. From the island of Puerto Rico, bassist Richie Vazquez is an aggressive player with great chops and a natural feel. Richie is always supplying mature musical ideas that inspire the soloists of Flux5 to reach the next level. Raised in the Denver jazz scene, Colorado native and drummer Scott Mattson propels the band with fresh ideas, energetic grooves, and a great feel. Nashville-born guitarist Matt Cheek, the soul of Flux5, is the smiling free spirit that lays down the feel good guitar lines that give this group it’s natural and flowing feel. Andy Schmidt’s organically grown keys and his thick buttery sounds are also a vital component of Flux5. His vibrant playing and funky syncopations bring out the great textures that provide the core sound of this quintet. The final element of Flux5, is funk master and band leader Dave Laub. Armed with the big fat sound of his tenor saxophone and his great sense of musicality, Dave is the musical chef that brings this blend of top-shelf players together. Collectively the members have earned 4 music degrees, logged thousands of hours of stage time, and played numerous music festivals. Flux5 displays great maturity and delivers a very high level of musicianship through its exciting, high-energy performances.
Flux5’s sounds were born with the influences of soul-jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, rock, gospel, acid jazz, and hip-hop. Their distinctive sound embraces all of these traditional influences, while forging ahead and continually pushing stylistic boundaries to achieve a signature sound.
The audience that a Flux5 show attracts is wide and varied. The funk junkies and dedicated jam band goers will certainly all get their groove on, and the jazz buffs can always count on hearing some Miles, Monk, and Hancock tunes played in a fresh, new, funky way. A good time is sure to be had by all live music fans!
