Human Nature, the East Bay guerilla jazz sextet, brings its unique blend of jazz to Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda on Saturday, June 4 with special guest Joe Klocek of Comedy Central TV and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” opening the show.
Human Nature’s sound blends contemporary jazz with rock, funk and R&B delivered with a performance vibe that delights both non-jazz listeners and jazz veterans alike.
Tim Wat, the band’s founder and keyboard player, notes, “Human Nature is committed to bringing real jazz with a rock ‘n roll performance aesthetic. We’re not about watching guys blow into their music stands for three hours. Where’s the joy and fun in that?” Kelly McIntyre, the band’s doe-eyed vocalist slyly adds, “We want to challenge your idea of what a jazz show can be. If you leave our show having had real fun and a great time, then we’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do.”
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With originals that invoke the lyricism of Pat Metheny, the earthy funk of Tower of Power and even the edge of Michael Brecker, Human Nature’s music is refreshingly eclectic. Also the band’s principal composer, Wat insists that despite the wide range of sources Human Nature draws from, it’s all jazz. He continues, “We want to surprise some notions of what the genre is. Jazz isn’t stuck in the ‘50s. It’s not just for academics. We may draw on pop, rock and R&B, but the swing, interplay and language are jazz – jazz for real people. As we say, Jazz…it’s only human.”
