The Wayward Monks

Location
The Jazz House is located at 3192 Adeline Street in Berkeley, a half block southwest of the Ashby BART.  (Please note there is an incorrect Adeline Street in Oakland.)

The Jazz House is a small, non-descript warehouse located next to the police station where Martin Luther King and Adeline Street meet.  A blue light and a peculiar "Ant" sign reside above the entrance.

About The Wayward Monks:
The Wayward Monks is a groundbreaking band that mixes instrumental jazz and progressive rock in cerebral, yet accessible ways. The compositions are rhythmically varied and distinctively melodic. Frequently relying on odd meters like 7/8 and 5/4, their sound incorporates mainstream jazz (Oblivion, Last Call, Hopalong Hannah), rock (Jubilation, Night Crawlers) funk (Chatterbox), driving fusion (Pickup, Fire Dance, Polly Unsaturated ), reggae (Rasta Pasta) and new age-acoustic (Solitude, Tread Lightly, Pastural). Their jams keep listeners attentive with their changing dynamics, spontaneity, and instrumental virtuosity. 

When The Wayward Monks jam, they create a driving cauldron of sound that weaves a dynamic, exciting aural landscape. Dan Zalles’s guitar and trumpet lines weave their way around Mike Disch’s compelling bass lines and Jason Ravitz’s organ and piano textures, powered by the creative, seamless Jeremy DeGroot on drums. Though The Wayward Monks are truly unique and original, you might hear traces of Phish, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, and Miles Davis in their sound.  

The Wayward Monks came together in the late Fall of 2001. Jeremy and Dan played together ten years ago in the Reckless Pedestrians, a popular rock band that performed regularly at Berkeley’s Starry Plough and backed Chris Isaak, among others. More recently Jeremy drummed in the popular JDogs, which mixed jazz grooves and hip hop. Dan has composed close to 100 songs and has been the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for a number of Bay Area Bands, starting with the early-80’s punk/new wave outfit British Wire Gauge. A BWG song called “Pray TV” was heavily played and promoted on Bay Area radio stations. Mike played bass in the popular Bay Area jam band Shady Lady. Jason has performed in New England, New Orleans, and California in jazz, rock, and performance art groups.  

Listen to the Monks on KALX and here.

Visit The Wayward Monk's website.