Tucked into a sunny nook in Golden Gate Park today, we celebrated a friends birthday with a libations, delicious kebabs, a variety of games, and a bunch rowdy characters. Topping off the festivities was music from a collaboration of Ensemble Soulard and The Smilodons. All afternoon the four piece collaboration played carefree grooves that cascaded through the Meadow, keeping a smile on the face of anyone within earshot.
Hailing from San Francisco, the relaxed crew of musicians rocked two guitars, drums, and a stand-up base, as they played multiple sets of original finger-snapping tunes, along with some fun covers ranging from 1950's Caribbean island jams to modern rock/ska. Lead guitarist Nick Boots describes their style as a heavy dose of gypsy jazz and classic swing, but mixed with edgy originals as well as some classic bebop tunes. These guys aren't just another wanna-be garage band, but serious musicians with tight technique and solid vocal and instrumental exploration.
You can check them out every Friday night from 6-9 at Yoshi's in SF, or be at their newest bands launch in Berkeley on July 9th. Surf on over to Myspace and give "Banana Tree" a listen- I'll bet you go back for more this summer.
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