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Karl Denson

Karl Denson is a funk and jazz saxophonist, flutist and vocalist from San Diego, California. He was a member of Lenny Kravitz's band and has co-founded and led The Greyboy Allstars. Denson has recorded with artists including Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Blind Boys of Alabama and Stanton Moore. As of 2007 he continues to lead his own Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Karl Denson Trio (KD3).

Members of Karl Denson's Tiny Universe include Denson (saxophone, flute), Ron Johnson (bass), Chris Littlefield (trumpet), Brian Jordan (guitar), David Veith (keyboards) and John Staten (drums).

KD3 is Denson with keyboardist Anthony Smith (Global Funk, Giant People) and drummer Brett Sanders (brother of John Staten).

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1
Live Review

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe at Levitt Pavilion

Read "Karl Denson's Tiny Universe at Levitt Pavilion" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Karl Denson's Tiny Universe Levitt Pavilion Denver, CO August 26, 2017 You don't hear much talk of “The Energy Crisis" anymore. That's because Karl Denson's Tiny Universe has been on the scene, lighting things up and generating gigawatts of energy with its frequent funk fusillades. Over the course of their two hour set Saturday night, the Tiny Universe brought the funk, brought the energy and brought the fun. The Tiny Universe is all ...

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Album Review

The Karl Denson Trio: Lunar Orbit

Read "Lunar Orbit" reviewed by Doug Collette


The Karl Denson Trio's Lunar Orbit is the perfect title because it conjures visions of space and time in an apt musical metaphor. The sound of the album spans eras of style, these musicians revivifying what is all- too-often merely flat or formulaic

There's a great atmosphere to this CD right from the start, and it only deepens as the tracks progress. Textures abound in the contrast of horns, percussion and organ on “Plain Truth, and warmth permeates even the ...

97
Album Review

Karl Denson: Dance Lesson #2

Read "Dance Lesson #2" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


While some of the jazz cognoscenti may suggest that the acid jazz scene has played out its welcome, the fact remains that artists such as Medeski, Martin & Wood and others of their ilk seem to be finding new things to say within the borders of improvisation and dance rhythms. Now add to the list saxophonist/flutist Karl Denson, a decidedly groove-based player who has been straddling the lines of jazz and more popular forms since 1992. A former sideman with ...

161
Album Review

Karl Denson: Dance Lesson #2

Read "Dance Lesson #2" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


While some of the jazz cognoscenti may suggest that the acid jazz scene has played out its welcome, the fact remains that artists such as Medeski, Martin & Wood and others of their ilk seem to be finding new things to say within the borders of improvisation and dance rhythms. Now add to the list saxophonist/flutist Karl Denson, a decidedly groove-based player who has been straddling the lines of jazz and more popular forms since 1992. A former sideman with ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Samora Pinderhughes, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and more

Jazz this week: Samora Pinderhughes, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis features the local debut of a much-talked-about young pianist and composer, the return of one of the jam-band circuit's funk-jazz favorites, and more. Let's go to the highlights.... Wednesday, July 19 Drummer Kevin Bowers will reconvene the large cast of his Brazilian-influenced, imaginary-movie-soundtrack project NOVA in a free concert for the Missouri Botanical Garden's Whitaker Music Festival. Elsewhere around town, though the Curtain Call Lounge has withdrawn from ...

Video / DVD

StLJn Saturday Video Showcase: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe revisited

StLJn Saturday Video Showcase: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe revisited

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, let's take a look at some videos featuring saxophonist and singer Karl Denson and his band Tiny Universe, who are coming back to St. Louis for a gig on Friday, June 21 at the Atomic Cowboy Pavilion. After an absence of nearly six years, KDTU were here most recently in December of last year for a show at the Old Rock House, and Denson's back story was recapped in a Saturday video post preceding that gig. Given that ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O, Karl Denson, and more

Jazz this week: Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O, Karl Denson, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a generous helping of holiday music; the long-awaited return of a popular jam-band performer; a tribute to one of St. Louis' all-time jazz greats; and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, December 7 Drummer Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O returns to spread their particular brand of holiday cheer for the first of two nights at Jazz at the Bistro. For more about the Tree-O and some video samples ...

Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Six from Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Six from Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, let's check out some recent performances from saxophonist and vocalist Karl Denson, who with his band Tiny Universe is coming back to St. Louis next week for the first time since 2010 to perform on Saturday, December 10 at the Old Rock House. That relatively long absence may be attributed in part to the fact that Denson, a California native who turns 60 at the end of this month, has been spending time since 2014 as the touring ...

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Performance / Tour

Soulive Feat. Karl Denson | S.F. | Review | Pics

Soulive Feat. Karl Denson | S.F. | Review | Pics

Source: JamBase

Words by: Joshua Danson | Images by: John Margaretten Soulive feat. Karl Denson :: 12.11.10 :: The Independent :: San Francisco, CA Northeast jazz/funk power trio Soulive joined forces with California Acid Jazz pioneer Karl Denson in San Francisco at the refurbished Independent and the results were predictably pleasing. Touring in support of their recently released album of Beatles covers, Rubber Soulive, the trio has been playing a set sprinkled with favorites from the Fab Four, but San Francisco marked ...

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Performance / Tour

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe: A Heroween Experience in Denver

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe: A Heroween Experience in Denver

Source: JamBase

HEROWEEN AT CERVANTES; REVOLUTION OF SOUL TOUR Karl Denson's Tiny Universe hits the road this fall with highlights including two special late-nightshows in Las Vegas at the House of Blues on Oct. 23, and in Atlantic City at Trump Plaza on Oct. 29. The band will also make an appearance at The Southern Monster Smash on Oct.30 at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater and a special Halloween show in Denver on Oct. 31 with special guest Gift Of Gab from Blackalicious. ...

70

Performance / Tour

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe: Vegas Show After Panic/Mule

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe: Vegas Show After Panic/Mule

Source: JamBase

SATURDAY OCTOBER 23 AT 2 AM AFTER WIDESPREAD PANIC & GOV'T MULE AT THE JOINT Karl Denson's Tiny Universe will be taking the stage at the House of Blues in Las Vegas at 2am Saturday, October 23 (officially early Sunday morning) to play into the wee hours. Doors will open at 1am following the Widespread Panic/Gov't Mule show at the Joint and the Tiny Universe will hit the stage at 2am for two full sets. Vegas is a 24/7 town ...

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Performance / Tour

Electric Avenue Fest: Denson, Hollingsworth

Electric Avenue Fest: Denson, Hollingsworth

Source: JamBase

ELECTRIC AVENUE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ON WELTON ST. IN FRONT OF CERVANTES'

Electric Avenue Music and Arts Festival will take place right outside of Cervantes' Masterpiece on Welton Street in Denver, Colorado over three nights and two fun-filled days with music beginning at 1 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5, Labor Day Weekend.

Over 25 bands will perform on four stages (two outdoor & two indoor) and the lineup will feature ...

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Performance / Tour

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | 04.23 | NY

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | 04.23 | NY

Source: JamBase

Words by: Jarrod Dicker | Images by: Rob Chapman

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe :: 04.23.10 :: Brooklyn Bowl :: Brooklyn, New York

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe wrapped up their East Coast run in New York this weekend at the adult playground and music sanctuary Brooklyn Bowl with two nights of eclectic jazz and fiery funk. In a harmonious cosmos where jazz music reigns supreme, the Tiny Universe expelled a rare, extraordinary energy that is inimitable by any other funk ...

113

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Dr. John and the Neville Brothers, Freddy Cole, Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and More

Jazz This Week: Dr. John and the Neville Brothers, Freddy Cole, Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Fat Tuesday has come and gone, but the musical spirit of Mardi Gras is lingering just a bit in St. Louis, as we've got three significant New Orleans acts performing in town over the weekend, plus several other events of interest to jazz fans.Let's go to the highlights, starting tonight when singer and pianist Freddy Cole returns to St. Louis to open a four night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. The brother of legendary singer-pianist Nat “King" ...

Jeremy Terry
saxophone

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