Green's Standing Eight

Green's Standing Eight

Bruce Von Stiers

As a youngster, Jeremy Green would secretly play his older brother's Ibanez custom guitar. A few years later, at age 15, Green began playing at venues around Ontario, Canada. He went on to play at some of the top music venues in Toronto. Since that young start, Green has played and recorded with musicians such as Robben Ford and Billy Sheehan.

This past fall, Green released an album filled with killer funk-fusion songs. The title of the album is Standing Eight. It was self-released. All of the songs on the album were written by Green.

The album has a whole bunch of guest performers on it. There are four guitarists besides Green playing on songs. The album also has eight bass players on it, along with a sax player and trumpeter.

Jimmy Haslip, who was in the Yellowjackets and performs on and produces a lot of albums for others, plays bass on the album. Robben Ford, who is also an Yellowjacket alum, plays guitar. Mike Stern, who played with Miles Davis and Blood, Sweat & Tears, helps out on guitar. Toni Braxton, Gavin DeGraw and Justin Timberlake are just a few of the artists who Oz Noy has played guitar for. He lends his talents on guitar for this album. Michel Cusson, who recorded with Serephin, plays guitar on the album. Playing bass on the album is Victor Wooten, who is the bassist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Rich Brown plays bass on the album. He has played with the likes of Bruce Cockburn and Dapp Theory. Playing with John & The Sisters, among other groups, Ian DeSouza plays bass on this album. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music and playing at venues such as the Rockwood Music Hall, bassist Moto Fukushima helps out on bass here. Will Lee is the co-founder of a Beatles tribute band and was a member of The Late Show band. He plays bass on the album. Having been a sideman at one point for Bill Evans, Tim LeFebvre helps out on bass. Having played with Steve Vai and David Lee Roth, bassist Billy Sheehan helps out here. Chase Baird plays saxophone for the album. Having studied under Eric Marienthal at Cal State Long Beach and other mentors at Julliard, he has performed with a whole bunch of notable jazz and fusion artists. Having played on albums for Colin Lake and Samantha Fish, Mark Levron plays trumpet on this album. And Keith Carlock played drums on all of the songs on the album. Aside from drumming for James Taylor and Sting, he has toured with Steely Dan and Toto.

No Jacket Required opens the album. It is a fun, toe tapping song with some funk and rock styled guitar work.

Ain't No Chevy starts out as pure funk with a slick bass line and slides along as a funk and groove piece with cool guitar, drums and horn.

Michael & Me is a cool guitar and horn laden piece with a head bopping beat.

Being a native of Kansas, I sometimes am a bit leery of anything that references The Wizard of Oz. But on this album, there is this a tough song called The Land of Oz. It has a lot of strong guitar and drums.

Next up is Big Shoes. It has more of a rock anthem tone.

Mr. Beat is another rock styled fusion piece.

Moving back to the funk and groove mood, Close With The Jab is a good head-bopping, toe-tapping tune.

Car Rock is the last song on the album. It is moderately paced with some cool guitar side by side with tough drumming.

Jeremy Green has not only showcased his own talent on this album, but brought in some top tier musicians to perform on it as well. The level of talent on this album is fantastic. One of the descriptions for the album is that it is a “full throttle, funk-fusion romp.” I can definitely say that, in my opinion, that description is straight on. Standing Eight is a fun, funk-fusion filled album that has a touch or two of rock styling thrown in.

Standing Eight is now out and can be streamed at major streaming sites and purchased through most music retailers.

The official site for Jeremy Green is www.jeremygreenguitar.com .

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