The Wayward Monks serve up a jamming hybrid of jazz, progressive rock, and acoustic music-- with trumpet, keys, guitar, bass and drums. A groundbreaking instrumental band with compositions that are rhythmically varied (lots of grooving in 7/4 time), distinctively original, emotional, and melodic. for free MP3s ---
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Several styles are represented. with any feedback or inquiries.
The Wayward Monks came together in the late Fall of 2001, reuniting Dan Zalles with Jeremy DeGroot who played ten years ago in the Reckless Pedestrians, a popular band at Berkeley's Starry Plough and the Bear's Lair, who 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 leader for several Bay Area bands, starting with the 80's British Wire Gauge whose song "Pray TV" was heavily played and promoted on radio at KFJC.
Jason Ravitz is an accomplished keyboardist and drummer having performed on streets and stages across New England, New Orleans, and in California most recently with Japanese-inspired Heavan Bound Train. Mike Disch is from Austin, Texas and was the bassist of choice in the popular Bay Area jam band Shady Lady, led by Samantha Stollenwerck.
Do we ever! Click on "live events" for details about upcoming shows. The band is on a bit of a haitus while working on our second CD.
Places we've played in the Bay Area include:
* Palo Alto Promenade - Music and Film Festival
* Dana Street Roasting Co. Mountain View
* British Banker's Club, Menlo Park
* SRI International, Menlo Park
* Connecticut Yankee, SF
* Brainwash, SF
* Anna's Jazz Island, Berkeley
* The Jazz House, Berkeley
* Epic Arts, Berkeley
* Jupiter, Berkeley
* Starry Plough, Berkeley
* The Uptown, Oakland
We welcome your suggestions for other great venues or ways to get our music heard!
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.
If you like the music here on Soundclick, check out our even better ! account and videos posted on
Coming soon: A list of radio stations playing our music. For now, request Wayward Monks on Mondays 6 - 7 on The Next Big Thing! @ KALX in Berkeley, call in #: (510) 642-5259.