Worldwide Zoo
Worldwide Zoo is an electifying Tampa Bay trio that combine sounds as if it were alchemy. Some jazz, a little latin, lot's of funk, a pinch of space, with blends of world beat, rock and WTF? Many of they're shows have been featured in local scenester rags and the Tampa Tribune decided to do a feature article based on their day to day lives. All have found different things to say about the sound:
"Attention-grabbing, jazzy-funky and eclectic as all get out, Worldwide Zoo doesn't cage up its creative beasts, it loads 'em up on a party-cruise ark and floats them ingeniously into your psyche.", "Worldwide Zoo is more of a stylistic salad, a crunchy toss of world beat, folk, rock and jazz."-Julie Garisto(Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times)
"Sophisticated, jam-intensive brand of funk/jazz...", "Fusing elements of jazz, funk, jam oriented rock and what we will simply call experimental, local organ trio Worldwide Zoo offer forward-thinking sonic explorations that mesmerize....WWZ plays with a sense of purpose, taking the listener around unexpected turns that prove both surprising and pleasing.", "a spacey brand of funk-jazz that's by turns propulsive and exploratory."-Wade Tangelo(Creative Loafing Magazine)
"Like George Duke, early Santana (sans Carlos), Herbie Hancock, late Mothers of Invention/Beefheart, maybe some Bernie Worrell and Stevie Wonder.
The rhythm section wore huge boots made of bloody granite."-Otolathe
"Very now. Crisp. Lots of tinsel. A grooovifonic sound explosion. I dig the vibe.
Keep it vague you barbarian freak masters!"-Rob the Canadian
"Mix up some traditional jazz, acid jazz and some funk, and you've got a good idea of the sounds. Killer jazz drum solos, Rhodes keys and some crazy bass lines."-Dave Sammon
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
The band was founded in April 2005 by Michael Zabrek(keys) and Santiago Rodriguez(bass) after being asked to play a show in Gainesville, Fl at a bar called the Shamrock. Then known as "Schiavo", they played an energy filled set of songs titled "Schiavo" for a very accepting and forgiving crowd. This sparked the fire and an experiment known as Worldwide Zoo emerged. 25 more shows were played in the first year throughout the Tampa-St Pete. area including a win at a battle of the bands, "based on talent" at the Orpheum, and they're own 15+ act "Zoo Fest" which was held at The Bank in St. Petersburg. In January 2006 the Zoo met drummer Jason Stander and the trio was formed. Switching to live drums gave them the freedom to improvise in a new way. Since then they've done 70+ performances and show no sign of stopping. They've packed houses in Tampa, Gainesville, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Orlando, and even a music festival in Brooksville.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Worldwide Zoo has performed over 90 shows since april 2005 and there are no signs of stopping. You can catch them at New World Brewery, Emerald, Dunedin Brewery, Kelly's Pub, and in venues in other cities such as Gainesville, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin and more with plans to get out of the state in 2008. Do we need to spread some Zoo love in your city? let us know so we can put it on the tour.
Your musical influences
Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Soft Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, Dr. Dre, Manu Debango, Chick Corea, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Brand X, Dizzy Gilespie, Stanley Turentine, Mc Coy Tyner, Bob Moses, Meters, Ohio Players, Jimmy Smith, Wu Tang Clan, Bob Marley, Rashad Roland Kirk, Ravi Shankar, Stan Getz...
What equipment do you use?
Keys- Hammond A100, Hohner D6 Clavinet, ARP String Ensemble, Rhodes electric piano, Novation K Station, Yamaha DX7IIFD
Bass- Vintage Fender Jazz electric bass, Upright bass, Space Echo Delays, Acoustic Bass Amps, Cell Phone
Drums- 1971 Ludwig (Oyster Black Pearl), 1964 Mica-Sonic Deluxe(Blue Satin Flame), Gretsch Catalina Club (White Pearl), K.Zildjian(EAK),K.Zildjian Constantinople, Vintage Zildjian Avedis cymbals, Percussion
Anything else?
ROOTS DEEP 7" Vinyl records are here and coming to a record store near you. Full of all original artwork and available in multi-color or green vinyl. Only $5.00! If they are not yet in your area....
Send E-mail to:
world_wide_zoo@yahoo.com
for purchase info.
Check out the Zoo!!!!
