SOCKET: Deep Pocket Jazz/Funk Junk
The electric flow of SOCKET's Hammond organ-powered instrumental groove music is is charged with alternating currents of funk and jazz, grounded with a filthy smudge of East Bay grease. Based in Oakland, CA, SOCKET's has been a fixture at Bay Area's worthiest groove venues for almost a decade.
SOCKET's key influences include Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, James Brown, Medeski Martin and Wood, Fela Kuti, and Charlie Hunter. The band's patented "jazz funk junk" sound also includes elements of latin, afrobeat, samba, second line, and hard rock.
SOCKET's core members include Taylor Heanue (organ), Q Morrow (guitar), and Terry Branam (drums). Nathan Endsley (sax, flute) was an early member of the band, and Dave Ellis (sax), formerly of the Charlie Hunter Trio, makes a guest appearance on SOCKET's self-titled debut album.
The band was founded by Taylor Heanue in 2002 as Guru Garage, and was rechristened as SOCKET upon the release of their eponymous debut album in 2007.
Over the years SOCKET has shared stages with Hamsa Lila, Samba Da, Aphrodesia, Vinyl, and Topaz; members of Soulive and Meshell Ndegocello's band have sat in with SOCKET as guests.
