What is Photon, and Why Do You Need to See Them?
There is just too much music.
That’s not really a complaint, just an observation. 30 years ago, we imagined that we could keep up with all the cool music. That illusion faded pretty quickly. There is just so much great music — everywhere you look and listen. Every night there is amazing music you don’t know about yet. Every festival, there are amazing live bands worth checking out. EVERY NIGHT. EVERY FESTIVAL.
So what is Photon, and why should you see them? Photon are an electronic progressive jazz house collective featuring members of DOPAPOD, Thievery Corp, YAMN, and more. My first contact was in September of 2022, when Mike Bryant brought Photon to Dunedin Brewery for a two-night stand. The draw at the time for me was guitarist Chris Michetti (RAQ, Conspirator), who was added to the basic trio: Neal “Fro” Evans (DOPAPOD), drums; Dan Africano (Thievery Corp), bass; and Jimmy D (YAMN), all things keyboards. As it turned out, Africano could not make it, but local hero Vinny Svoboda was superb in relief.
Recent recording of “Mouse Hunt” from Roots Music Project:
I headed to the computer at the end of the first night to scribble this:
It was an evening of brilliant jamtronica, electronica, synth-drenched funk, and jammed-out prog rock (the four major food groups). James Charles Dunstan Jr., better known as Jimmy D, wrote all of the tunes. There is no way for me to overstate his mastery on electronic keyboards, especially synths. Let me put it this way: I never thought I would hear another keyboard player to match the prowess of George Duke. I am delighted to say I was wrong. Jimmy D. IS that man.
You should find out — anywhere, any time he is playing.
Photon returned to Dunedin Brewery in December of 2023 and then last April for a pair of shows. This video comes from archivist Tim Mulaly, whose work is always appreciated. He has 11 videos of Photon from several appearances on his YouTube channel!
And now… THEY’RE BACK!
Dunstan and Evans are heading to Dunedin Brewery December 12, 13, and 14. The duo will be joined by guitarist Tim Wendel, who was with the group in April, and Vinny Svoboda on bass.
For fans of livetronica, jazz fusion, deep house jams, jamtronica, prog rock and related variations, you need to get yourself to at least one of these shows.
