Tommy Shugart’s album release party for ‘Matriarch’: AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Tommy Shugart’s album release party for ‘Matriarch’: AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Tommy Shugart, formerly a mainstay on the Florida jazz and jam scene, moved to Denver in 2019. He released his first solo album, Melodies and Changes, in 2021, a fine recording. His sophomore release, Matriarch, is out now and available on all streaming service. The album was recorded at Color Red Studio in Denver and mixed by Aaron Buckingham at Buckingham Studio in Winter Park FL. Color Red was created by Eddie Roberts, guitarist for The New Mastersounds and Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes.

Shugart, recording under the name Shuga T, returned to Florida for four release parties. The first was May 29 at Dunedin Brewery, the home of the refurbished Hammond B3 organ and Leslie cabinet selected by Shugart and gifted to the brewery through the generosity of Harvey Majeski.

The rhythm section on most of the album features arguably the greatest pair in Florida, Matt Lapham and Anthony AC Cole, both of whom have deep resumes. Cole, who also plays alto saxophone and piano, has worked with The Legendary JCs, Mofro, Sam Rivers, Roosevelt Collier, and numerous others. Lapham, a stalwart on the scene, is part of the brilliant Orlando group Shak Nasti and has performed with Roosevelt Collier, Bobby Lee Rodgers, and The Lee Boys among his credits. Shugart chose them for the four-night album release run.

Shugart also brought along a guitarist friend from Denver name Taylor Brown. From the little bit we heard during sound check, we knew we were in the right place for certain!

There was a lot of solo space for everyone throughout the two-set show. Shugart began on Fender Rhodes, with Brown and Lapham also stepping up. Having said that, the most important aspect, as always, is the platform the rhythm section builds for everyone to work on. As noted above, Lapham and AC were deep in the pocket all evening. They offered “Carousel,” the track on Matriarch that also features Eddie Roberts on guitar. This is such a lovely tune.

The quartet then turned right around and kicked major ass with a stunning take on “Jan Jan,” one of the most covered jazz funk tunes in the catalog, made famous by Grant Green. Shugart had the right hand on the Rhodes and the left on the famous B3. The jam was impossibly tight, and we noted that this was, in the moment, AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Shugart was killer on the Rhodes, and Brown tore it up!

Just as quickly, they turned the heat down to simmer for a mellow tune that displayed magician-like work by AC playing his cymbals by hand and then with deft touches with his sticks. They closed out set one with a track from Melodies and Changes, a deep jungle funk tune that they crushed, hitting those great Booker T. and The MGs vibes from their ’70s material such as Melting Pot.

After a breather, the band stepped back on stage for a fabulous song with Shugart again dividing himself between B3 and Rhodes and Lapham stepping out on a fine solo spot.

As is often the case when news such as Shugart’s return to Florida surfaces, the house was loaded with great musicians. Shugart called up guitarist Josh Lampkin to play and also spotted the Galbraith sisters. He also invited Taylor Galbraith to sit in on drums. Lampkin sang “Just Kissed My Baby,” the Meters’ standard. Shugart bounced from B3 to electric piano and then to clavinet, with Lapham again crushing.

The original quartet returned for a mellow track followed by more deep funk, Shugart again a monster on clavinet. Then he announced a jam. Lampkin returned, and he brought up another great guitarist, Matt Walker. Ashley Galbraith took the bass, while Mac Schmitz (Zenzi) sat at the kit. They offered a fine rendition of “Up On Cripple Creek.”

The crowd demanded “one more song,” and the original quartet plus an unidentified guitarist gave us one more look at Shugart’s great jazz and funk with this great band.

Here is a link to another tune recorded by Mac Schmitz!

Orion Ross was the sound engineer, and he was outstanding!

This night was indeed AS GOOD AS IT GETS!

[ONE: 1, 2, Carousel, Jan Jan, 5, Scram; TWO: 1, Just Kissed My Baby Josh Lampkin, 3 Taylor, 4 deep funk clavinet; JAM: Up On Cripple Creek with Mac, Ashley, Walker, 2 tune original 4 + guitar]