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San Francisco has a storied background of organized crime. From the Mob ridden speakeasies of the prohibition era to the Nortenos y Suerenos that currently tug at the seams of the Mission District, the Bay Area underground has been home to every imaginable form of nefarious business over the course of the past century. It’s appropriate, then, that the Jazz Mafia form as a product of the same environment.
An elite team of instrumental outlaws, The Jazz Mafia has taken many shapes since its inception, the most notable of which is certainly The Shotgun Wedding Quintet.  Forming in 2003, The Shotgun Wedding Quintet has worked to create an illicit blend of rap and jazz that’s rooted in tradition. The 5-piece ensemble creates a sound that is equal parts big-band and boom-bap, paying homage to the art of improvisation both lyrically and instrumentally.

Traditional, complex jazz arrangements form the skeleton on which each song is built, and are adorned by some of the Bay-Areas most sought-after instrumentalists. Adam Theis and Joe Cohen, both of whom recently recorded with Zion-I, share a variety of duties, juggling woodwinds, reeds, an electric bass and a few synthesizers. Pat Korte, a fierce drummer who frequently tours with Bay-Area legend Lyrics Born, leads the rhythm section, smacking his kit with dramatic authority.

The group is rounded out by acclaimed left-field lyricist Dublin, who’s unrivaled cadences are the result of countless after-hours ciphers and a finely tuned sense of ironic humor, rife with pertinent pop-cultural commentary, and Aspect McCarthy, the DJ who’s influence extends far beyond mere scratching. McCarthy essentially co-arranged the album with Thies, and their dramatically different approaches to song-writing amount to a distinct, refined aesthetic.

The hard work of all the respective members was finally made manifest during a sold-out show at The Independent this July in celebration of the release of their self-titled album. The record is the culmination of 4 years worth of inspiration, feuding, friendship, and a collective passion for music and performance.

This event at Hopmonk Tavern in July will also be an album release party.  So come on out and have a great time with Shotgun Wedding Quintet.

This is a 21+ show.