A neighborhood band drawing inspiration from Sergio Mendes and the B-52’s is coming back from hiatus for a thirtieth anniversary present.
Samba Bamba, a retro loopy music group fronted by artist Richard Knight Jr., is returning for one evening solely Dec. 18 at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. It’s the band’s first present in a number of years.
Returning for the present are Samba Bamba’s three core members, who every tackle a crafted persona full with a backstory, shticks and mannerisms that affect how the group members improvise and play off of one another throughout the present.
Knight portrays Monty “Sugarloaf” Mattachine, the band’s cartoonish frontman recognized for his irresistible sensuality, whereas vocalist Jen Zias portrays the commanding Lupe Lowenstein and Victor Salvo performs as Lindo McCartney, a colourful backing vocalist who doubles as Monty and Lupe’s private valet.
Followers may already be conversant in Zias for her profession as a jazz singer, solo performer and featured vocalist in numerous orchestras. Salvo is a longtime LGBTQ+ activist who based the Legacy Project, which manages the rainbow pillars in Northalsted devoted to LGBTQ+ historic figures.
“Once we’re collectively on stage, something can occur,” Knight stated. “Loads of the present is improv, so that you’ll see Lindo McCartney coming over to repair my penciled-on John Waters mustache or going to Lupe to fluff up her costume and dance collectively.”
Opening for Samba Bamba shall be Grace Carlin, a rising singer-songwriter who occurs to be Knight’s niece.
Samba Bamba rose to prominence within the ‘90s after Knight based the band in 1994 by pitching the idea to the proprietor of Vinyl, a supper membership and lounge that existed at 1615 N. Clybourn Ave.
On the time, Knight was joined by jazz singer Kirsten Guftason, who portrayed the character of Gusty. Guftason left the band after a number of years to concentrate on her jazz profession, which led to Zias becoming a member of the group, Knight stated.
Salvo, who was already good mates with Knight, volunteered to carry out totally free as a result of Vinyl at first didn’t have the funds for 3 band members, Knight stated.
“I simply was doing it as a result of it was a hoot,” Salvo stated. “However we shortly took off and Richard discovered the cash for me to be paid.”
In its heyday, Samba Bamba was performing at the very least eight exhibits a month, together with a number of appearances on the Style of Chicago, Northalsted Market Days and numerous different road festivals throughout town, Knight stated. The band additionally had spots on “The Jenny Jones Present” and WTTW’s “Wild Chicago.”
“Our solely objective was to musically make like to our viewers,” Knight stated. “So that you’ll see in these previous clips how we interact with the viewers by pulling individuals on stage to bounce or begin a large conga line. We’ve created so many hilarious, heartfelt and great moments.”
Knight described his character of Monty “Sugarloaf” Mattachine as a “ringleader” and the “grasp of ceremonies.” The character’s final title is a nod to the Mattachine Society, an early homosexual rights group based in 1950.
“We’re not fairly certain the place Monty is from, however he has a little bit of an accent and is likely to be from Spain, perhaps Brazil,” Knight stated. “However his complete factor is he’s strolling sensuality and can hit anybody — man or girl — with a ‘Hiya, child. You’re stunning, does anyone inform you that?’”
Zias’ character of Lupe Lowenstein is a “half-Mexican, half-Jewish diva who likes nothing greater than to command the viewers via track,” Zias stated.
After which Salvo’s persona of Lindo McCartney is a play off the late Linda McCartney and jokes about her fame for not being superb at keyboard or singing in her husband Paul’s band Wings, Salvo stated.
“I hate to talk in poor health of her, however she wasn’t recognized for being the best backing vocalist, and that’s sort of the joke about my character,” Salvo stated.
However not like Linda McCartney, Salvo is a educated singer.
“The individuals who solely know me from the Legacy Venture shall be blown away as a result of they do not know that this facet of my life even exists,” Salvo stated.
Samba Bamba has additionally recorded a number of of its authentic songs, together with the favored “Lust for Samba” that was carried out on “The Jenny Jones Present.” A CD with a number of of the band’s tracks shall be out there on the thirtieth anniversary present and later be made out there on streaming platforms, Knight stated.
The group can be recognized for its eclectic covers of songs like “Copacabana,” “Gentle My Hearth” and “Woman Marmalade” — every infused with Samba Bamba’s Latin taste, Knight stated.
“I got here up with the time period in some unspecified time in the future, however we wish to Sambasize every part,” Zias stated. “We take music, put it in a blender and it comes out with our signature Samba Bamba sound.”
