Third Stream Giants
“Cool Human”
self-released

From Gilbert and Sullivan, to Lennon and McCartney, to Hall and Oates—ever since people first started putting music and lyrics together, partnerships have played an essential role in the creative process. Often, the end product is a synthesis of two uniquely independent styles, personalities or temperaments; McCartney would write, “Things are getting better, better better,” only to have Lennon chime in, “Things couldn’t get much worse.”

Such a creative collaboration seems to exist for eight-man local funk ensemble Third Stream Giants. The band is co-fronted by production whiz/guitarist Matt Montoro and singer Anthony Campbell, whom many still remember from 2003’s “Today” show superstar contest. While Montoro’s technical touch ensures that the band—brimming with talent—reaches its full potential on every riff, Campbell’s soulful vocals add the much needed human element into the equation.

The two frontmen mostly swap songs on the Giants’ 10-track début album, “Cool Human,” save for a couple of exceptions:  Track seven, “Like This,” written by keyboardist Ben Hite, is actually a jazzy 52-second keys solo backed by noise-machine rain that segues directly into Campbell’s “Like That.” And the group does a reggaefied cover of Lennon’s “Imagine,” which, though clearly a crowd-pleaser, doesn’t loom as large as one might think against the Giants’ original work.

Montoro and Campbell also collaborate on two of the album’s standouts, “I Feel the Same” and “Gone.” Taken together, the two songs might seem polar opposites—yet both play to the band’s well-rounded capabilities. If one had to pick a quintessential Giants song, “I Feel the Same” would be a good candidate. Its up-tempo, Maroon-5ish beat, and energetic sax and horn blasts make it a great song to groove to, while also flaunting the band’s instrumental chops.  

“Gone,” on the other hand, is a downbeat piano ballad that bridges the gap between R&B and country.  Though funk may be the band’s modus operandi, “Gone” demonstrates how the Giants are able to use their broad range of musical knowledge and interests to run the gamut of genres.

Yet the album’s top honors go to a seemingly unassuming Campbell track toward the end of the album, “If I Were You.”  The track is pure-and-simple pop-rock with a catchy—but not overly ostentatious—bass line and inviting harmonies. Ultimately, the song may exemplify what makes the Third Stream Giants tick when they’re at their best. While the band has the ability to turn on the skills at any given moment, its players also know when to sit back and just enjoy the ride.  

The Giants will hold a CD release party tomorrow night at The Loft. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 or $10 with CD.

-Ben Sellers is editor of the Sounds section in Weekender. He also edits the The Free Lance-Star's teen publication, it! magazine. 

Third Stream Giants have brought back "the funk." It's about time.

The up-and-coming octet plays funk and soul like the titans of old, with thick grooves and horn blasts aplenty. The band matches the soulful baritone of Anthony Campbell--the 2003 winner of the "Today" show's "Superstar" singing competition--with slickly executed horn licks and groove-oriented compositions, many of which are arranged by guitarist Matt Montoro. What results is a spirited collision of funk, soul and R&B that can adapt to various styles and genres.

The band will hand out fistfuls of funk at Washington's The Red and The Black this Sunday. Local fans who can't make the D.C. gig can burn off Thanksgiving calories with the Giants on Saturday, Nov. 29, at The Loft--or ring in the new year with them on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Brock's Riverside Grill.

Their flexibility of styles means that, in addition to original compositions, the Giants can put their own spin on a wide range of songs.

"It's about playing the music that inspires us," said Montoro in a recent phone interview.

From Outkast to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," they try to integrate "all different types of music" into their particular style of funk, said Montoro.

While the band started as a jazz-fusion group in 2006, this far more funky incarnation has been playing together only for about a year. The current lineup features Campbell on vocals, a three-man horn line, keys and a tight rhythm section--creating a sound that's more akin to the hip-shaking style of Morris Day and the Time than the jazz heroes Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

This fat sound and lineup carry over into the group's live shows, and while Montoro joked that they were not yet up to the Morris Day standard ("We're not at the point where we have uniforms or our choreography down pat"), the performance element of their shows is crucial, he said. "Going in, it's really just about connecting with the audience, whether we're playing in a large place or a small club where there might be 50 people out. We are definitely an audience-participation-type act."

What sets Third Stream Giants apart from your standard "let's get together and jam on some oldies" bar band is that they are unnervingly good. Their songs boast intricate and complex arrangements, and their players are more than capable of producing tight, well-crafted jams.

Montoro--who said that the band rehearses constantly to add new material to its set list--thinks it's the high-caliber musicians that draw people to their shows.

"Whatever style of music you listen to, I think most people can appreciate musicianship," he said.

With the recent rise of artists like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings rekindling the fires of funk and soul, it's almost hard to believe that a band as talented as Third Stream Giants has not broken out beyond being a regional band.

But since all the band members have day jobs (several are teachers, and Campbell works at the chamber of commerce) getting everyone together is logistically difficult, and the band won't release its first album until early next year.

The band has also suffered a loss--21-year-old Mike Smith, the original drummer, died in a car crash in July 2007. Montoro and Smith were good friends who had reconnected through the band, and Smith's loss compelled the group to do some "soul-searching" before moving forward.

"We had these big plans, and then tragedy struck," said Montoro. "I wish he was here and enjoying it with us."

In spite of the challenges, the Giants move forward--and Montoro is optimistic about what lies down the road.

"I see us being able to play at a lot of these great venues around here--The Birchmere, State Theatre--places that you can pull in a couple thousand people, but still have that intimate vibe," Montoro said. "I'd hate to lose that."

-Bobby McMahon is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Reach him at crosstownrival.blogspot.com.

Like a free-style superhero league, outfitted with punching horns, kicking keys and a slappin’ bass, the Third Stream Giants believe it is their mission to save you from your low expectations of mere mortal music and “to bring you da funk.”

          Breaking into East Coast airwaves and touring events with their funk/pop “little big band” sound since 2006, the Giants leave the bar scenes behind with their appeal to music aficionados and upscale audiences. 

          “Our name comes from Gunther Schuller’s coined phrase for music that mixes the instrumentation and arrangements of classical and the improv of jazz,” said band leader and composer, Matt Montoro in an interview with Virginia Neighbors.  “’Third Stream has since been used to describe any combination of two forms of main stream music for the creation of a 'third stream'.”  And the Giant part?  See above reference to the free-style superhero band and see them in person for proof.

          3SG’s humble origins, and success, as a studio band with Third Stream Music recording studio were the springboard for producer Montoro to scour the East Coast for “like-minded instrumentalists driven to work on a unique blend of jazz, funk, classical and pop.”

          The band’s eight-piece members today include saxophonist Justin "Mr. Duff" Duff, Lars Holmstrom on trumpet and Jeremy Wall on the ‘bone, Montoro on guitar, Percy Burt on bass, Jason Collett on drums and Anthony Campbell on vocals.

          Campbell, winner of the Today’s Show Superstar Talent Contest, beat out 6,000 contestants with 700,000 votes to win the title in 2003.  Today, Campbell and Montoro collaborate on 3SG’s original arrangements and are happy “contrasts” to each other’s contributions.

          “We have very different approaches to lyrics and poetry.  One way of music writing is a realistic approach, while another is metaphorical.  You need both to have a good mix,” says Montoro, who confesses he is the metaphorical contributor.

          Montoro, a self-taught musician, began composing as a teenager.  “I found the best way to learn music was to compose it into a song,” he said.  With Campbell on the scene since 2007, Montoro has expanded the band’s repertoire as well as gained a composing partner.

          “The result is a very wide appeal to a variety of people.  Some say, hey you sound like this group.  We sound like everything, because we do everything,” said Montoro.

          Montoro’s influences include “everything” from U2 to Outkasts, but he reasons that all music inspires him as it “goes in one ear as one thing and comes out completely different.”

          Campbell’s early influences, surprisingly enough, were the country music classics his mother listened to in between the Swap Shop radio show, the Craig’s list of the 70s. 

          “I grew up as a black kid listening to everything, not a lot of radio stations were in our area,” says Campbell. “I listened to Conway Twitty in between the Swap Shop show, while my older brother and sister were listening to the soul music of the era.  My sister would say I wasn’t part of the family because I listened to country.”

          Campbell grew up to become a 80s pop fan.  His first compositions were inspired by Richard Marx and Michael Bolton.  “I am going for what sounds good and feels good,” says Campbell.  “I get hung up on the lyrics.  They have to be just right, so I write both lyrics and music together.”

          Of their working relationship together, Campbell is generous.  “Matt is one of the brightest people I’ve ever met.  He knows a little about everything.  The shorter list would be what he doesn’t know!”

          It is 3SG’s unique combination of jazz, funk, classical, pop, Latin and other forms of music in creating their impressive blend that educates the uneducated and excites the aficionados. Complex time signatures, stark melodies and beautiful harmonies highlight the movements and the solid percussion and rhythm section frame the songs into an enjoyable and challenging experience.

          With the impressive and uplifting “little big band” behind him, it is Anthony Campbell’s stunningly soulful baritone and high energy that will sweep you out of your mere mortal’s reverie and into a Third Stream awareness of what you have been musically missing.  It is with little doubt to Virginia Neighbors that 3SG are indeed on their way to national recognition, so catch them while you can.

          3SG’s upcoming CD, Cool Human, is set to release in January 2009.  For more information on their upcoming events, visit them online:

 

My Space Page:

http://www.myspace.com/3sgiants 

3SG Website:

http://www.thirdstreamgiants.com/

 -Lisa Reagan, Virginia Neighbors

There are people whose lives consist of cranking things out. They get the job done. But they lack passion.

And then there are those who live for their work.

Fredericksburg guitarist and songwriter Matt Montoro is a member of the second group.

Opening the local Third Stream Music recording studio and composing house three years ago was a labor of love for Montoro. In the process, he's found a handful of like-minded musicians and formed the Third Stream Giants, a funk and jazz ensemble he calls "a little big band." It'll play The Loft in Fredericksburg tomorrow night with Anthony Campbell.

"Our music relates back to the big-band jazz groups," Montoro said. But "the arrangements, choice of music and original compositions definitely fit into a more modern classification."

He said the band tends to work best with music aficionados, not casual bar crowds, but when people pay attention, their reaction is, "I haven't heard anything like that before."

The Giants' influences include Maroon 5, the Flecktones, John Mayer and Charlie Hunter.

Their lineup includes Lars Holmstrom on trumpet, Mike Smith on drums, Jeremy Wall on trombone, Aaron Fast on bass, Justin Duff on alto/tenor sax and Montoro on guitar.

Until now, the Giants had been purely an instrumental group, but tomorrow the Giants will mix in Campbell's vocals. He's the local singer who won the NBC "Today" show's "Superstar" contest a few years ago.

Montoro said that together they will perform a mix of R&B originals and funk covers.

In the coming months, he said, the Giants will back up Campbell on some of his projects, Campbell will support some of theirs with vocals and they may form a group together.

Kate Hohman, a promising vocalist recording at the Third Stream Music studio, will also sit in with the Giants for a few songs tomorrow.

- Michael Zitz