Banyan

Banyan is a United States jazz rock group based in Los Angeles, California. Its sound combines art rock and alternative rock with heavy jazz, funk and punk influence, and the band uses a large amount of improvisation alongside fixed song structures.

Formation and members

The group is led and co-founded by Stephen Perkins, who first plays drums for Jane's Addiction and later for Porno for Pyros. He co-founds Banyan with David Turin. The core lineup includes Nels Cline on guitar and Mike Watt on bass, with Mike Watt also singing on some songs. Willie Waldman plays trumpet in the band, and Watt and Cline generally perform only West Coast dates. The group has also used fill-ins including Rob Wasserman on bass and Clint Wagner on guitar when needed.

Live performance and collaborators

Banyan’s live shows sometimes include guest musicians such as saxophonists Steve Mackay and Herman Green, guitarist Calvin Newborn, and bassist J. D. Westmoreland. Los Angeles artist Norton Wisdom also performs with the group by painting on a wet-erase board while the band plays, creating images that respond to the music. The band’s performances can include recurring visual elements as well as new ones from show to show.

Recording history

The band’s first EP features Money Mark as keyboardist, credited as the Freeway Keyboardist. Its first album is engineered by the Dust Brothers at their studio and produced by Turin and Perkins. The second album, Anytime at All, includes guest appearances by Flea and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Martyn LeNoble, Rob Wasserman and Buckethead. The third album, Live At Perkins’ Palace, is recorded at Perkins’ home studio and presents the group as a four-piece of Perkins, Watt, Cline and Waldman.

Influences

Members of the band cite Igor Stravinsky and Miles Davis as influences in liner notes and conversation.