Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Boston
Posts: 6562

Last night was one of those nights I doubt I will ever forget. Every Wednesday night I was around and able to go out I would head on to this place in Worcester called the Java Hut to see a group of local musicians under the name Kakalla produce their brand of "American music." Music is not always meant to be classified. A quick listen gives it a decidedly jazz feel; further study truly shows the depth of what influences these guys. To get to the point, last night was their final show at the Java Hut as two of the members are moving to New York City.

In the summer of 2000 a few of us were told by a good friend that there was this jazz group playing on Wednesdays. From that point on I must have seen these guys at least fifty times. Entrance was to buy something off the menu! There was no way we could not go. There were times we sat there in amazement as they went through the same tunes as the past couple weeks, yet each had such a unique twist and new life to it through each rendition that there was no way to say it was rehashing old material. Just incredible.

After last night's first set I had to talk to them one last time. Some of the conversations I had from time to time with the different members were quite memorable, guys who spoke and lived music. Two of them knew me from going so many times and speaking with them so much, the others were simply happy to hear that I was such a fan. I completed the CD collection, picking up two albums I did not know even existed. The roots of the group stem from the group the Sonic Explorers (strangely enough, their first album is called "The Birth of Kakalla"). More CDs will be coming out with time, as they recorded quite a bit that they just haven't released yet. As great as that is to me, it's sad seeing such a thing end now, knowing that I may never see those four men perform together again in the same setting. It was one of the best things I could ask for in terms of music. I'd never trade it in for anything.

Sonic Explorers

Kakalla/Thomson Kneeland

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