Underdogs and Thundercats
Tin Pan to Host Dual CD Release Party at Joe’s Pub
by Eric J. Gordon | Jun 3, 2011
Drawing from elements of jazz, blues, country, and rock Tin Pan produces a sound that encompasses the full spectrum of American Roots style music. The intention of their style is pure and simple, to be enjoyed and to make people dance.
Tin Pan was founded in 2006 by Jesse Selengut, a longtime New York City musician who sings and plays trumpet and piano for the band. He described his motivation for forming the band as filling “a need for this kind of music.” He fell for the simplicity of Americana saying it requires a full commitment because there is no fancy prose or theory to hide behind.
Selengut added Mississippi native Clifton Hyde on guitar and “hollerin’” and through Hyde brought in Stefan Zeniuk on saxophone and clarinet. With the addition of Pete “Baby Hands” Maness on bass and vocals the band was ready to begin touring.
Believing that their music must be easily accessible, Tin Pan plays over 220 live shows a year. Staying true to the theme of accessibility, they refer to themselves as a “street band” and often play in Central Park and the New York City Transit System.
There is sure to be plenty of dancing on June 6th when Tin Pan will host a debut concert for both their latest studio album The Home Bartender’s Songbook and a live album titled Underdogs and Thundercats.
The albums give a look at two sides of the band’s musicality. The Home Bartender’s Songbook is an example to the band’s dedication to the art of music. Its 11 tracks were painstakingly sculpted by guitarist Clifton Hyde. On the other hand Underdogs and Thundercats is a 12 track “rip-your-face-off” show of the band’s raw live performance power and is meant to showcase their live show effect at its full potential.