A former member of Lenny Kravitz’s band and a regular with The Rolling Stones, Karl Denson will perform at the 2019 Beach Road Weekend.
By Diane Alter
The impressive lineup for the 2019 Beach Road Weekend includes a performance on Sunday, August 11 from accomplished American funk and jazz saxophonist, flutist and vocalist Karl Denson.
Denson will take the Vineyard Haven stage with his band, Tiny Universe. Make no mistake, there is nothing tiny about Tiny Universe or Karl Denson.
Denson is a former member of Lenny Kravitz’s band and since 2014, he has toured with The Rolling Stones.
Tiny Universe, meanwhile, is comprised of some of Denson’s iconic friends, including Rolling Stones’ keyboardist and Allman Brothers Band alum Chuck Leavell; guitar strumming, singer/songwriter Lukas Nelson; New Orleans guitar star Anders Osborne; skilled Austin producer and guitarist Adrian Quesada; and NOLA royal Ivan Neville.
Denson immediately draws you in.
He invites you, delights you, and excites you with his beautiful bluesy voice and extraordinary sax playing. His music, notably his new music, unfolds with a deeply personal sound and message. Indeed, the power of Denson’s musical prowess lies in his ability to express, push boundaries, and ask pressing questions—as he does with his new song, “Change My Way.”
Denson took time out to speak with This Week on MV ahead of the upcoming Beach Road Weekend.
TW: You are a multi-faceted, multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter. That said, are you a sax player that sings or a singer that plays a couple of instruments?
KD: Without question, I am definitely a sax player that sings.
TW: What can you tell me about your instruments? Are you loyal to a certain brand or at loyal to a certain sax?
KD: For sure. My sax is my baby. I have a circa ‘58 and circa ‘68 that I use for alto and tenor. I also have a 1927-28 that I finally got around to getting refurbished. When it comes to horns, you won’t find musicians jumping around. That compares to say Keith (Richards of the Stones), who has 85 guitars. And no–he is not a guitar basher.
TW: What songs do you perform most frequently and how has your music evolved over the years?
KD: We are playing a lot of new stuff. A lot of songs that are on our new album, “Gnomes and Badgers.” I’m Your Biggest Fan, Time to Pray, Can We Trade, and Change My Way are on our playlist right now.
TW: Your new song, “Change My Way” is one of those songs that stays with you and you have on repeat. There are some very powerful messages in the lyrics. What was the impetus behind the song and what do you want people to fell when they listen to it?
KD: That song came out of frustration at the Church and seeing those we trust stray so far away from all the good, kindness, and charity we were bought up to believe in. These people have turned so far away from all that by supporting the right-wing rank-and-file Christians who are cheering on some really bad people. It is a climate they are now fostering. It has got to change. That is what I want people to feel—to change.
TW: You have performed with Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones—it doesn’t get much bigger than that for a musician. Is there an artist you would like to collaborate with?
KD: I am very happy now with my band and I enjoy writing with Anders (Osborne). But if I could turn back the clock a bit, I would love to write with Joni Mitchell. I am a big, big, big Joni Mitchell fan.
TW: Is this your first visit to MV and what would you like
to do while you are here?
KD: I have been to the Vineyard several times. I have some good friends there. What I like best about coming to the Vineyard is hanging out with those good friends. That’s a good time.
TW: Any last words?
KD. Take a listen to the new album. I am proud of it.
For tickets and more information on Beach Road Weekend, visit https://www.beachroadweekend.com
