Groovy basslines, boisterous horns, and sultry vocals—a sonic combination that can cause quite a stir on the dancefloor. Add in some fresh beats along with a juicy melody and you’ve got yourself an aural feast at which a jazzy, funkalicious hip-hop-infused experience awaits you.
Busty and the Bass is a nine-member electro-soul band that originated at McGill University’s jazz school in Montreal, Canada. Scott Bevins (trumpet), Mike McCann (trumpet), Chris Vincent (trombone), Nick Ferraro (alto sax, vocals), Louis Stein (guitar), Milo Johnson (bass), Julian Trivers (drums), Eric Haynes (piano, keyboards), and Alistair Blu (keyboards, synth, vocals) met in 2011 during their first week of classes. What began as casual jam sessions between peers soon turned into house party gigs and eventually escalated into performing live across the U.S., Europe and Canada. Discovering this kind of musical chemistry with such a large group in a short span of time is more than just luck—it’s a calling.
The early days of recording in their so-called “busty basement” consisted of sonic experimentation, solidifying their bond as an ensemble, and having fun. Their joy is the tenth member of the band and is not only apparent in their sound but also in a music video which features a home-session cover of Macy Gray’s “I Try.” Though having fun is still an integral part of Busty and the Bass’s creative process, they have honed in on their signature sound while tightening up their musicianship.
The track “Up Top” is the first single off of their debut full length album which has an unconfirmed 2017 release date. Though they have previously released three EPs, this upcoming record will feature a more cohesive and polished collection of songs. While their skills and focus have evolved, fans can still expect to hear their irresistible style of upbeat electro-soul, hip hop, jazz and funk. They are currently on their first full U.S. tour that includes international dates in Denmark and England.