Tuesday Artist Spotlight: Ghost-Note (Snarky Puppy Side Project)

It’s not everyday you’ll find a top-tier band that’s driven completely by a rhythm section, and if you do, it takes a special type of group to engage its audience in the absence of melodically driven instruments like the piano or electric guitar. Add three Grammy Awards from Snarky Puppy to that type of rarity, and you have the one of a kind rhythmic musical project called Ghost-Note.

Comprised of Snarky Puppy-mates Robert “Sput” Searight on drums and Nate Werth on percussion, Ghost-Note is a group that delivers a totally unique live experience that strives to bring drums and percussion out of the shadows and into the limelight. Through complete musical dexterity the duo somehow manages to build percussive melodies, inspired by influences like the late Clyde Stubblefield of the James Brown Band, J Dilla, and the Beastie Boys.

Ghost-Note’s debut record, Fortified, was released two years ago in October of 2015 and includes features by Shaun Martin, Mark Lettieri, Nick Werth, and many other notable musicians. Based out of Dallas, the birthplace of Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note frequently rotates Dallas-area artists into their studio recordings and live shows, in turn offering this thriving musical hotbed an effective platform to garner some international attention. With main stage performances at upcoming summer festivals like Disc Jam and Pickathon in Oregon, Ghost-Note is starting to catch the attention of mass audiences, key promoters, and music critics alike.

“The musicianship of Searight and Werth is undeniable,” writes Live For Live Music, “a percussionist’s wildest dream.” This praise reflected itself in record sales when Fortified debuted at #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts. Word on the street is Ghost-Note is currently working on its sophomoric album with plans to release the record sometime in 2017. Given their track record of success with Snarky Puppy and this new project, I’d expect nothing short of a spectacular follow up with a top 5 iTunes Jazz Chart debut for record number two.

On Thursday, June 15th, Ghost-Note returns to DROM in New York City to showcase their unique percussive music. This is not the first time the duo has performed at this venue, so expect them to bring the heat to this familiar New York concert hall. With support from Progger and You Bred Raptors?, this really is one of those shows not to be missed. Reserve your tickets in advance here.