*Spaceheater’s Blast Furnace

“Spaceheater’s Blast Furnace is one of the very few groups out there that are able to pair a strong sense of groove and motion with musical sophistication. Evan Francis is a Bad Mother….”
-Taylor Eigsti, Grammy nominated pianist/composer

Other main photo Spaceheater-Indie-Pano-Photo-Bill-Evans

Live @ the Indy, SF 2009

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Spaceheater began as a duo, Bill M. producing pulsating beats with Evan’s flutes, saxes & clarinets providing melody and harmony. Their debut release, “The Record”, was a successful 2006 album on Alpha Pup Records that received strong sales and strong sales and topped charts at independent/college radio stations in North America and Europe, as well as iTunes.

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“The Record’ is easily the best album I’ve heard this year. It’s so effortlessly hip, funky, interesting and fun simultaneously. It’s a joy to listen to and a joy to play on the radio.”
-Seth Samuels, Jazz Director WOBC FM

Spaceheater’s Blast Furnace is a current phase of the group and is a rhythmically active six piece ensemble that presents melodic and tight horns over an organic patchwork of afro-latin and hip hop rhythms. The new self-titled record is now out on Ropeadope Records, was recently reviewed in the East Bay Express and nominated for best jazz in the SF Weekly Music Awards. In Late 2009, the band was fortunate to perform a tribute to the great Rahsaan Roland Kirk in the SF Jazz Hot Plate Concert Series.

The music is mainly composed and arranged by Evan Francis, a member of the original duo who has made his way performing and recording with a diverse list of musical luminaries: Stevie Wondaer, Billy Higgins, JBoogie’s Dubtronic Science, Taylor Eigsti, Christina Aguilera, Lyrics Born, Dr. Art Davis, Mikey Dread, John Clayton, Mike Keneally, Prince Buster, The Shotgun Wedding Hip Hop Symphony and more. The music on this album is representative of Evan’s background in afro-latin music, especially in the realm of modern Cuban dance music.

As a band, Spaceheater’s Blast Furnace has worked hard to earn support from audiences in and around the San Francisco Bay area, featuring the electro acoustic-laced drumming of Gerald “pDubL” Korte (The shotgun Wedding Quintet) and the deep pocket of Josh Harion the bass, both talented rhythmistswho have backed up artists like Lyrics Born and Peter Rowan. This album also features the work of young trombonist Garrett Smith, who’s impressive resume of employers includes Prince, Maceo Parker, George Clinton and many more. Spaceheater has been fortunate to have live and in-studio associations with artists like Kneebody, Kev Choice, Daedelus, Abstract Rude, Gavin Grant, Mochipet and Senica. Read More from a great blog on us!

photo by: Lauren Stower. Left to Right ( Tommy Folen, Matt Lucas, Patrick Korte, Evan Francis, Kacey Knudsen, Marcus Stephens)

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