Biography

The Powers That Be started in 2004 as the brain child of bass player Dave Gantenbein, and his friend Dean Claeys (Sol Americano, Passenger) – a soulful singer/saxophonist. They asked themselves three simple questions: “What if, we just made the band we always wanted to be in – fun, funky, not afraid to bend genres, take risks, or improvise? What if we got some great players together to help write the kind of songs we love to hear when we go out to get our groove on?”

Seven years later, the answer to these questions has produced a diverse, talented ensemble of players that work together to create a dynamic blend of old-school funk, R&B, soul, and Latin music, which they mix up with the improv sensibilities of the acid jazz and jam band scenes. With the dynamic vocal presence of Judy Padilla expect music that moves your body and your soul. The songs are rounded out by the rich accompaniments of Patrick Petzel on a swirling array of keyboard sounds, the blistering guitar work of Kenji Matsui, and the driving saxophone presence of Alex Scammon (Justin Anchetta, Frobeck). No two Powers That Be shows are ever quite the same, except they’ll always have the audience on their feet, locked deep into the groove.