jam session

Jelly Bread

by Kenny Bissett

Jelly Bread JULY 8

the Wingfield Park amphitheater amphitheater

opening act: Bazooka Zoo

PHOTO/KENNY BISSETT “We are Jelly Bread and we’re happy to be home,” guitarist/vocalist Dave Berry announced to the crowd before kicking off the show at the Great Basin Brewing Company in downtown Sparks. As soon as Jelly Bread broke into their set, nearly everyone in the crowd began moving. Toes started tapping; heads began bobbing and a few people got out of chairs and to start dancing to the funky blend of musical styles that typify Jelly Bread’s distinctive sound.

“Even though we can really jam out, it’s still about the funk,” said Eric Matlock, Jelly Bread’s keyboard and talk box player. “It’s about good songwriting. It’s about good lyrics … it’s eclectic.”

With styles ranging from twangy roots rock and funk fusion to gospel-inspired harmonies and shrieking church organ and lap steel guitar, Jelly Bread’s soulful sound is invigorating and fresh—but is deeply rooted in American musical tradition.

Since forming Jelly Bread in 2008, founding members Berry and Cliff Porter, drummer/ vocalist, have witnessed vast changes in not only the band’s lineup, but in their development as songwriters and musicians. Jelly Bread’s 2015 album, Here, There and Everywhere was “more of a collaboration,” said Berry. “The last few albums were a lot of my own stuff. Now we’re integrating a lot more. I’m looking forward to a new album. Hopefully we will get one out this year.”

After an extensive nationwide tour for their 2015 record, the members of Jelly Bread have refocused their priorities and added bassist Errick Lewis to their roster. Lewis—who was Erykah Badu’s musical director for three years and has worked with a variety of musical giants including Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan—is a formidable addition to Jelly Bread’s sound and style.

“I think with me being involved, it’s going to change a lot of the dynamics in this band,” Lewis said. “Production is what I do … I know I can bring something to the table.”

“Errick is awesome,” Berry said. “It’s nice to have a Grammy nominated producer playing bass with you, if you know what I mean.”

Lewis recently moved from Portland to Reno to join Jelly Bread on their 2016 summer tour as a full-time band member. During his first time playing to a live audience with Jelly Bread, Lewis wowed the crowd gathered in Victorian Square with sweetly funky bass solos.

“Errick is new with us, so we’ve been rehearsing a lot,” Berry said. “We’ve been talking about just taking five days and holing up somewhere and working on new stuff, because it’s hard to write and record new stuff when we’re gigging so much. Last year, we put almost 20 thousand miles on the road. This summer we’re staying Colorado West and all the festivals we’ve got lined up for the summer.”

Lewis is not the only top-tier musician to be drawn into Jelly Bread’s sticky sweet lineup. Lead guitarist Sean Lehe told a similar story about leaving other musical pursuits to join Jelly Bread nearly a year ago.

“I had already given my notice to the band that I was working for that I wasn’t going to go on the road,” Lehe said. “I wanted to do my own thing because I haven’t in so long, and then Dave called me up and I was like, ‘Damn it. I like these guys.’ I don’t want a job, but you gotta go with what you like.”

According to Berry, a live album of the current lineup of the band is “in the works,” and the band hopes to record a new studio album sometime later this year. “Sean and Errick together, they’re both very capable,” Matlock said. “They both have that tastiness that is going to help change and evolve us into a very connected band.”

Jelly Bread is kicking off their Summer festival tour on June 18 at 4 Peaks Music Festival in Bend, Oregon but won’t be back in the Reno area until July 17, when they will be playing in Tahoe City as part of the Commons Beach Music Series. They’ll take the stage at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater for Rollin’ on the River on July 8. Ω