The local jazzy funk band Ubergruv played at Jordan Landing Sept. 5. It was a fun filled evening with great music. Ubergruv gets Salt Lake City moving with its jazzy, funky, Latin spice music. 

The name is what it implies according to the group. Uber (greatest, highest, most extreme) and Gruv (groovy music that causes spontaneous bodily actions like fingers snappin’, toes tappin’, hands clappin’, and heads bobbin’). 

Ubergruv has been together for 15 months now. Each band member has a long, well-seasoned history of music. 

The band members have an array of musical talent. The multi-talented Kevin Flynn is an instrumentalist playing soprano, tenor, alto, baritone saxes, as well as flute, harmonica and various percussion instruments. Flynn recently played in The Fabulous Flynn’stones and his jazz quartet Svengali. 

“We like to play tunes with a strong melody and add our own improvisations, which are essentially spontaneous compositions, on the fly. Each soloist tells a story by doing this, which can sometimes lead to surprising emotional peaks and exUBERance,” Flynn said.

Troy Horton plays guitar and bass. Troy graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance in 1999. He has played in local bands Sound Garden, Ultra Chill and Hectic Hobo. He has recently played with the Flynn’stones. He loves all styles of music, but he especially enjoys jazz and funk. 

Dean Athens is a native to Utah. He plays the bass in a variety of different styles and plays with several local artists. He enjoys moving his listeners by entertaining them and inspiring them to move.

Tom Scharlow has been involved in music his whole life. He’s been playing in Utah since 1977. Tom has played in Remarkable Lucid and The Golden Voices Gospel Ensemble. He has played at Ciscero’s in Park City, a house band in Park City named Powder and Slick Rock Gypsies. He recently played with The Fabulous Flynn’stones. Scharlow is excited to play drums for Ubergruv.

“Ubergruv loves being part of the local music scene in Salt Lake. They are grateful for the beautiful outdoor venues available,” Scharlow said.

Jeff Pickett is a native of Utah. He has been playing professional piano since he was 15 years old. He enjoys playing with groups because of the conversations the musicians have while playing music together. His music includes a little of everything. He especially has a love for jazz, classical Spanish flamenco and Brazilian. Pickett has been able to play with top jazz musicians such as Mambo Jumbo, Woody James Quartet, Earl and the Apostles, Rumba Libre and the great jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. 

Ubergruv plays at Excellence in the Community concerts and the Gallivan Event centers, bringing music to audiences while they dance, toe tap and hand clap. 

To find out more information about this jazzy funk band, go to ubergruv.com. λ