Beats & Bobs Vol.2 out now on R2 Records!
KARIZMA
The group Karizma is no stranger to music audiences all over the world. Founded in 1975 by keyboardist David Garfield, Karizma has delighted music lovers of all ages with its innovative jazz-fusion sound expertly blended with exotic world beats. Originally playing to standing room only crowds in the clubs of L.A. including the world famous Baked Potato, Karizma established a loyal following that has expanded across the globe.
In addition to founder David Garfield, band members have included Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau, Carlos Vega, Jimmy Johnson and Lenny Castro, who have all gone on to become some of the most respected and sought after musicians in today’s competitive music industry. Most of the musicians who have played with Karizma at one time or another have become studio or touring legends in their own right, leading to the interesting dilemma of the band taking occasional hiatuses from performing and recording—followed by years of resurrection and Renaissance.
Karizma’s progressive, multi-faceted musical style has paved the way for and influenced many bands, such as contemporary jazz supergroups The Rippingtons, and Vulfpeck. The music has been mostly instrumental, but several of their recordings feature guest vocalists such as Phil Perry. Some other notable guest musicians that have recorded with Karizma include Michael Brecker, Tom Scott, Jeff Porcaro, Nathan East, Steve Lukather, Ernie Watts, Neil Larsen, and David Paich.
The fans proved that the sound and appeal of the band is timeless as their much anticipated 30th Anniversary Tour in Japan was wildly successful, playing to sold-out audiences across the country. They also recorded and released their performance as “Live at Motion Blue,” which was met with great enthusiasm from their fans worldwide.
Upon returning from that tour, the band recorded Perfect Harmony, their expansive, extraordinarily ambitious seventh recording, with the expert engineering support of Steve Sykes and multiple Grammy Award winner Al Schmitt. The three CD set included new studio tracks plus bonus cuts comprised of older demos and live performances ranging from the late 70s through the 2000’s and includes explosive performances from the multitude of musicians who have been part of the ongoing Karizma experience at one time or another. This roster includes drummers Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeff Porcaro, Carlos Vega and Oscar Seaton; guitarists Michael Landau, James Harrah and Tim Pierce; bassists Jimmy Johnson, Abraham Laboriel, Neil Stubenhaus, John Peña and Dean Cortez; saxophonists Steve Tavaglione and Larry Klimas; trumpeter/flugelhornist Walt Fowler; trombonist Bruce Fowler; and percussionist Lenny Castro.
Karizma’s other recordings include Dream Come True (1983), Cuba (1986), All The Way Live (1987), Forever in the Arms of Love (1989), Document (2000) - which was one of the Top 10 Fusion CDs in Japan, Lost and Found (2001), Pefect Harmony (2012), Live at Motion Blue (2014), and Live At The Baked Potato Featuring Jeff Porcaro (2014).
The band has toured extensively over the years, including performances in Europe (2000, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010) and Japan and Asia (1987, 1991, 2002, 2005 and 2009); they were also featured artists at the 2000 Modern Drummer Festival in New York.
Currently, the band has reformed yet again with 2 dynamic guitarists Toshi Yanagi & James Harrah, as well as veteran members Brandon Fields (sax), Jimmy Earl (bass) Lenny Castro (drums & percussion) and founding member David Garfield at the helm on keyboards!
For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit: www.davidgarfield.com
To see the Karizma documentary and video footage visit: www.youtube.com/@david.garfield
