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17: Fattburger -- "Evil Ways"

One of the most popular pop/jazz groups, Fattburger has been classified by some as "New Adult Contemporary Music," "contemporary jazz" or "smooth jazz." The San Diego-based unit has survived through many trends and still plays the same type of accessible funky music that was its original goal. Saxophonist Hollis Gentry, while in high school, led a group ("Power") that opened for Cannonball Adderley at a college concert in 1972. After graduating, Gentry toured with r&b; groups. He attended San Diego State University and during the second half of the 1970's had opportunities to play straightahead jazz with Bruce Cameron. When their last band broke up, Gentry and the other musicians (keyboardist Carl Evans, bassist Mark Hunter, drummer Kevin Koch and guitarist Steve Laury) went out on their own and became Fattburger. Tommy Aros in recent times joined the band as their percussionist and in the early 1990's when Laury started a solo career, Evan Marks became Fattburger's guitarist. Their first album (Fattburger) sold well and the band has been together ever since, recording for Golden Boy, Intima and Shanachie. � Scott Yanow