ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA GERSTEIN | SHOW DATE: November 22, 2024

**Interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity**

For me, this show was a personal highlight—getting to see the incredible Karl Denson and Robert Walter work their magic alongside the rest of the Greyboy Allstars is a rare opportunity. With the crowd packed into The New Parish in Oakland, the night kicked off with a high-energy vibe that didn’t let up until the final note.

The band took the stage to thunderous applause. Each member—Karl Denson (saxophone, flute, vocals), Robert Walter (keys), Elgin Park (guitar), Chris Stillwell (bass), and Aaron Redfield (drums)—brought their unique energy to create an electrifying performance.

I caught up with Robert Walter for a mini-interview after the show. Here’s a look at our conversation, where we dove deeper into his thoughts on the Bay Area, the band’s evolution, and the role of the BISS List in supporting live music:

Bay Area Connection:
Miss BISS:  What is it about the Bay Area crowd that keeps you coming back? What are your most memorable moments from past performances here?

RW: “Our first ever GBA show was at the Elbo Room in San Francisco. The Bay Area has always been kind of an honorary home base for us. Town Called Earth was recorded at Hyde Street in the Tenderloin. In the early 1990s, there was already a very cool scene happening around Groove Merchant records and the Ubiquity/Luv ‘N Haight labels. It was the first place that really got what we were trying to do musically and has continued to be one of our favorite places to play.”

KD: “The Bay Area is where it all started. We played our first show with the Greyboy Allstars in December 1993, and we haven’t stopped coming back since. It’s been one of three or four consistent markets for me throughout my entire career. Some of the best rooms in the country are there, and the people have allowed us to experiment and grow right in front of them. Playing the Fillmore multiple times is a huge achievement for me. We’ve sold it out a few times too.”

His connection to the Bay Area was clear throughout the night, as his soulful and experimental playing anchored many of the band’s most memorable moments.

Legacy and Evolution:
Miss BISS: Having been together for decades, how do you see the band’s sound evolving, and what keeps the music fresh for you?

KD: “We have always been very good at editing each other musically. It’s a quality that keeps the band’s style intact. We also individually work very hard on our instruments. Over time, that continues to give the music a lift. That, along with the strength of our individual and collective writing, is what keeps us moving forward.”

RW: “We started as more of a tribute to the great funky music we liked from the 60s and 70s. As time has gone on, I think we have grown into our influences in a more honest way. Less imitation and more inspiration. We’ve started to play based upon our own life experiences and not emulate our favorite records. It helps that so much of the sets are improvised. Everyone has really developed unique personal voices by now.”

Karl’s solos epitomized this evolution, blending jazz traditions with raw, contemporary energy.

Each band member had moments to shine, from Elgin’s soulful guitar riffs to Chris’s funky basslines and Aaron’s dynamic drumming.

Balancing Acts:
Miss BISS: You play in multiple bands. How do you shift gears creatively between projects, and what’s the key to maintaining your unique voice across different collaborations?

RW: “I’ve stopped trying to be good at everything. I try to just play what feels true to me, and hopefully, if someone wants me on their gig, that’s what they’re looking for. If the music is really great, it’s easy to both be yourself and be respectful to the artist or composer you are working with.”

KD: “It’s all just music. I’m always just putting my writer’s hat on and trying to serve the music as I hear it in the moment.”

The band’s setlist included fan favorites, extended jams, and covers that had the audience grooving nonstop. One standout moment was their improvisation, where each musician’s personal voice came through.

Creative Exploration:
Miss BISS: Robert, your work as a keyboardist is both foundational and experimental. How do you strike a balance between staying true to the groove and pushing boundaries?

RW: “It’s very much true to the spirit of American music to always be experimenting. Perhaps it’s counterintuitive, but it’s actually much more likely to come up with new and original ideas if you are familiar with the history and traditions of our culture. Then you know what you are reacting to. I’ve realized the most influential artists from every period were always pretty freaky and transgressive. So I’m always searching for something I can’t understand yet, but through the filter of being a fan and student of all music.”

Multi-Instrument Mastery
Miss BISS: Karl, you’re known for your versatility. How does playing multiple instruments shape your approach to songwriting and performance?

KD: “Playing multiple instruments allows me to spread myself out and give the music more depth. I like to think of myself as a mini orchestra.”

BISS List Connection: The evening also held a special significance for me personally. Over the years, the BISS List has supported countless artists like the Greyboy Allstars so I had to ask them both….

Miss BISS: How has your experience been with the BISS List and its owner, Pamela Gerstein?

RW:“I have happily been seeing Pamela at shows for many years now. It makes all the difference for a music scene to have someone with consistent focus and support for both emerging and veteran musicians. Live original music is in a weird place now. BISS List is part of the reason that the Bay Area continues to have a vital community of listeners.”

KD: “I’m not much of an online creature, but I do know Pamela [has been a big supporter of live music in the Bay Area]. It’s always a pleasure when I get to see her at shows.”

Ending the night on a high note, the Greyboy Allstars left the stage to a roaring crowd.

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