Words of congratulations are pouring in from all over the music industry, as Karl Denson has announced an opportunity to join The Rolling Stones, playing saxophone for nine shows on the band’s 14 On Fire tour in Australia and New Zealand.
For almost three decades, veteran saxophonist, Karl Denson, has gained legendary-status, performing alongside some of the most talented musicians in the business. In his earliest years, Denson toured with Lenny Kravitz‘s band before co-forming The Greyboy Allstars and his own group, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.
More recently, Denson has been seen playing an amazing array of gigs, not only with his own groups at festivals all over the nation, but also as part of the horn section in Slightly Stoopid. Denson has sat-in with tons of acts over the years and is known in the music world for his work with a list of acts, but he has also become known for playing one-offs or a short run of tribute sets. Over the recent past, Denson has been covering greats like the Beastie Boys, or Ray Charles in a set dubbed the Ray Charles Boogaloo Dance Party. Another one featuring the music of Rick James, called A Night of Rick James Bitch! as well as covering the entirety of the Rolling Stones album, Sticky Fingers.
The mulit-instrumentalist has developed a dense portfolio, one that resonates through many layers of the industry. Working with so many artists in so many styles, Denson has been able to cast a large net that seems to have caught the attention of huge music-icons.
According to reports from The San Diego Union-Tribune, on October 2nd, while rehearsing at home with fellow Slightly Stoopid saxophonist Daniel “Dela” Delacruz. Denson received a call from Lenny Kravtiz. “Somebody needs a sax player to go on road.”
After initially responding “I don’t think I’m the right guy” and explaining how he just finished a summer tour with Slightly Stoopid, Kravitz then told Denson he had put in a recommendation “I think you’ll want to take this, and that it was the Stones.”
Shortly after that, Denson sent out some samples of his music, including a recording of the aforementioned Stones cover set. They liked it and now Denson will fly across the globe this Friday to begin rehearsals with the Rock n’ Roll legends. Denson will be filling in a sax section replacing the band’s longtime collaborator Bobby Keys who is out due to illness as well as playing alongside Tim Ries, who has been playing on tours with the Stones since the 1990s. This stadium tour ‘down under’ starts at the end of October in Adelaide, Australia, playing through most of November.
Before the big call, Denson had planned a West Coast run with KDTU that included 6 shows spread through the last three weekends of October, as well as two Phish fall-tour after-shows. All 8 of these performances have been cancelled to tour with The Rolling Stones.
It has been announced that ALO will replace KDTU at the Post-Phish shows at SOhO Restaurant and Music Venue in Santa Barbara on 10/21 and 10/22. An announcement is forthcoming as to when the KDTU fall shows will be rescheduled.
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For more about Karl Denson, his music or information about his tour dates check out the detail below.
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Article By: Aaron Solomon
Photo By: Peter Monti
WATCH: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Cover “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin'” Live at Bear Creek Music Festival 2011
WATCH: “Closer To The Sun” ft. Karl Denson – Slightly Stoopid Live at Roberto’s TRI Studios