Heavy G and the Lost Art of Groove

Today’s music just isn’t what it used to be.

Sure, it has its share of catchy hits that can get someone to

shake it like a Polaroid picture or make a person desperately crave

a milkshake, but it seems as though artists are more concerned with

getting crunk rather than actually being good.

Enter Heavy G and the Boogaloo Communicators, the saviors of the

lost art of groove.

Heavy G and the Boogaloo Communicators is lead by Javier “Heavy

G” Gonzalez, a CSU Spanish professor, who refined his jazz chops

under the wing of Hammond B-3 Organ guru John “The General”

Patton.

Formerly the leader of United Dope Front, Gonzalez has been

surrounded by music since he was brought into this world. His

father is a pianist and composer, who recently retired from a

professorship at CU where he taught composition and theory.

After watching the Woodstock movie as a teenager, Gonzalez

realized that he wanted to be a musician. He picked up guitar as a

freshman in college and formed his first band, “The Green Horns,”

in 1991.

“After we formed the band, we started gigging pretty much right

away,” said Gonzalez. “I went to school in Greeley and there wasn’t

much to do there, so I was pretty dedicated to the guitar.”

From 1994 to 1998, Heavy G played in numerous bands in Boulder

before founding the groundbreaking group United Dope Front, which

he recently left.

UDF was haled one of the first groups to integrate the element

of a live DJ with the worlds of jazz and funk, paving the way for

artists like DJ Logic and the Disco Biscuits, Gonzalez said.

“Bands trying to break on to the scene need to find their own

voice, something unique,” Gonzalez said. “Otherwise, you’ll just

end up sounding like all the other groups out there and no one will

make an effort to come and see you.”

Having recently left UDF, Heavy G has made the Boogaloo

Communicators his sole focus.

The group’s debut CD, “Makin’ It Happen,” is filled with

organ-driven jazz numbers woven together by intricate saxophone and

guitar solos and grounded by drums that keep the rhythm steady and

soulful.

According to Gonzalez, while the Boogaloo Communicators’ style

is grounded in the roots of jazz, they still intend to bring their

own groove to the table.

“We’re a retro band by definition, but when we improvise, we

bring a lot of modern sounds to the music,” Gonzalez said.

Heavy G and the Boogaloo Communicators will bring the groove

back to the Aggie Theater on March 13, at a benefit for sustainable

living. The night will also include sets by Listen and 3 Peas.

Gonzalez is not afraid to admit that his band has something to

bring to the table.

“We have a groove,” Gonzalez said. “You can just listen for the

solos or for the groove. You can tap your toes or you can dance.

Whatever it is, we’re still coming from jazz roots.”