Next 11th & Grant features ‘70s soul w/ a modern twist-Paige & The People’s Band
On Thursday, November 15th at 7pm, Paige & The People’s Band bring their high-energy mix of funk, soul and rock to 11th & Grant with Eric Funk on MontanaPBS. The nine-piece, horn-powered and vocally charged group is quickly becoming a mainstay of the Montana music scene, showcasing the sound of ‘70s soul with a modern twist. The backup vocalists and horn section make the band reminiscent of groups like Cold Blood or Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings but with a contemporary feel. They pride themselves on playing diverse music from several genres, all infused with a generous dose of soul in every song.
Lead singer Paige Rasmussen is joined by a cast of legendary Montana musicians. Her brother and founding People’s Band member, Aaron Rasmussen, provides a rhythmic backbone to this dynamic group as drummer and vocalist. Mike “The Wizard” Kozeil adds electricity and imagination with his extraordinarily improvised key solos. Ben Johns brings class and a smoky allure with his warm and commanding saxophone. Orin Gunderson pops the top end with control of his ever-compelling trumpet. Casey George holds down the low end with a robust tone and vivid bass fills. Leah Hueser and Karla Vandersloot fill out the sound with skilled, exciting and sultry vocals, and Dan Bradner brightens the stage with his exceptional and inspired guitar.
The band dresses to impress, giving their performances a sense of occasion, then blasts the roof off with their big band, powerhouse sound. Members of Paige & The People’s Band have shared the stage with such musical legends as B.B. King, The Doobie Brothers, and Lyle Lovett. They have toured the United States and Europe and are bringing what they’ve loved and learned back to this electrifying group.
11th & Grant with Eric Funk is the premier outlet for music performance in Montana, seeking out the state’s most acclaimed, accomplished, and pioneering talent. The nine-time Emmy®-winning performance series also devotes significant time to each artist’s personal story, insights into their music and their approach to life, ultimately providing a deeper experience than a seat at a concert. Accomplished composer and musician Eric Funk serves as host and artistic director, hand selecting each performer from communities around the state to form a diverse series featuring genres from jazz to classical, country to zydeco, and rock to fusion.
Previous episodes of 11th & Grant are available to stream anytime at www.11thandgrant.com or on the 11th & Grant app. •
