The Prophets In The City

A new collaboration between old friends, The Bogie Band featuring Joe Russo merges tenor saxophonist Stuart Bogie's fiery arrangements with Russo's dynamic drumming. Utilizing only wind and percussion instruments, they are joined by a supporting cast of musicians whose resumes run through some of New York City's most beloved bands, including Antibalas, The Dap-Kings, Red Barat, Budos Band, St. Vincent and David Byrne's American Utopia. The resulting efforts captured on The Prophets In The City is riotous and jubilant, pushing the boundaries of wind music. "The music we've created here revels in the human mysteries that unfold in New York City, basking in its connections, ironies, and myths," explains Bogie. "Through observing its humanity, we hope to invoke the underlying world of the spirits." Indeed, The Prophets In The City presents a soundtrack to life in NYC that is at once ancient and immediate. The collection's nine tracks paint images of crowded streets, joy and fury together on the sidewalk, golden light shining through scaffolding, and characters that carry mysteries and truths in their hearts. The dynamic arrangements are built on the propulsion of Russo's drumming, alternating through transcendental minimalism, raucous humor and revelatory wonder; passages of bold gleaming brass ring back and forth in overtone rich harmonies, conjuring new melody in the listener's imagination. "These are deep, thoughtful, beautiful and powerful compositions that could have only come from the mind and heart of Stuart Bogie," says Russo. "I'm so proud of this record and can’t wait to share it with the world."