Marc Brownstein will make his return to the stage at Denver Comes Alive after undergoing surgery to repair a detached retina in his eye.
Following the announcement that Brownstein’s surgery would force The Disco Biscuits to postpone four January tour dates, the bassist’s guest-filled Denver Comes Alive appearance with his funk-focused side project, Star Kitchen, was thrown into question.
On Tuesday, however, Brownie shared an update on his recovery and confirmed that he will, indeed, be back in action for Star Kitchen & Friends and Denver Comes Alive this Friday, January 31st at the Mission Ballroom in Denver. Read Brownie’s post about his recovery process below:
Today was my two week check up: I’ve tried to stay positive and do everything they told me so I could heal in time for the shows this weekend, knowing all the while I wouldn’t know for sure until today. Good news!!! I can play the shows this week! [Denver Comes Alive] see you Friday! Winter Park see you Saturday!
COLORADO i will see you soon!
Ps: I was cleared to play but I wasn’t cleared to dance or bob my head, so if it seems like I’m not into it, I’m just trying to keep my retina in place while it continues to heal.
Even before the uncertain saga of Brownstein’s detached retina, we had been eagerly anticipating this very special Star Kitchen & Friends performance. Since forming in 2018, Star Kitchen—comprised of Brownstein, guitarist Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band), keyboardist Rob Marscher (Matisyahu), and drummer Marlon Lewis (Lauryn Hill, John Legend)—have been hosting funk-driven dance parties across the country (and beyond).
While Marc Brownstein is a veteran of every past edition of Denver Comes Alive’s east coast predecessor, Brooklyn Comes Alive, this will mark the first appearance at one of the beloved musical mix-and-match events for Star Kitchen—a band originally created with events like these in mind.
As Brownie tells Live For Live Music, “It has been such an honor to be included in all of the ‘Comes Alive’ events so far. Star Kitchen, a band that was expressly developed because of and with Comes Alive in mind, getting to play at the Mission for the inaugural Denver Comes Alive event, this is just a mind-blowing sequence of events.”
Tailor-made for exciting onstage collaborations, Star Kitchen’s roster of past guests includes Eric Krasno (Soulive), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), Robert Randolph, Karl Denson, Shira Elias (Turkuaz), Chill Moody, Lady Alma, Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits), and many more.
For the Star Kitchen & Friends Denver Comes Alive event, the core quartet will add to their list of live collaborators with keyboardist/producer Borahm Lee (Pretty Lights Live, Break Science), trumpeter Gabe Mervine (formerly The Motet), and saxophonist Nicholas Gerlach (Michal Menert).
Of course, as is the nature of Denver Comes Alive, it’s safe to assume that the group of “friends” will grow past the artists billed once the band hits the stage. With a mind-blowing cast of musicians on hand for Denver Comes Alive, you never know who might make their way on stage. For a full breakdown of who will be in the building at the Mission Ballroom on Friday, January 31st, head here.
While the group largely sticks to classic funk covers and various out-of-left-field song selections, Brownstein announced at the band’s late-night show at Sony Hall in New York City December 29th that the ensemble had written some original songs. They even debuted a couple of them during the performance. Watch full video of that guest-filled performance below.
Star Kitchen ft. James Casey, Natalie Cressman, Jennifer Hartswick, Eric Krasno, Aron Magner – Sony Hall – New York, NY – 12/29/19 – Full Video [Pro-Shot]
[Video: nugsnet]
Don’t miss Denver Comes Alive on January 31st at Denver’s Mission Ballroom featuring Star Kitchen & Friends and other collaborations like Oteil & Friends, Ghost-Live, and Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper: A Tribute To Art Neville & Dr. John. A limited amount of tickets are still available here.
