"Ferocity," according to keyboardist Adam Klipple '92. "It's like a many-headed bomb."
Klipple will provide the Dartmouth community the chance to see for themselves when he serves as guest artist this Saturday at the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble's concert, "Big Band Funk," which will fuse the funk songs of Joe Bowie with big band instrumentation.
Bowie's band, Defunkt, describes itself on its website as "a medicine for the suffering humanity, a pathway for the funky emancipation of your soul, and a mirror to expose your emotions of insecurity."
Defunckt has influenced a variety of bands, such as the wildly popular Red Hot Chili Peppers, in its nearly 30-year history.
Bowie described "Big Band Funk" as high energy and interactive.
"It's going to be a big dance party," Bowie said. "We got a real revue happening."
Bowie will be singing and playing trombone and congas during the show. Along with Klipple, he will be joined by drummer Tobias Ralph. All three were members of the latest incarnation of Defunkt. Barbary Coast Director Don Glasgo has also been involved with Defunkt over the years.
The Barbary Coast traditionally invites master musicians to work with the students the week before the show. According to Glasgo, having Bowie for "Big Band Funk" is a privilege.
"To have three master musicians come in and work with the band for a week is almost unheard of," Glasgo said. "It's a life-changing experience over four years."
At a rehearsal on Tuesday, Feb. 5, the engagement between the guest artists and students was intense. As the professionals played with the student ensemble, they offered feedback and kept the energy level high.
As the band rehearsed lightning-infused "Make Them Dance," Bowie roared into the microphone and the song finished in a bombastic crescendo.
All parties stress that vitality is key to funk. While other college jazz bands often stick to playing jazz standards, the Barbary Coast focuses on what Bowie calls music's "best kept secrets."
During his years at Dartmouth Klipple also had the opportunity to play with cutting-edge musicians in the Barbary Coast. Coming back to Hanover this week has allowed him to return the favor.
"It really changed my view of music," Klipple said. "It was the opening up moment of all these really wild things."
Klipple's position as an alumnus heightens his impact. Bowie stressed how Klipple's success in the music industry can inspire Dartmouth students because most graduates are hesitant to enter the field.
"If I went here I would be impressed if a former student came back and really kicked my ass on my instrument," Bowie said.
Saturday's concert should have a broad appeal given its infectious and dance-able grooves. Ralph believes that Big Band Funk demonstrates how music can achieve high energy without the electronic production that is so ubiquitous in today's music.
"Kids will be exposed to music they might not normally listen to," Ralph said.
Big Band Funk is a meeting of the funk legend Defunkt and the talent of the Barbary Coast. Impromptu yet cohesive, the show highlights influential but often overlooked sounds. The live experience cannot be replicated or predicted.
"We don't even know what is going to happen," Klipple said.
The Barbary Coast will perform Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in Spaulding Auditorium.