What is Photon, and Why Do You Need to See Them?

What is Photon, and Why Do You Need to See Them?

There is just too much music.

That’s not really a complaint, just an observation. 30 years ago, we imagined that we could keep up with all the cool music. That illusion faded pretty quickly. There is just so much great music — everywhere you look and listen. For example, we just had the opportunity to “discover” Four80East, a Toronto duo who have been playing for three decades, in Largo last week: spectacular.

So what is Photon, and why should you see them? Photon are an electronic progressive jazz house collective featuring members of DOPAPOD, Thievery Corp, YAMN, and more. My first contact was in September of 2022, when Mike Bryant brought Photon to Dunedin Brewery for a two-night stand. The draw at the time for me was guitarist Chris Michetti (RAQ, Conspirator), who was added to the basic trio: Neal “Fro” Evans (DOPAPOD), drums; Dan Africano (Thievery Corp), bass; and Jimmy D (YAMN), all things keyboards. As it turned out, Africano could not make it, but local hero Vinny Svoboda was superb in relief.

I headed to the computer at the end of the first night to scribble this:

It was an evening of brilliant jamtronica, electronica, synth-drenched funk, and jammed-out prog rock (the four major food groups). James Charles Dunstan Jr., better known as Jimmy D, wrote all of the tunes. There is no way for me to overstate his mastery on electronic keyboards, especially synths. Let me put it this way: I never thought I would hear another keyboard player to match the prowess of George Duke. I am delighted to say I was wrong. Jimmy D. IS that man.

You should find out — anywhere, any time he is playing.

Dunstan, Africano, and Evans are heading to Dunedin Brewery this weekend for two shows in a wild three days of music all over the map. The trio will be joined by guitarist Tim Wendel and drummer/percussionist Jamie Newitt (The Heavy Pets, tiny.blips). Here is the schedule for Weekend with the Bulls:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

tiny.blips in the pub

Lot Lizards, Forty-Two, and Full Fledged Unit in the Moontower

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

DJ 45Revolver in the pub

Photon & Zero Context in the Moontower

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Photon and Brock Butler & Adam Perry of Perpetual Groove

Zero Context (Dunedin FL) is music that depends on the situation.

tiny.blips (Fort Lauderdale FL) is a creator of lofi, indie, soul and experimental beats based in South Florida by way of Delaware.

Visual Projection art all weekend by Nautilus Proj.

NEVER EVER EVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE PHOTON IN

WHATEVER PERMUTATION OR COMBINATION IS PLAYING.

Photon will also be at The Nest in Randolph NJ May 10 to celebrate Jimmy D’s birthday, and they’re dragging guitarist Tim Palmieri (Lotus, Kung Fu) into the mix!