The Wayward Monks is a groundbreaking band that mixes instrumental jazz and progressive rock in cerebral, yet accessible ways. The compositions are rhythmically varied and distinctively melodic. Their sound incorporates straight-ahead rock (Jubilation and Night Crawlers) funk (Chatterbox), driving fusion (Pickup, Fire Dance Polyunsaturated ), reggae (Rasta Pasta), jazz (Last Call, Hopalong Hannah, Oblivion) and new age-acoustic (Solitude, Tread Lightly, Pastural). 

We use jams to keep listeners attentive with changing dynamics, spontaneity, and instrumental virtuosity. Our improvisations create a driving cauldron of sound and weave a dynamic, exciting aural landscape. Dan Zalles's guitar and trumpet lines weave their way around Mike Disch's compelling bass lines and Jason Ravitz's organ and piano textures and leads, driven by the powerful, creative, and seamless Jeremy DeGroot on drums. You never know what to expect when they get going.

 Influences:

Though The Wayward Monks are truly unique and original, you might hear traces of Phish, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, and Miles Davis in their sound. 

The Wayward Monks came together in the late Fall of 2001, reuniting Jeremy and Dan who played together ten years ago in the Reckless Pedestrians, a popular rock band that performed regularly at Berkeley's Starry Plough and the Bear's Lair, and backed Chris Isaak, among others. More recently Jeremy drummed in the popular JDogs, which mixed jazz grooves and hip hop. 

Dan has composed close to 100 songs and has been the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for a number of Bay Area Bands, starting with the 80's punk/new wave outfit British Wire Gauge. A BWG song called "Pray TV" was heavily played and promoted on radio station KFJC.

 Jason is an accomplished keyboardist and drummer. He has performed on streets and stages in his home of Detroit, across New England, in New Orleans, and in California in multi-cultural performance art groups, jazz, rock, country, reggae bands and a japanese-influenced rock band in southern California. 

Mike is from Austin, Texas and was the bassist of choice in the popular Bay Area jam band Shady Lady. 

Because we are gigging so much, we can't keep this page up to date.

For a current list of gigs try:

Myspace or sign up at our "official" site where you can also get free MP3s.

* Sat, Aug 25, 2006, Dana Street Roasting Co. 755 West Dana St., Mountain View, 8:30

Request Wayward Monks on Mondays 6 - 7 on The Next Big Thing! The KALX studio call-in number is: (510) 642-5259.

Contact: Dan Zalles
650-387-5758
danzalles@stanfordalumni.org
or jason@bie.org

See OFFICIAL WEBSITE for up to date information