The Nth Power is a funky, jazz fusion band that has taken a step forward with their fourth studio album, the just released Never Alone. The project was largely written during two immersive sessions at a remote farmhouse in Colchester, Vermont, at the invitation of Phish bassist Mike Gordon. One late-night session during a lunar eclipse became part of the album’s atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of connection between environment, energy, and performance. Additional recording was done in Brooklyn, Asheville, New Orleans, and Texas. The geographical variety and musical variety are apparent in the album’s sound.
“I want it to sound like me. All of the information I have gathered through the years has been from all the greats. So, I feel like that is what you hear. People are like, this is reggae and this is jazz and this is funk and this is rock and this is gospel and this is folk and it is all of those things,” drummer Nikki Glaspie said. Glaspie has certainly played with some greats, including five years as Beyonce’s touring drummer and time with Maceo Parker, Dumpstaphunk, and Snarky Puppy, a band for whom The Nth Power recently opened some shows.
The band’s album and song titles and lyrics convey uplifting and inclusive messages. “We’re just trying to spread a real positive, healing experience with our art and our talents and our music. Every show we see that happen and we’re really grateful for that. We’ve been together for 14 years and we’re extremely close. Being able to stay together and put in that work and that communication and that love over the years has brought us to the point that we’re making the best music of our lives and excited to keep doing that,” said guitarist and singer Nick Cassarino. The Brooklyn resident Cassarino brings a rich and diverse background to the band as well, including stints with Christian McBride, Big Daddy Kane, and Babyface.
The Nth Power formed through jam sessions in New Orleans in 2012. “New Orleans is like our spiritual home,” Glaspie said, “We do a lot of work and writing and recording down there.” They recently revisited the city for several gigs around the two weeks of Jazz Fest. That N’awlins thread has been a constant through their sound over the years. The Nth Power will bring their power trio lineup (with bassist Nate Edgar) to the area on May 30 at Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey (a special evening show for the campers and King Crawfish Crewe only). They will also appear May 31 at The Iridium in New York.
Watch the full video interview here:
