Dojo is a Kansas-based fusion trio featuring guitarist Brian Baggett, bassist Chris Handley, and drummer Luke Stone. Much of their music has the shimmery chord-plus-Holdsworthian shred approach that many other "local" fusion bands tend to have. I've heard several of these types of bands over the years, but as much as I love that style of music, it's often hard to tell one of these bands from another. Dojo, however, is possibly the most distinctive band of this ilk I've yet heard. What sets them apart is their overall melodic sense - Dojo's writing has a tunefulness that most other bands in the genre either don't have, or perhaps shy away from. On their latest album Studiojo, every track is dripping with great melodies. There are plenty of high-tech chops on display here as well, no question, but the melodicism is what will grab you first.
Most of the Studiojo tracks are built around Baggett's clean chordal guitar parts, with heavier riffs coming in at times to beef things up. Overall, the writing (which is solely credited to Baggett) has a Steve Morse-meets-Bill Connors sort of vibe. Baggett's high-gain guitar tones are well defined without being too fuzzy, and his clean tones are just gorgeous. Possessing awesome picking and legato chops, Baggett has what I would call a rock-fusion style. The title track provides a good display of what he can really do from a technical standpoint. The solo on this tune starts with a highly legato approach, before shifting gears into some insane picking. I love the odd time grooves in this piece also, and the great drum solo Stone provides at the end. Another standout track is "Muscle Shirt," which opens with a cool intro reminiscent of Joe Satriani's "Midnight" before settling into an smooth groove. Handley and Baggett both take nice solos on this one. The band takes things out on the aptly titled "Demented," but even here among the trippy mood swings, cool melodies are the driving force. Another favorite of mine is "Fusion Blue" - great staccato chords, a melody that sticks on your head, and long solos from everyone.
"Something She Said" is the lone ballad, and it's yet another example of great writing. The contour and rhythmic structure of the melodies here were obviously well thought-out, resulting in one of the most memorable tunes on the album. The album closes with a great piece called "The Ball," which is augmented nicely by Ken Lovern on keys. There's a definite Eric Johnson influence on this song, but it reminded me of Carl Verheyen's work as well.
As someone who listens to a lot of jazz rock fusion music, it's rare that I hear many melodies on a given album that stick with me the way, for example, a great TV or movie theme does. It seems as though harmony and improvisation are higher priorities for most fusion artists. And that's ok - cool chords, great solos, heavy grooves; I expect and enjoy these traits from this style of music. What I don't expect is what I hear throughout Studiojo - a tangible focus on melody. This album clearly shows that Dojo's writing chops are just as impressive as their playing. Highly recommended.
I’m a firm believer that we’re products of our environment. I find it fascinating how our surroundings can dictate so much in regards to our creative voice. The now is precious, who are we to run? The decision not to embrace the right now with honesty can be a debilitating conclusion for not only the artist(s) but for the beholder as well. I don’t know about you, but I want a win-win situation.
If honesty is the best policy, then Dojo’s third offering, Studiojo, is their best to date. By allowing life to mold the music, they’ve created the aforementioned win-win situation. The music presented in Studiojo is not just “look ma, no hand” music, these songs have life’s fingerprints all over them. Just as a lump of clay must stay on the potter’s wheel until the time is right, Dojo yields its voice to one greater until the time is right. The reward is great songwriting, soaring melodies and righteous virtuosity that are as wide open as the golden rolling plains of the Midwest.
DOJO members Brian Baggett and Luke Stone were recent guests on Jazz in the Afternoon with KC on KKFI 90.1FM in Kansas City, MO. Click to hear an mp3 of the interview:
What a fun CD! The band sounds absolutely great!It is very good music I am enjoying it a lot, but for me especially to listen to the first time it is very complex music.You have to pay attention because if not you kind of get lost only because to me it is complex music. I prefer complex over a simple melody. Regardless, the music is a lot of fun. It’s very well done.The quality is definitely on the higher-end side of the music end. Anyway, congratulations to the guys they have a fantastic sound going on and the new CD [Studiojo] sounds really, really good.So congratulations!
-Randy Allar December 5, 2008 The Fusion Show on WCSB 89.3 Cleveland, Ohio http://thefusionshow.com
Is highway star a cosmic thing? Let's go space trucking! These days clever means sophisticated and sophisticated all too often means boring, but with a Japanese word meaning "Place of the Way" for a name, this Kansas City trio find their Zen in transparent, light fusion that falls between Steve Howe and John McLaughlin, and is all the better for it. In the opening "One Key" Brian Baggett stacks his layered guitars up in the airy pyramid, and "Dojo" is a windy epic in which, rather unexpectedly, a Ritchie Blackmore's ghost pays a visit - to be back in "Muscle Shirt" crystallized on Chris Handley's punctuated bass. The most out-there piece that initially seems to be stumbling on Luke Stone's jazzy drumming and then walks for a jolly jaunt adjusts to its title: "Demented". So there's a method to the madness of finesse shaping up with every new spin.
Whether young or old, musically-inclined or tone-deaf…DOJO is a band you just can’t help but gawk at.Last weekend I was fortunate enough to find them (in a more intimate than usual setting) of the AllSoulsUnitarianChurch near the downtown plaza.They were promoting the release of their newest album “Studiojo”, which I must say is well put together and beautifully mastered.
All three of these guys are a true pleasure to watch.As typical with deeply-talented musicians, I found myself forcefully closing my eyes, to keep from zoning out in awe of their technique, and to better enjoy the music.But while each member of the trio deserves much respect individually, they create an overwhelming force of sound when put together.I like to jokingly categorize them as an “EPIC POWER TRIO”.
But you can’t neatly fit their music into any genre. I think that’s what I like most about this band.Even with all the gobs of talent they each possess, nothing about the structure of their music is ever forced or out of place.It’s truly amazing that, as only a trio, they form such a cohesive bond in the sometimes “erratic chaos” of augmented and discordant sound they create.Blissful and yet torrent.
No matter what your preference or liking for a certain musical style, Dojo gives you a taste of it all.Check them out.You will not walk away disappointed.
Joel Switzer
11/14/08
Fusion on fire
With so many good jazz guitarists around the area, it’s a little surprising that we don’t hear much guitar-driven jazz fusion in our clubs and concert halls.
The band Dojo from Lawrence is ready to fill the gap. Powered by guitarist Brian Baggett, bassist Chris Handley and drummer Luke Stone, it plays the hard-edged stuff inspired by Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius — with some Yes and King Crimson in the mix
Dojo will play the next concert in the Jazz & Beyond series at 8 p.m. Saturday at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut St. Tickets cost $10. The concert is also a celebration of the release of its third CD, “Studiojo.”
"In an unbroken line of fusion bands beginning with the head-turning Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early '70s comes the Kansas outfit Dojo with their studio disc, aptly titled 'Studiojo'.Guitarheads will certainly enjoy Brian Baggett's mercurial lines and tasty phrasing.Give it a listen." - Dan McAvinchey - Guitar 9 records guitar9.com October 29, 2008
"Dojo's new album Studiojo offers listeners a diverse, progressive array of styles and sounds. With foot-tapping grooves and sometimes contemplative, sometimes rocking, guitar solos, the album perfectly captures the band's self-described style: Van Halen meets John Coltrane. Check out some of my favorite tracks like "Something She Said, "One Key," and "Dojo" and you'll get a real sense of this group's dynamic ability and fearless approach to playing the music they love."
- Joel Burnett, Jazz in the Morning DJ - 90.7 KJHK kjhk.org October 24, 2008
Brian Baggett, one of Kansas City’s finest of a younger generation of jazz guitarists, has a secret to share — his alter ego leading the stunning instrumental jazz/rock fusion trio DOJO. Owing as much to early progressive rock groups such as YES, King Crimson, and Genesis, as it does the classic 70’s fusion of Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin — DOJO releases their third CD entitled “Studiojo”, and is the next installment on the exciting Jazz & Beyond concert series at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8.
- Kansas City Jazz Ambassador magazine jazzkc.org October 2008
“It was a true musical discovery the new Studiojo album and you deserve all the most sincere congratulations in the world for such an outstanding piece of true art!!Sensational musicianship...masterful technical skills and very inspired compositions!!! Sincerest congratulations...and I'll be more then delighted to play such a great album to the good music lovers here in Resita-Romania!!!”
- Ovidiu Dumitrescu, For the Love of Guitar DJ– 105.6 Radio Resita, Romania
October 18, 2008
DOJO sends a BIG thank you to allaboutjazz.com for featuring DOJO’s song Demented on their site. We saw 413 downloads in one day! allaboutjazz.com October 22, 2008
Brian Baggett was a guest on KJHK's Jazz in the Morning to promote Studiojo's release and the Music for the Masses Festival to be held Sunday, Oct. 5 at South Park in Lawrence, KS.
This program aired on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 on KJHK 90.7 http://kjhk.org/(streaming radio)
University of Kansas student run radio
Click below to hear some the interview
DOJO has a unique way of staying away from the predictable. By focusing on the song's inherent platform for heavy exploration, DOJO doesn't rely on cliched riffs and soloing.
- Abstractlogix.com
Welcome to dojoband.com
Copyright 2006 Brian Baggett. All rights reserved.
