Syracuse in focus (SIF)

Ryan Connors led the Dynamo Crew

When saw first saw Nashville-based Dynamo at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Q. we couldn’t believe so many musicians could fit onto the cramped stage. The band featured two drummers (including SUNY Oswego grad Nate Felty), two guitars, two keyboardists, three horns, and smooth vocalist (Dain Ussery). On the surface, this was just supposed to be a tour stop on the way to Buffalo, but the band spent some time here working on an album at Sub-Cat Studios in September, so it quickly morphed into a half juke joint, half back yard party.

We talked with one concert-goer who said he’d heard so much hype about the band that he had to come see for himself. He said left his girlfriend home (she was sick) to catch the show.

And what a show it was. Sometime after 9 pm, the crowded stage also gave way to crowded tables and walkways (including waitstaff bobbing their heads as they squeezed through the crowd) as music thundered from the ceiling mounted speakers.  Dynamo’s blend of funk, jazz and hint of reggae) featured incredible musical interplay and solos showing off the incredible dexterity of Ryan Connors on keys. Not to be outdone, the tight horn section of  Andrew Golden (trumpet), Kevin Gatzke (sax) and home-girl Melissa Gardiner (trombone), put in some major work.  Meanwhile, the rhythm section conjured up memories of The Brand New Heavies.

Dynamo is a band’s band and you could tell by the generous contingent of musicians in the audience. One middle-aged fan danced for nearly entire show at stage right.

RJ Bracchitta opened the show

Next time we’d love to see the band play the larger performance venue upstairs at the Dino.

The show was originally scheduled to begin at 8 pm, and to his credit opener, RJ Bracchitta had a great set, including a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.”

For more information on Dynamo, click here. For info about RJ Bracchitta click here.