Word: stu
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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This is what bassist Stu Cole has to say about the recent popular success of Squirrel Nut Zippers, a seven-member swing jazz outfit that has rapidly gained a loyal cult following throughout North America. The group's roots sprouted in 1993 when Jim "Jimbo" Mathus and Katherine Whalen formed a communal studio for disenchanted musicians in upstate New York. Their creative hideaway attracted an unusual array of artists that included a biomedical engineer, political worker, scientific repairman and professional gardener, all of whom were dissatisfied with the paths their lives had taken. This unlikely array of people soon discovered...
...describe his ideal situation, saying "I would hope that we'll have a touring schedule that we can handle and that allows us to pursue other interests as well as the Zippers." One of those other interests is Jim's recent tribute to Charlie Patton, with which Stu was also involved. Stu said, "We went to visit his family, and it was just amazing...Rosetta Patton was Jimbo's nanny, and she never saw any of the money Charlie made, so this album is kind of a tribute for her." The Zippers are also working on a rendition of "Under...
...Stu quickly went on to add, though, that the Zippers' unity is a priority for all the members. "We'll definitely stay together as a unit and keep that on the front burner. The Zippers come first...
...they fit together within the group. Je Widenhouse, the Zippers' trumpet player, cited Princess Leia's theme from Star Wars as his personal inspiration, saying "I'm all about it, man-there are quotes from that song on my trumpet every day, in everything I play." Stu described his musical influences as "the people I play with and listen to," and Widenhouse added a few of his more personal inspirations as well, mentioning Nicholas Peyton, Clark Terry and John Fadix, whom he describes as "trumpet players who are really out there...
With our interview rapidly drawing to a close, I asked Cole and Widenhouse in what direction they see the Zippers heading. Stu said, "We want to get into a cruise mode and keep going for a few years. Things are going great-I don't see how they could be better." He went on to mention the Zippers' new album, slated for release this spring. Some of the new songs from that album are included in the current tour and have been met with enormous support from the crowds. Je summed things up by adding, "the Zippers...