Alphabet Soup

Alphabet Soup is the Bay Area's own underground supergroup. Formed in 1991 by saxophonist Kenny Brooks, pianist Dred Scott, rapper Chris Burger and drummer Jay Lane, Alphabet Soup immediately became one of San Francisco's most popular bands. Because of their unique hip-hop/jazz crossover appeal, Alphabet Soup gained a tight local following witnessed during their famous runs in major S.F. clubs like the Up & Down Club, Elbo Room, Café du Nord, Justice League and Bruno's. Alphabet Soup has toured the West Coast with The Roots, and appeared on bills alongside De la Soul, Digable Planets and KRS One to name a few. In addition to the core band which includes Sam Biggers, Troy Lampkins and Jeff Chimenti, Alphabet Soup has a deep bench of local musicians, emcees and DJs. Alphabet Soup is also known to play host to the visitations of many modern jazz greats like bassists Les Claypool and Kai Eckhardt; horn players like Joshua Roseman and Larry Schneider; drummers like Brain, Eddie Marshall, Steve Smith and David Garibaldi. Soup's own drummer, Jay Lane won "Drummer of the Year" at the 2002 California Music Awards. Les Claypool was so impressed upon hearing Alphabet Soup that he set up Soup's first live recording "Layin Low in the Cut" on his Prawn Song label. In 1996 Soup won the Bammie for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Each of the band's talented members have also forged impressive careers apart from Alphabet Soup. Kenny Brooks left briefly to play for the Charlie Hunter Quartet and record the Natty Dread album on Blue Note. Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Kenny Brooks are also current members of Bob Weir's band Ratdog. Wilbur Krebs played with Willie Nelson. Alphabet Soup was the first group to bring rappers to the Monterey Jazz Festival. Their appearances at Monterey, SF Jazz Festival and Yoshi’s jazz club showcased their unique blend of jazz and hip hop, their trademark sound.