Tiny Universe Funks Out Today And Tomorrow

Former Kravitz sax-man Karl Denson defies categorization

Humboldt Sentinel
3/18/09
By Sentinel Staff

That powerhouse of funk known simply as the Tiny Universe headlines back-to-back shows this evening and the next at the Red Fox Tavern in Downtown Eureka.

Karl Denson, the former saxophonist for funk rock superstar Lenny Kravitz, spun off his Tiny Universe project in 1998, and has defied categorization ever since with a dynamic sound and an unstoppable energy. While they’ve only released one album-length recording, The Bridge in 2002, Tiny Universe has nonetheless been the beneficiary of critical praise with rhythm-and-blues hits like ‘Because Of Her Beauty’ and ‘The Answer.’

As Passion Presents promoter Eric Kinnally boasts in his release, Denson has “built a reputation as a groundbreaking musician equally potent as a masterful collaborator and an innovative solo artist, following in the footsteps of funkmasters Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley.”

He started touring with Kravitz during his height of popularity in 1989, spending years between the road and the recording studio, contributing to platinum albums Let Love Rule and Mama Said, also finding time to collaborate with DJ Greyboy on ‘Unwind Your Mind’ which hit the top of the European charts.

“Denson's drive to continually innovate and push the musical envelope drove him to form the Tiny Universe,” according to Kinnally, and KDTU is pushing forward in their latest tour to come up with new material for a forthcoming release. You can check Denson’s tracks at www.globalimaging.us/kdtu or by visiting their MySpace page.

Both shows at the Red Fox start at 10:30 p.m. and are 21-and-over only. Music fans can pick up their tickets at the Tavern, located at 415 Fifth Street in Eureka, for $25. For more information, contact Kinnally at promo@passionpresents.com.