Karl Denson

In 1988 Karl Denson first crossed paths with Lenny Kravitz at a recording session. The next year Kravitz reached out to request Denson’s solo on the single “Let Love Rule” from the matching album. Denson ultimately contributed to the complete project, toured with the band, and was asked back for the same duties on Mama Said and Are You Gonna Go My Way. Once Kravitz abandoned horn sections, Denson stepped away from rock and opened his jazz recording chapter in 1992. He co-founded and led San Diego’s Greyboy Allstars in 1994, serving as saxophonist, flutist, and singer. The group’s acid jazz grooves drew knowledgeable listeners who filled dance floors at clubs nationwide. Three years later the band dissolved, leading Denson to launch Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, known to jam and groove fans as KDTU. Its jazz-funk direction reflected the influence of James Brown, Maceo Parker, and Parliament-Funkadelic. KDTU made a strong impression at the 2000 Newport Jazz Festival while its jam-band audience continued to swell. During the Greyboy Allstars years and immediately before, Denson released five solo albums: Blackened Red Snapper, Herbal Turkey Breast, Chunky Pecan Pie, Baby Food, and The D Stands for Diesel. KDTU issued a self-titled EP in 1999. Dance Lesson #2 followed on Blue Note in 2001. The eclectic album The Bridge appeared in 2002. Lunar Orbit arrived in 2007, the lineup pared to a B-3 organ trio to refresh a classic jazz sound. Denson then stepped back to practice intensively, writing and collaborating with associates. He reassembled Tiny Universe as a septet featuring Me'Shell Ndegéocello on bass and issued Brother’s Keeper on Shanachie in 2009. Over the next several years he arranged and toured themed tribute concerts, among them a reimagined version of the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers and his Ray Charles Boogaloo Dance Party. In 2012 KDTU toured with Slightly Stoopid on a set heavy with Beastie Boys material, after which Denson joined Slightly Stoopid as saxophonist. A new KDTU configuration formed in 2013 and recorded New Ammo, released on the Slightly Stoopid label in February 2014. The full-length Gnomes and Badgers followed in 2019.