Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-20
Bonzo Squad today announces Full Strength+, the new album from the Chicago instrumental jazz-funk band, arriving January 15, 2027 via ELM Records. The campaign kicks off October 23 with lead single “Multiplicity,” featuring trombonist Alex Wasily, followed by “Mr. Dictionary,” featuring Snarky Puppy guitarist Mark Lettieri, on November 20.
Years in the making, Full Strength+ is exactly what its title promises: Bonzo Squad at the height of its powers. Across nine tracks of horn-forward writing, deep-pocket grooves and real-deal jazz underneath, the band, Corbin Andrick (saxophones), Andrew “Larry” Lawrence (keys), Zack Marks (drums) and Andrew Vogt (bass), is joined by a guest list that reads like a who's who of the modern funk and fusion scene: Mark Lettieri, Katisse Buckingham, Alex Wasily, Chris Siebold, Aaron Day, Aaron Janik, Justin Canavan and Anders Nordstrom.
The album was tracked at Chicago's Rax Trax Recording, with guest sessions layered in over the following years, and finished on the band's home turf, mixed by Mat Prock at Area 44 Music and mastered by Brian Schwab. The masters are fully artist-owned: Full Strength+ is released on ELM Records in partnership with the band's own Bonzo Sounds LLC.
“This record is the sound of a band that's been in the trenches together for years,” says drummer Zack Marks. “We've held down rooms all over Chicago, and we finally captured what we actually sound like at full strength. No compromises, our friends on the record, and the grooves doing the talking.”
“Bonzo Squad is the kind of band you build a label for,” says Eric Lense, founder of ELM Records and CEO of Eric Lense Management. “They own their masters, they've built their audience the honest way, night after night in Chicago's best rooms, and they made a record that hits like Snarky Puppy meets Vulfpeck with real jazz underneath. Full Strength+ is the perfect name for it.”
A fixture of the Chicago scene through long-running residencies and festival stages, Bonzo Squad has earned Chicago Reader nominations in 2020, 2023 and 2024, building a reputation as one of the city's most reliable sources of instrumental groove. Full Strength+ marks the band's biggest statement yet, with Chicago release shows planned around the album's arrival in early 2027.
“Multiplicity” (feat. Alex Wasily) will be available on all major streaming and download platforms October 23, followed by “Mr. Dictionary” (feat. Mark Lettieri) on November 20, with the full album arriving January 15, 2027 via ELM Records.
Bonzo Squad — Full Strength+
ELM Records
Release Date: Friday, January 15, 2027
Tracklist
Album Credits
Songs: “Billy Mumphreys,” “It's OK,” “Fuck Comcast” and “Three Part Swagger” written by Andrew Lawrence. “Mr. Dictionary” and “Sit Crooked & Talk Straight” written by Corbin Andrick. “Gator Don't Play” and “Bonzo Handshake” written by Andrew Vogt. “Multiplicity” written by Zack Marks and Alex Wasily.
Recorded at: Rax Trax Recording, Chicago
Recording Engineer: Noam Wallenberg
Mixed by: Mat Prock at Area 44 Music, Chicago
Mastered by: Brian Schwab
Musicians:
Corbin Andrick — tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, clarinet
Andrew “Larry” Lawrence — piano, Rhodes, clavinet, Hammond organ, synths, Moog bass
Zack Marks — drums
Andrew Vogt — bass, synths, sampling
Anders Nordstrom — guitar on “Billy Mumphreys”
Mark Lettieri — guitar on “Mr. Dictionary”
Aaron Day — guitars, string arrangements and production on “It's OK”
Katisse Buckingham — flute on “Gator Don't Play”
Chris Siebold — guitar on “Fuck Comcast”
Alex Wasily — trombone on “Multiplicity”
Aaron Janik — trumpet on “Three Part Swagger”
Justin Canavan — guitar on “Three Part Swagger”
About Bonzo Squad
Bonzo Squad is a Chicago instrumental jazz-funk band: Corbin Andrick (saxophones), Andrew “Larry” Lawrence (keys), Zack Marks (drums) and Andrew Vogt (bass). Known for horn-forward writing, heavyweight grooves and long-running residencies across Chicago, the band has earned Chicago Reader nominations in 2020, 2023 and 2024. Full Strength+ is their new album, out January 15, 2027 on ELM Records.
