Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-03-12
Greyboy Allstars | Fairfield, CT | March 5, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
On March 5, 2026, The Greyboy Allstars brought their unmistakable groove to The Warehouse at FTC in Fairfield, CT. They delivered a deep dive in West Coast Boogaloo, which is the sound they helped pioneer. The band’s lineup remained remarkably close to its original configuration, and featured Karl Denson, Robert Walter, Chris Stillwell, and Elgin Park. They were joined by drummer Aaron Redfield, who has seamlessly locked into the band’s rhythmic engine.
For over three decades, The Greyboy Allstars have defined West Coast boogaloo, a style rooted in the gritty soul-jazz of the late 1960s but filtered through the improvisational instincts of jazz. Built around Hammond B3 organ, punchy horn lines, and deep-pocket rhythm sections, the sound blends funk grooves with jazz phrasing and dance-floor momentum. That aesthetic was alive and thriving in the Constitution State from the first notes of the evening.
The band opened with “Profundo Grosso,” a track from the album Inland Emperor (2013). The tune burst out of the gate with an upbeat groove led by Denson’s expressive saxophone while Walter added bright organ accents that pushed the rhythm forward. That momentum carried into “Black Whip,” a guitar-driven workout where Denson initially stepped away from the horn to handle percussion before returning to saxophone. Redfield anchored the tune with crisp, driving rhythms that gave the band plenty of room to stretch.
“Breaking Blood,” also from Inland Emperor, followed with Denson contributing vocals while Stillwell delivered thick, high-powered bass lines that locked tightly with Redfield’s drumming. The groove-heavy set continued with “Jungle Strut,” an early Greyboy staple that first appeared on the compilation Explorations Into Dancefloor Jazz Vol. 1. The tune had a smooth, jazzy feel, that highlighted the interplay between Park’s guitar and Denson’s saxophone while Walter briefly shifted his keyboard tone into a piano-like synth sound that added a different texture.
The mood softened with “Pigeons Under Water,” from What Happened to Television? (2007). Denson began the tune on percussion before transitioning to flute, which created a light and airy atmosphere that contrasted with the funk-heavy opening run. The groove simmered slowly during “Old Crow,” another Inland Emperor tune, where Denson and Park shared vocal duties while Walter’s organ lines curled through the arrangement.
Before the next song, Denson paused to clarify that the band knew they were in Fairfield, and not Bridgeport. He also expressed excitement about playing the venue. In a playful twist, Stillwell and Park switched seats and instruments, which created a unique dynamic for the rest of the set. “Watch Out Gail,” later released on the compilation Grab Bag: 2007–2023, carried a pronounced bassline and thick funk feel, with Walter’s Hammond B3 providing a rich counterpoint to Denson’s saxophone. The set closed with “Executive Party” from Como De Allstars (2020), a slow-burning groove where the band demonstrated its ability to stop and start on a dime while keeping the rhythm tight. After about an hour of music, the band stepped away for a short break.
The second set picked up momentum quickly with “Slip the Grip,” also included on Grab Bag: 2007–2023, and featured stellar jazz guitar lines from Park. “Serpico” followed with an unusual guitar tone and whimsical feel, accented by Denson’s flute.
The soul influence deepened with “I’ve Got Reasons,” a vocal tune from the covers album Get a Job: Music from the Original Broadcast Series ‘Soul Dream’ (2022), dripping with classic funk guitar textures. “Play It Back,” from the same album, continued the groove as Denson returned to saxophone while Stillwell drove the rhythm with a firm bass pulse.
“Inland Emperor,” the title track from the band’s 2013 album, began as Walter established a deep organ groove before the band gradually built momentum. Redfield’s dynamic drumming gave the piece shape as the arrangement expanded and contracted.
The mood turned mellow with “Diminishing Blackness,” another Inland Emperor track, which featured delicate flute passages and an acid-jazz atmosphere before Park’s guitar swelled into the spotlight. “Cramp Your Style,” from A Town Called Earth (1997), delivered classic soul-funk energy with more Denson vocals and fiery guitar work from Park.
Denson then declared, “It’s boogaloo time,” and introduced the crowd-favorite “Corry’s Snail and Slug Death,” which originally appeared on Spirit of ’70, the 1996 collaboration with saxophonist Gary Bartz. Walter’s Hammond B3 leaned into gospel territory while the band locked into a danceable groove that had the audience fully engaged.
“The Way You Make Me Feel,” a Michael Jackson cover included on Grab Bag: 2007–2023, turned the room into a sing-along. The familiar melody emerged through Walter’s organ and Denson’s saxophone as the crowd filled in the lyrics.
Although the tune closed the setlist, the Fairfield crowd refused to let the night end quietly. The band returned to the stage, with Denson remarking that they had never played Fairfield before but clearly planned to return, energized by the room’s welcoming vibe. The final encore tune ended the evening with a vibrant flourish as Park unleashed energetic jazz guitar lines that intertwined with Redfield’s fast-tempo drumming.
After more than thirty years together, The Greyboy Allstars continue to prove why their blend of funk, jazz, and boogaloo grooves remains influential. At The Warehouse at FTC, the band delivered a set that celebrated both their deep catalog and the improvisational spirit that first defined the West Coast boogaloo sound.
The band will return for a performance at Tipitina’s in New Orleans, LA on April 25, 2026. On May 5, they will head to St. Paul, MN for a performance at Amsterdam, followed by the Argo in Milwaukee, WI on May 6. On May 7-8, Chicago’s Garcia’s will get a special double header from this jazz funk outfit. This Midwest run ends at Delamar Hall in St. Louis, MO on May 9. Visit their tour page for more details about these shows.
Check out more photos from show!
Band: Greyboy Allstars
Date: March 5, 2026
Location: Fairfield, CT
Venue: The Warehouse at FTC
Set One: Profundo Grosso, Black Whip, Breaking Blood, Jungle Strut, Pigeons Under Water, Old Crow, Watch Out Gail, Executive Party
Set Two: Slip The Grip, Serpico, I’ve Got Reasons, Play It Back, Island Emperor, Diminishing Blackness, Cramp Your Style, Corry’s Snail and Slug Death, The Way You Make Me Feel
Encore: Confusion
