Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on February 8, 2026
Tauk | Brooklyn, NY | January 30, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave and Videos by Vinny Vallely
On January 30, 2026, the instrumental powerhouse TAUK transformed the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY into a tightly coiled, groove-driven playground, expanding their sonic palette with a three-piece horn section and a standout sit-in from the multi-talented bandleader Louis Cato. The result was a performance that felt both muscular and celebratory, pushing the quartet’s precision musicianship into richer, more colorful territory. Escaper provided their support.
A focused opening set established the tone early by the New-York-City-based Escaper. Their line up included guitarist Will Hanza, bassist Luke Bemand, drummer Rory Dolan, and keyboardist Phil Cadet. This power team leaned into atmospheric textures and modern prog-leaning rhythms, highlighting newer material including “Chance.” Their concise but confident performance primed the room for the headliner’s explosive arrival. Check out this video montage of Escaper from videographer Vinny Vallely.
All four TAUK members eventually emerged from the upstairs green room, including keyboardist A.C. Carter, guitarist Matt Jalbert, bassist Charlie Dolan and drumer Isaac Teel. Carter, Jalbert and Dolan have been playing together since their teenage days on Long Island, and their incredible chemistry certainly showed.
They wasted no time asserting control, opening with the punchy drive of “Dead Signal” before slipping into the angular pulse of “CMF900.” From there, the band threaded together fan favorites and deep cuts with seamless momentum, balancing intricate composition and improvisational lift. “Sweet Revenge” delivered one of the evening’s early peaks, its dynamic swells setting the stage for the night’s first major surprise.
Cato’s arrival electrified the room. He is better known as the band leader on the popular late night variety show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His soulful presence elevated “Black Man Blues” and a stirring take on “Give Me One Reason,” adding grit, warmth, and vocal depth that contrasted beautifully with TAUK’s instrumental intensity. The collaboration felt organic rather than ornamental, as if the songs had always been waiting for this exact chemistry.
The evening broadened further once horn players Matt Wayne, James Michael Cronin, and Greg Sanderson joined the fold. Beginning with “Eldridge” and rolling through “Hot Brown” and “Carpentinos,” the expanded arrangement injected cinematic punch and rhythmic swagger into TAUK’s already muscular sound. Brass accents sharpened grooves, widened crescendos, and gave the compositions a festival-ready grandeur without sacrificing precision.
Rather than take a break, the band kept the momentum going and dove head first into their planned second set. Highlights like “On Guard,” “Hang Tuff,” and the emotive “Song for Salma” showcased the quartet’s dynamic control, shifting effortlessly between delicate phrasing and explosive release. By the time the horns returned for a closing stretch — “Adventure Hop,” “Rainwalk,” “Malware,” and “Collateral” — the show had grown into a full-scale celebration of groove, texture, and collective momentum.
Throughout the night, TAUK demonstrated why they remain one of the most compelling instrumental acts on the jam scene: technical mastery paired with genuine emotional lift. With inspired guests, expanded arrangements, and a crowd locked into every rhythmic turn, the Brooklyn Bowl witnessed a performance that felt less like a routine tour stop and more like a statement of continued evolution. View our video linked below from Vinny Vallely to feel the pulse from this exciting show.
Tauk is back in action next on February 13 at the Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA. They will follow up this performance on February 14 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA for a Valentine’s Day rager. Afterwards, they will make a slow transition to the west coast, starting with two Colorado dates: Ft. Collins on February 27 and Boulder on February 28. They will make an appearance at Hidden Hall in Seattle, WA on April 10 and at The Get Down in Portland, OR on April 11. On April 24, they head to Los Angeles for a show at The Venice West, followed by a performance at the Music Box in San Diego on April 25. Visit their tour page for more details on these shows as well as upcoming show announcements.
For those located in the Northeast, Escaper has three dates on their ledger, starting with The Gem in Spring City, PA on Feb 27 and Dharma Bums in New Hope, PA on Feb 28. They recently announced an exciting show on March 6 where they will cover The Doors at the intimate Iridium in New York, NY. Keep tabs on their tour page for more upcoming show announcements.
Check out more photos from Tauk and Escaper!
Band: Tauk
Date: January 30, 2025
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Set: Dead Signal, CMF900, Sweet Revenge, Black Man Blues [1], Give me One Reason [1], Eldridge [2], Hot Brown [2], Carpentinos [2], Melvin’s Mind, On Guard, Hang Tuff, Song for Salma, Adventure Hop [2], Rainwalk [2], Malware [2]
Encore: Collateral [2]
Notes:
1. with Louis Cato
2. with Horn Section
