Wide Hive Players
"A stellar collective that spans the breadth of the Wide Hive Records roster come together as the Wide Hive Players group – a project with roots in some live sessions that grew into a wonderful little modern jazz set! There's a laid back, easygoing groove that works very well here, with soul..." — Dusty Groove
Wide Hive Players began as live sessions in May 2009 with a collective group that spans across much of the Wide Hive Records catalog. On top of the enormously talented rhythm section of Matt Montgomery and Thomas McCree, horn players Mike Rinta, Doug Rowan, and Tim Hyland all contribute to create a sound respectful of past tradition and yet pushing towards new musical boundaries. Also significantly lending poignant soul on two compositions is renowned vocalist, Faye Carol. In many ways, this album represents a new era for Wide Hive in the completion of its first decade. The strength of this record is in its tonal clarity and compositional fortitude, as well as the communication between the players and how that is represented in the musical path.
The Wide Hive Players were perhaps best described by BBC Music Magazine: “The Wide Hive Players are a collective of talented in-house players from the San Francisco-based label Wide Hive Records. Producer and label-owner Gregory Howe, who clearly has a great ear, has penned a striking selection of soul-fused jazz tracks for his house band. From surprisingly fast drum intros, to gorgeous gutsy horn harmonics, which in the case of Mending Gravity have a curious dirge-like feel, this disk is topped off by Thomas McCree's rippling B3 organ. Producer- led UK labels such as Tru Thoughts have drawn in a wide net of music fans- this Stateside band deserves to do likewise.”
Doug Rowan
Doug Rowan is an American Saxophonist who has toured, recorded, and performed with many well known artists, including: Boz Scaggs, Average White Band, and the Pacific Mambo Orchestra. He plays flute tenor and baritone saxophone, and is a primary member on all five Wide Hive Players albums.
Drew Zingg
Drew Zingg is an American guitarist best known as lead guitarist and musical director of Steely Dan's reunion tour 1993 - 1995, and has played alongside many other noteworthy musicians, such as: Les Paul, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Larry Carlton.
Gregory Howe
Gregory Howe founded Wide Hive Records in 1996. While primarily active as producer, mixer, and composer, Howe also performs guitar, synthesizer, turntable, voice and percussion on many recordings. From 1996 to 2024 Howe recorded and released albums for Throttle Elevator Music with Kamasi Washington, Roscoe Mitchell, Mike Clark, Dissent, Erik Jekabson, Calvin Keys, Phil Ranelin (Pharoah Sanders, Henry Franklin, Big Black), Wide Hive Players and the incomparable artist and guitarist Larry Coryell.
Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell deserves a special place in the history books for re-inventing jazz electric guitar playing in the 1960s. As a true eclectic, armed with a brilliant technique, he is comfortable in almost every style, covering almost every base from the most decibel-heavy, distortion-laden electric work to the most delicate, soothing, intricate lines on acoustic guitar.
Matt Montgomery
Matt Montgomery plays the bass, writes music, and plays piano/keyboards. He has performed and/or recorded with Faye Carol, Calvin Keys, Larry Coryell, Mark Levine, Phil Ranelin, singer/songwriters Cass McCombs, Greg Ashley, Adam Stephens (of Two Gallants), Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli, and many more.
Mike Rinta
Bammy-winning Mike Rinta was the featured trombonist with Sly & The Family Stone, John Lee Hooker Jr., Variable Unit, Calvin Keys, Harvey Mandel, and Brass Monkey Brass Band, Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. Mike has played with a myriad of accomplished bands and musicians, and has toured North America and Europe with Michelle Shocked and also the Dynatones.
Tim Hyland
Tim Hyland was an American Trumpet and flute player and musical educator. Known for his work with ZaZu Pits Memorial Orchestra, Dissent, and The Wide Hive Players. Tim began by playing with Bay Area funk band Extension 5 and continued playing with incredible groups in the Bay for more than thirty years. In his final years Tim was also the conductor of the Albany High Jazz Band, where he taught for a decade.
