8 Legged Monster
| Company type | Jazz ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Mike Irwin Johnson |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
Area served | San Francisco Bay Area |
Key people | Mike Irwin Johnson (founder, guitarist), Jaz Sawyer (drummer) |
| Products | Jazz music performances and recordings |
The 8 Legged Monster was a jazz ensemble originating from San Francisco, California, active between 2007 and 2015. Their repertoire included compositions and performances spanning jazz, bebop, free jazz, and big band genres. All musical pieces were composed and arranged by the group's founder and guitarist, Mike Irwin Johnson.
History
Hailing from Walnut Creek, California, Mike Irwin Johnson began his guitar studies during high school. In 1999, he relocated to San Francisco to pursue jazz composition at San Francisco State University. The formation of 8 Legged Monster in 2007 was driven by Johnson’s intent to showcase the talent within the San Francisco community and bring a compositional emphasis to the San Francisco Bay Area music landscape.
Members and collaborators
The ensemble’s final roster featured Jaz Sawyer, Rob Barics, Mike Olmos, Joe Cohen, Matt Nelson, Fil Lorenz, Danny Grewn, Eric Markowitz, and Karina Deniké. They worked in partnership with Pursuance Records, an independent label established by their drummer, Jaz Sawyer.
Sound
Their musical style has been compared to that of Birth of the Cool and Sun Ra, often described as a progression toward an elevated form of swing. Critics have noted parallels between their compositional style and that of Duke Ellington, highlighting arrangements specifically crafted for the individual musicians involved.
Notable shows and works
The album "Vol. 2" was released on September 3, 2009, accompanied by a launch performance at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Additionally, on January 14, 2010, Johnson curated a selection of Sun Ra’s compositions for the SF Jazz organization’s tribute series "SF Jazz Hotplate," demonstrating his role in jazz programming leadership.