Formed in 1990 as a piano/bass/drum trio playing the compositions of pianist Michael Sokolowski. Sokolowski was accompanied by Houston Ross on bass and Johnny Gilmore on drums. Live, the band was, in a sense, a proto-jam band, exploring far-flung improvisation via jazz-influenced rock instrumentals. In 1996, the band released it's debut CD, In November Sunlight, featuring guest appearances by members of Dave Matthews Band (Dave, Leroi Moore, and associate guitarist, Tim Reynolds) -- friends of the band and fellow Charlottesville musicians. Because of his association, the disc achieved high sales numbers for an instrumental record. The band disbanded in 1997, though Sokolowski and Ross remained close friends and musical partners. In 2000, the two began work on their follow-up recording, Two enlisting the help of many studio musicians to flesh out the textures and arrangements. Whereas Sokoband's music had previously been exclusively about Sokolowski's tunes, now Houston Ross began to collaborate as a writer, arranger, and singer. It took a long time, but in 2005, the CD was released. Though not a commercial success, the band believes it is a far superior musical offering to In November Sunlight. Currently, the two musicians have joined forces with formidable ex-Genesis drummer, Nir Z, to work on a re-recording of In November Sunlight in an effort to render more definitive vesions of their early material. Guests: David Darling, cello; Leroi Moore, saxophones; Steve Kimock, electric guitars; Tim Reynolds, acoustic guitar; John Zias, guitars; Jay Rodriguez, saxophones & flute; Dave Cast, soprano, alto, tenor saxophones; George Brooks, soprano saxophone; Charles Owens, saxophone; Greg Howard, alto saxophone; Mike Colley, guitars; Dave Matthews, vocal. Sokoband is shooting for a Fall 2009 release.
