Conundrum elicits good vibes and thrives off of spontaneity, groove and soul whenever they perform. Based out of Jersey City, New Jersey, their sound includes the amalgamation of funk, rock and R&B to produce what they call “Social Music” — music that fosters a soundscape in which the listener is engaged aurally, aware of every individual nuance in texture and timbre each of the four instrumentalists brings.
The main members of Conundrum are Isaac Sanchez on guitar, Kyosuke Nonoyama on bass, Charles Tyler on drums and Germain Brito on trumpet. Additional members include Cole Frisina on alto sax, Alex George on tenor sax, Eduardo Sinay on percussion and Mike Sheelar on keys.
Conundrum’s sound is influenced by the Robert Glasper Experiment, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, The Roots and A Tribe Called Quest.
Conundrum takes the creative process seriously in thinking of innovative ways to enhance their performance and sound. “When we are creating live on the spot, I understand that it is important to have a musical disagreement or tension because the outcome is something that we cannot control, but describes each and everyone one of us as best as possible,” said bandleader Germain Brito.
They satiate your appetite for feel good music. Your body cannot help but sway and groove as their contagious tunes permeate the air.
In the midst of hectic work schedules and attending different schools, Conundrum makes it a priority to get funky and rehearse at least a few hours a week. As works in progress, they continue to feed off of each other’s energy and diverse backgrounds. “What helps me in the creative process is sharing musical tastes and influences among the bandmates during rehearsals,” Isaac Sanchez said.
While Conundrum hopes to have a label in the next few years, they never forget the reason they make music in the first place. “We all love the musical aspect, but our goal is to create and put out art people genuinely connect with and enjoy,” Brito said.
Upcoming shows are listed on their social media sites: @Conundrum_TV
by: Mina Afayee