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Had a chance to see Bruce Forman and Cow Bop the other night at the High Desert Center for the Arts located in Victorville, CA., and if a similar opportunity arises in a town near you, I would highly suggest that you attend.

After fighting snow and ice I arrived at a small but intimate refurbished 150 seat WWII era USO building. The truth be told, this structure also houses many music lovers of the same aforementioned era that have irrevocable lifetime leases, if you know what I mean. (ghosts) Anyway, after arriving late and shedding some layers I found a seat in the rear of a nearly sold out acoustically inviting venue. The first thing I heard was this way out west, western hot jazzy sound with a very distinct drawl that would soon prove to me that these guys and gals had some scoobie-doo in their wahooo.

Cow Bop, formed in 2003 by internationally acclaimed guitarist Bruce Forman is the very best of a little known category called Cowboy Jazz and Western Bee Bop. Mix swinging extended grooves, thrilling harmonic improvisations, sweet vocals and tons of on stage fun and you have only begun to describe Cow Bop.

The group consisted of Bruce Forman up front on guitar drawing you in with memories of a Wes Montgomery, Pat Matheny and Django Reinhardt all mixed into one. The small in stature, big on sound Kristen Korb on stand up base keeping a tight Ray Brown influenced groove filled bottom and intermittently teasing you with Ella type scatting during her solos. Fiddler (violinist), Phil Salazar dazzling the room with a Bluegrass provincialism that made you think that Bill Monroe and Stephane Grappelli were both in the room. Pinto Pammy on vocals showcasing a variety of moods, shades and tones and constantly reminding you “That There’s No Place Like Home”. And rounding out this quintet was Mike McKinley on Drums. At a loss for words here due to the fact that at one point an impromptu short break was announced. This concluded soon after with a glowing McKinley returning from outside (somewhere around the dumpster area of the venue) with a simple cardboard box, he preceded to sit back down with group in tow and finished off the first half of the night playing his newly acquired drum, al-la Clayton Cameron, ultimately with what was to be the 1st of many standing ovations for the evening.

While only performing Country and Bluegrass standards there was still an ever present up-tempo swinging groove that displayed the groups unparalleled harmonic cohesiveness as well as its predilection for Bop.

Upon hearing Cow Bop for the first time be prepared to join the ranks of those who sing praises to the artistry, talent and creative abilities of Bruce Forman and Cow Bop…..

Cool. As a former Bay Area resident, I recall seeing Bruce on a number of occasions. He’s a wonderful talent. I’ve not heard his Cow Bop material but I’m now very curious. Let’s hope he comes to the Portland area.