Entrain

Drummer extraordinaire Tom Major had been keeping the beat for national acts Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes and classic rocker Bo Diddley before founding this six piece Martha’s Vineyard funky jam band. Started by Major in 1993 while off for a summer from touring with Bo Diddley, the band’s first gig was at the Atlantic Connection in Vineyard Haven. They played their percussion driven, blues, rock, calypso and ska sound every Thursday to sell out crowds of five hundred dancers inside and one hundred more people waiting outside in line. From the beginning, Entrain was a great dance band playing winsome, energetic and propulsive music. The group then went full time later that year and their live shows became legendary. Their songs are characterized by long extended instrumental breaks as they keep their audiences in motion. In 1994, they won a Boston Music award for ‘Best Live Act’ and the same year Tom was nominated for Outstanding Percussionist. Later, they were invited by Carly Simon to play at her MV party with guest President Bill and Hillary Clinton. Carly and The First Saxophonist sat in for an entire set and Entrain was interviewed on CNN the next day. Currently, they have been playing steadily for twenty three years in the U.S. Canada, Germany and China. They have released eight CDs on Dolphin Safe Records and have appeared in t.v. ads with Jordan’s Furniture and a live t.v. ad with Bud Lite. Their song “Dancin in the Light” was featured in a Sylvania Lightbulbs commercial for four years. Original members: Tom Major, John Cruz, Judd Fuller, Sam Holmstock, Rick Bausman and Rob Loyot. Current lineup: Tom Major, Brian Alex, Rob Loyot, Lennie Peterson, M’Talewa Thomas.

(by A.J. Wachtel)

Published on July 13, 2016