Hotter than ever.
That’d be the consensus sentiment about The Greyboy Allstars in the wake of a five-night tour accomplished last, the band’s first shows of the year and a return to venues not played in years.
It kicked off the night of March 3 at The Atlantis in Washington DC, where a sold-out audience lined up early for the chance to take in this widely respected group of soul and jazz masons.
With two sets of funky and voluptuous grooves, the Greyboy Allstars reminded last week in the nation’s capital that they are sophisticated, skilled purveyors of improvised music, and that through four decades together, they’ve only gotten better.
Originally built in 1993 as a backup band for DJ Greyboy, the current version of the SoCal-based Allstars includes four of the founding members: saxophonist Karl Denson, guitarist Mike Andrews (who records as Elgin Park), Robert Walters on keys and Chris Stillwell on bass. Meanwhile, Aaron Redfield is currently handling drumming responsibilities.
Watch the Greyboy Allstars let loose last year in Los Angeles via the band’s YouTube channel:
At The Atlantis a week ago, the five-piece outfit sounded remarkably fresh in performing favorites from the group’s recordings, which stretch back to 1994 with the release of West Coast Boogaloo and more recently includes the Grab Bag compilation from late 2024.
In DC, the band burst through tunes like “What Happened to TV?,” the title track to the band’s 2007 studio album, and “Breaking Blood,” one of several cuts played from 2013’s Inland Emperor.
Though the various members have continued to grow their impressive resumes — Walters plays with the likes of Rogers Waters; Park has scored a head-turning list of films and shows — it was Denson who might have stolen the show at The Atlantis with his piping hot sax and his charm at the mic.
Listen to the Greyboy Allstars latest release, Grab Bag: 2007-2023:
Closing out the night, Denson — who grew up not far from the venue — bid a proper farewell with “Quantico, Va,” a piece from the Allstars’ 1997 breakthrough A Town Called Earth that pays tribute to his hometown in Northern Virginia.
Setlist
Set 1
What Happened to TV?
Breaking Blood
Boxes
Slip The Grip
Jam Sandwich
Pigeons Under Water
Old Crow
Duffin’ Around
V Neck Sweater
Set 2
Volcanic Acne (Robert Walter tune)
Speed Freak
Still Waiting
Executive Party
Watch Out Gail
Inland Emperor
Profundo Grosso
I’ve Got Reasons (Mary Jane Hopper cover)
The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson cover)
Encore
Quantico, VA
Below are digital shots of the Greyboy Allstars performing at The Atlantis in Washington DC the night of March 3, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
