Brother Maker Marks New Beginnings with Deltaphonic and Dodongo at Brooklyn Bowl

As New York Marathoners raced down Bedford Avenue, runners may have heard the buzz stirring at Brooklyn Bowl a few blocks away. Just days after shocking news that eight out of ten Turkuaz members departed the band, five of them took to the familiar stage in Williamsburg as Brother Maker.

Bowlers packed the edges of an excited crowd as NYC-based band Dodongo took to the stage. The six-piece funk/rock band launched into their five song, hour-long set with two debuts, including a twangy, “Change My Mind,” and a progressive-rock, “Sweet Biter.” Dodongo’s third song was a shoutout to the venue as guitarist Dean Hicks joked that the owners had forced the band (to their dismay) to perform the funk song, “Brooklyn Bowl Theme.” To finish out the set, Dodongo brought the funky crowd favorite, “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” sandwiched between high-energy jams in their song, “Chase Sequence.”

Hailing from New Orleans, Deltaphonic’s return to Brooklyn Bowl two years since their first performance there marks a notable transformation for the group. During the pandemic, Deltaphonic grew from a three piece band to five piece with the addition of Elmo Price on bass and Logan Sellers, which has given the band a more versatile and classic sound, and allowed them to blend more genres and styles. Deltaphonic’s set at Brooklyn Bowl showcased a mix of some of their best new and old material with special focus on some of their newer, unreleased soul songs including, “Angels,” and, “Casablanca.” Deltaphonic hopes to return to NYC in the spring of 2022 to promote their upcoming full album.

Brother Maker, an amalgamation of now-former Turkuaz members, including Craig Brodhead (guitar), Michelangelo Carubba (drums), Chris Brouwers (trumpet, keys), Greg Sanderson (tenor sax), and Taylor Shell (bass), made their debut. As Brodhead noted, with Shell taking a break in San Francisco, West End Blend’s Paulie Phillipone (keyboards, synth bass) filled in for Taylor.

Brooklyn debut of Brother Maker this Sunday at @brooklynbowl joining Deltaphonic and Dodongo. Taylor Shell – our brother – is home in SF getting much needed rest. He IS the bass player of the band, but in the meantime, our homie Paulie Philippone from West End Blend is gonna party with us on stage at the bowl. We will also be featuring some other fantastic special guests. Never miss a Sunday show!

Craig Brodhead, Facebook post

Brother Maker hit the stage with a bluesy funk sound that had the crowd immediately dancing. They played a set full of jazzy funk and psychedelic interludes, playing an instrumental mix of originals and covers before inviting Brittany Beckett on stage to sing Black Sabbath’s, “Sweet Leaf.”

To close out the show, Brother Maker invited Sammi Garett (vocals, also formerly of Turkuaz) and Paul Provesty (guitar, Deltaphonic) on stage to rock the house with a cover of “Magic Man,” by Heart.