Last Updated: October 10, 2012

About The Pinstripes

After nearly two years and almost a dozen skillful musicians, Cincinnatiʼs The Pinstripes release their pop/reggae/soul masterpiece I, an album that breaks down genre barriers from a band that has been said to “change your perception.” {Cincinnati Citybeat}

The band, led by multi-instrumentalist Michael Sarason (lead vocals, tenor saxophone, organ, piano, flute, percussion), is literally a whoʼs-who of the bountiful Cincinnati music scene. Showcasing an unparalleled group of musicians that are astonishingly skilled beyond their years (most members are in their early to mid 20s), The Pinstripes have been actively performing and touring since 2003. Although the band has seen some positive adjustments, there is no denying that the current lineup, featuring Chris Grannen (Bass + Stick Bass), Matt Kursmark (Electric + Acoustic Guitar), Leonardo Murcia (Trombone + Vocals), John Bertke (Drums + Percussion) and Sam White (Trumpet + Vocals), is undeniably the best to date.

I is the third full-length studio album from The Pinstripes, and is by far the best at showcasing the bandʼs flexibility of dynamics and songwriting. This multi-genre masterpiece encompasses every wave of ska and reggae, all while floating seamlessly into the worlds of pop and soul, providing a feast of musical styles that will surely captivate any open-minded appreciator of quality music. Highlighted tracks include the incredibly catchy “Might Be Her Fool” (#1), the hook-laden “Mother” (#5), or the harmoniously soulful “Do What You Want” (#11). Guest appearances on the recording include Anthony Abbinanti, Diedrich Jones, Casey Weissbuch and Benjamin Pitz.

“Throw out all the standard Rock crit hoohah; the Cincinnati sextet takes the raw ingredients of Studio One Reggae, first-, second- and third-generation Ska and an absolute flawless sense of Soul, seeds it, stems it and rolls it into an enormous spliff thatʼs nothing short of pure, unadulterated exhilaration.” {Brian Baker, Cincinnati Citybeat}