6-piece Percy Hill jams into Cafe

It's not easy to mix jazz, funk, hip-hop, blues, Latin rhythms, bluegrass and Southern rock -- and expect it to work. But Percy Hill, a six-piece jam band, pulls it off.

And to prove it, Percy Hill is bringing its act tonight to Cafe 210 West, 210 W. College Ave.

Percy Hill is quickly gaining new fans. The New Hampshire-based band has played hundreds of shows since its birth in 1993, treating audiences around the country to its Grateful Dead-type jamming and continually working to expand its horizons.

"They're becoming a very popular band up and down the East Coast and they've played out West a lot," said Hal McCullough, owner of Cafe 210. "They're going to break out nationally one day soon."

But when they do, it won't be because of radio play or MTV. Percy Hill's music can be epic at times. With stretched-out jams, the band is gaining a large fan base the same way Phish and other improvisational bands have: By touring.

While the band's two studio efforts, Setting the Boat Adrift and Straight On ‘Till Morning, were received with some critical acclaim by the specialty jam-band magazine Relix, the real magic of Percy Hill is its live show.

Much like other jam bands, Percy Hill is building its fan base at college campuses. Penn State has become a frequent tour stop.

"They've been playing the Cafe for about three years," McCullough said. "They come a couple of times a semester and they always do very well."

-- by Geoff Rushton