Banyan

Banyan is an improvisational collective founded in 1997 by drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and David Turin. Based in Los Angeles, the group serves as a bridge between the city's alternative rock scene and the world of avant-garde jazz.

The project is defined by its rotating cast of virtuosos, most notably Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Nels Cline (Wilco), whose presence infuses the music with a 'punk-jazz' ethos. Their sound identity is characterized by heavy, polyrhythmic percussion, aggressive bass lines, and atmospheric trumpet work, often recorded in high-fidelity environments like the Dust Brothers' studio or Perkins' own home facility. A unique aspect of their live identity is the collaboration with artist Norton Wisdom, who performs live 'action painting' alongside the band. Critically, Banyan is viewed as a vital continuation of the fusion tradition, stripped of 70s excess and replaced with a raw, West Coast experimentalism. They occupy a specific cultural niche where fans of jam bands, 90s alternative, and modern jazz intersect.