No one knows if a “supergroup” is going to work until you see them perform live. It is an overused term – when stars from different bands join together to form a new unit, the hype machine deems them a supergroup. Will egos get in the way or will they combine their talents to form something better than the individual parts? With The Heavyweights, a new group forged from musicians coming from Soulive, Snarky Puppy and Ghost-Note, the answer is a resounding “it works!”
Keyboardist Cory Henry, guitarist Eric Krasno and drummer Robert “Sput” Searight have built a reputation over the years as gifted musicians. All three have won Grammy Awards and each has had success with their respective bands, solo projects and producing. They joined together for what was supposed to be a one-off improvisational show in July at The Mint, a small Los Angeles live music landmark. That show sold out and got such positive feedback that the guys decided to give the new trio a go. Their first show since that night at The Mint took place at Live at The Sun Rose, a cozy venue in a boutique hotel on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA on September 25, 2025.
All three musicians have the skill and versatility to smoothly transition between jazz, fusion, funk, soul and rock genres. At Live at The Sun Rose, they put together a setlist that spanned those styles with several classic covers that they reinterpreted to give the songs a unique spin. That usually meant instrumentals, but both Krasno and Henry delivered infrequent, but solid vocals. They did instrumental interpretations of War’s “World is a Ghetto,”, Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me,” The Beatles “Something” and “Get Back.” Krasno and Henry took turns performing intricate solos while Sput played with time signatures that got stunned looks from the people in the audience.
The rare, but warmly received vocals took place during a version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe,” with Krasno singing when he was not delivering scintillating guitar riffs. Henry stepped up with soulful, smooth vocals on a timely version of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues.” The 54-year-old song about social and political strife in the United States still resonates today. Henry’s passionate vocals and haunting organ notes brought the crowd to their feet.
The Heavyweights’ show at Live at the Sun Rose left the audience wanting more and if they decide to take the trio on the road, it promises to be a welcome addition to the live music jam and jazz fusion scene. We hope they record original music and continue to explore new interpretations of classic jazz, funk, soul and rock.
Photos courtesy of Andy J Gordon ©2025
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