Proto-Kaw is an American

progressive rock Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog) is a broad genre of rock music that primarily developed in the United Kingdom through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early-to-mid-1970s. Initially termed " progressive pop", the ...

band. Featuring

Kerry Livgren Kerry Allen Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American musician, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the American rock band Kansas. Livgren, raised in Topeka, Kansas, developed an early interest in musi ...

, the group is a reformation of a band formed in the early 1970s which served as the direct precursor to

Kansas Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...

History

In the early 1970s, the band Kansas went through three incarnations, the common member in all three being composer, keyboardist and

guitarist A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselve ...

. The sound of the band changed along with the group members. Proto-Kaw is a modern name given to the second version of Kansas, whose arrangements prominently featured guitar, keyboards, and saxophone (an instrument not found in the following line-up.) The famous

was actually the third edition of the band, and before a name change it was the third incarnation of Topeka band White Clover. Formed in 1971 and disbanding in 1973, "Kansas II" played mostly original material written by Livgren. After Kansas II broke up, the group went their separate ways with Livgren reaching fame with the more-popular Kansas and the others assuming normal lives. Then in 2002, the band's demos saw release as Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973, which gave the band the new moniker Proto-Kaw. The name was derived from the words Proto ("original"), and Kaw (the root of the word Kansas, referring to a Native American tribe). Most members had not had any contact with each other for the intervening 30 years and many did not play music during this time. However, when they came together to celebrate the album's release, they rediscovered their old chemistry. Proto-Kaw reformed and at last got to record its first proper album, "

Before Became After ''Before Became After'' is a reunion album from the original Kansas II lineup, under their new name of Proto-Kaw. The Special Edition contains three bonus tracks - one new original song, a live version of "Belexes", plus a “single” version ...

" (2004). The band released its second new CD in February, 2006, titled '' The Wait of Glory'' which features 12 new original songs from writer Kerry Livgren. Coinciding with the album release the band embarked on a European tour, bringing it to four countries in seven days.

Disbanded

In May 2007, the band reported it had begun studio work on its next effort, a collection of new tracks coupled with several previously recorded Livgren tracks interpreted by Proto-Kaw. However, in early December 2008 Kerry Livgren confirmed that Proto Kaw was no longer together for a variety of external reasons. Several tracks of the pending album were worked on, but plans to include them on a Proto-Kaw album were scuttled. Livgren thought that they may appear within a solo work of Livgren's at some future, undetermined date.

Reunited again

Following Kerry Livgren's massive stroke, and partial recovery, he announced in late 2010 that Proto-Kaw was back together and at work on a new album, slated for January 2011 release. The new album entitled ''Forth'' was released on Livgren's Numavox website in August 2011 and a CD release party was held in Kansas City.

Band members

Original band *

Lynn Meredith Lynn Meredith is an American musician and abstract artist who was a founding member of the group Kansas (band), Kansas. Early life and education Born in Yankton, South Dakota, Meredith's roots are in rhythm and blues, later branching out into ...

– vocals * John Bolton – electric saxophone, flute * Don Montre – RMI piano, flute,

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgians, Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭ ( ...

– guitar, piano * Dan Wright –

Hammond organ The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert, first manufactured in 1935. Multiple models have been produced, most of which use sliding #Drawbars, drawbars to vary sounds. Until 1975, sound was created ...

* Rod Mikinski – bass guitar * Zeke Low – drums * Brad Schulz – drums Current band *

– guitar, keyboards *

– vocals, narration * John Bolton – saxophones, flute * Dan Wright – organ, keyboards, percussion, background vocals * Craig Kew – bass, background vocals * Mike Patrum – drums * Jake Livgren – lead and backing vocals, saxophones, guitars, keyboards, percussion

Discography

Studio albums

*'' Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973'' (2002) *''

'' (2004) *'' The Wait of Glory'' (2006) *''Forth'' (2011)

References

External links

official websiteKerry Livgren's official website
{{Authority control Rock music groups from Kansas Cuneiform Records artists