Gran Torino Takes Slow Route to Success

Gran Torino is in the latter category.

Gran Torino, Knoxville's nine-piece funk rock orchestra, released its third full-length album, The One and Only, Sept. 24.

Led by frontman Chris Ford, the band has been on the road the past few weeks in support of the new album.

The band formed while its members were college students in Nashville in 1995. According to Ford, the band began to build a fan base through performances throughout the Nashville area.

"We started playing in the local clubs," Ford said.

After more venues and recording opportunities emerged, the band members ended their collegiate careers and began touring. The lineup includes two guitarists, a bassist, two trumpeters, a saxophonist, a trombonist and two drummers, making for a diverse live presence.

The band's success has been built on its energetic and intense live shows, coupled with strong songwriting and studio craft.

Ford said in an interview that the new album is by far the band's strongest showing.

Among the album's strengths, according to Ford, are the improved production and improved songwriting.

Ford maintained that the new album is closer to the band's idealized sound than its previous records.

"The new album is closer to the band's goals," he said.

The album is a more accurate interpretation of the band's strengths, which are, according to Ford, persistence, faith and diversity of musical tastes and backgrounds.

Ford also suggested that the group's musical arrangements, often a concern for large bands like Gran Torino, were better than before.

"We've learned where to strip it down," said Ford.

The most unique aspect of the band's arrangement is the presence of its two drummers.

Ford said this lineup allows one drummer to focus more on the backbeat while the other adds jazzier touches and color, bridging more of the gap between Gran Torino's rock and soul influences.

"(Gran Torino) is special because it encompasses many genres and caters to anyone," said Ford.

Among the more uniform influences on this group are Stevie Wonder for his "pop sensibilities," Bruce Springsteen for his full band and issues addressed, and Steely Dan for its jazzy guitar sound.

All the influences come out during a Gran Torino performance, where the band leaves little off stage.

"A Gran Torino show is blood, sweat and tears ... with no choreographed dance or pyrotechnics," Ford said.

When asked about what concertgoers could expect from a Gran Torino show at this point, Ford suggested the obvious new material, the band's new sound -- due largely to new guitar player Johnny Mann -- and a "full-tilt" show. And Gran Torino shows aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Ford's revelation on the group's future was that the band wishes "to continue for the next 10 years."

And Ford and the other members of Gran Torino are undaunted in their drive for greater success.

"It all comes in time ... and we have our first tour bus now."

The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.