The Lamont School of Music is constantly turning out new student bands, and this year DU students have been booking some big shows across Denver. This summer promises some major shows around Denver and The Tickle Mafia is one ensemble you shouldn’t miss.

An eight-person funk ensemble, The Tickle Mafia played into the wee hours of Sunday morning at the Mercury Cafe and flaunted some new tunes and new outfits. But it all started a year ago, when The Tickle Mafia was the jazz and commercial studies fusion combo coached by Mike Marlier, the director of drum set studies at Lamont.

When the Mafia first played together last spring, it was obvious to the band members this was no ordinary ensemble.

“When we first started playing together, it was just incredible –  the vibe was great. We knew we were on to something, so we decided to get some outside gigs,” said Nate Leichtman, ’12 graduate of the Jazz and Commercial Studies program, who plays the piano, sings and writes a large portion of the band’s songs.

The Tickle Mafia plays at weddings, parties and other gigs all around Denver. While originally a fusion combo, the group got its main start in funk music.

“Originally, we were based in funk. Since then, we have expanded in every direction possible. We play funk, reggae, hip hop, whatever we want,” said Leichtman.

The Mafia is built of students and recent graduates of the Jazz and Commercial Studies program including juniors Aeryk Parker and Sean Culliton who play saxophones, sophomore Jackson Hilmer who plays drums, and recent graduates Justin Peterson on trumpet, Kenny Martinez on the bass guitar and Derrick Bozich playing guitar, while Leichtman plays keys and sings.

Originally, Lamont jazz vocalist Molly Cottrell sang, but after she graduated last year, Cottrell moved to Los Angeles. That’s when sophomore vocal performance and audio engineering major Megan Letts from Anchorage, Ala., took over vocals last winter.

“Playing with The Tickle Mafia is amazing because we get hired to play where people actually want to hear us,”

said Letts. “Sometimes as musicians, you get used to being background music. Not with the Mafia.”

This may be attributed to the Mafia’s attempts to keep its look as funky as its tunes, sporting outrageous costumes and hairstyles, such as gold pants, platform shoes and animal print.

“Our only guarantee is that all our tunes have attitude,” said Leichtman.  “They’re fun, funky, danceable and in-your-face.”

In extension of the Mafia’s fun and unique style,  the offbeat name of the band was a natural choice.

“Me and a few friends who are in the Mafia put together an insane list of about 200 band names. We just threw out ridiculous names; Floppy Roosters and Elevator Shaft were some interesting ones. Months later, I read them out loud to Aeryk Parker who plays sax for the Mafia, and he loved The Tickle Mafia, so it stuck,” said Leicthman.

Leichtman explained it is a suggestion to tickle the mafia members in order to get your way out of trouble. This sound logic, like most of the band’s zany and humorous nature, makes The Tickle Mafia an ever interesting and enjoyable band to watch.

“It’s one thing to go out on the weekend and have a good time, but the music we create really exaggerates the good time, the party element and we all let loose,” Letts said.

If you missed the Mafia’s funk show last weekend, the band will be playing a few shows over the summer, including one coming up on June 23 at 7 p.m. at D-Note in Arvada. Later in the evening, the band will be hitting up Larimer Lounge at 11 p.m. Tickle Mafia will also be playing on July 6 at Bushwhackers on Broadway.

Leichtman hopes students and people from the Denver community will come out to support the Mafia over the summer.

“We’re trying to bring the music to the people; music that everyone can dance to, that everyone hopefully will love,” said Leichtman.

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