GOLD HILL -- Zach Hedstrom moved to Fourmile Canyon around five years ago. Around that time, he and other musicians in the area started hosting gatherings to jam and enjoy each other’s company. Eventually, this gathering of people started playing local venues as a group, and thus, Canyon Collective was born.
The name Canyon Collective comes from the rotating lineup of the group. While there are core members who consistently play in Canyon Collective, there are also many musicians who jump in and out of the group that live in and around Fourmile Canyon, creating a welcoming environment for local musicians.
Hedstrom describes the group as a “high-energy global groove funk band,” as they play music primarily rooted in funk with various global influences such as Latin, West African, and reggae rhythms. In regards to core members, Hedstrom plays drums, Christopher Clauss plays bass, Ryan Benthall plays keyboard, Eshan Escoffery plays trombone, Matthew Wilkolak plays trumpet, Derek Miles plays guitar, and Greg Freeman serves as the percussionist.
The group doesn’t write structured songs for their performances, instead improvising their material together on stage. They’ll talk amongst themselves about what style of piece they’ll focus on in their next performance, then they’ll perform it on the spot, riffing off of each other in the process.
Recently, the group had the opportunity to perform in a mineshaft for a private party. The performance was recorded, and upon listening back to the recording, they realized they had something special. Because of this, the group has decided to release this recording as their first live album.
For Hedstrom, the improvisational style that the group embraces means that the musicians can embrace the present moment fully during their shows. He loves being able to take everyone’s ideas at face value and encouraging the performance to be a spontaneous musical collaboration.
Hedstrom loves being part of a band where every show gives a different energy through its spontaneity, and he hopes that everyone who comes to see a Canyon Collective show has a great time and feels encouraged to see them live again. For the group and the audience, every show is a different experience, and these musicians love that every show has a new energy.
You can see Canyon Collective performing live at the Gold Hill General Store, located at 531 Main Street in Gold Hill, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, starting at 7 p.m. You can keep up with the group on their Instagram page @canyoncollective_.
