Stratospheerius makes cosmic connection at Riverfront Nights

Stratospheerius will be rocking the river Saturday night as Riverfront Nights continues. The New York-based group, touted as the illegitimate child of Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dave Matthews and Blues Traveler, is known for its “psychojazz trip funk,” according to stratospheerius.co.

Stratospheerius is led by electric violinist/vocalist/mandolinist Joe Deninzon. The band has played colleges, festivals and clubs throughout the country. The group has opened for Mickey Hart, Tim Reynolds, The Slip, Ekoostik Hookah and John Scofield among others, the website noted.

The group was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, won the Online People’s Choice Awards in the Cornucopia Festival and was named Best Jam Band in Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards. They have performed in Australia, South America, Japan and Europe and recently released their fourth CD, “Headspace.” Riverfront Nights is produced by Friends of the Festival.