Formed 30 years ago by a diverse collective of creative college grads from the University of Vermont and Champlain College, Belizbeha went on to become one of the biggest bands to come out of Burlington before self-imploding on the brink of signing a record deal and what seemed like a sure-fire trajectory of success. Known for its infectious mix of hip-hop, jazz, funk and soul that could whip capacity crowds into dancing frenzies or knock ’em out with beautiful ballads, the band released a couple of stellar albums — the now classic “Charlie’s Dream” in 1995 and the lauded “Void Where Inhibited” in 1998 — and were crisscrossing the country on nonstop tours. But it all came to a screeching halt shortly after, when inter-band relationships dissolved, and group members went their own ways.
“On our way to sign the record deal in ’99, the two couples broke up and the band just fell apart,” said Kyle “Fattie B” Thompson, the charismatic MC and Burlington hip-hop godfather. “Doing 200-plus shows a year with each other and just beating each other up on the road, we wanted to punch each other in the face and were fighting, and you could just see it crumbling.” Suffice to say, getting together for a reunion show was the last thing on the minds of band members.
“We were never going to do a reunion ever,” said the Bristol native, in a recent phone interview. “We didn’t like each other.” But not long after the dust had settled, a close friend of the band convinced them to get together again to play her wedding.
“That was the spur of us being, like, we kind of do still like each other,” said Thompson, “and people do still like the music.” The spark has been rekindled with scattered reunion shows over the years, including well-received and attended headline shows at The Flynn, the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival and Higher Ground. Belizbeha will be performing for the last time, though, with two shows at Higher Ground Ballroom Sept.
27 and 28. Thompson, 54, cited geographic locations, age and logistics as factors in the decision. “It’s just so much,” he said.
“As fun as they are, it’s like six months of planning.” Serendipity seemed to be at play, though, as the two available Higher Ground dates happened to coincide with UVM alumni’s 30th and 25th anniversaries — a large part of Belizbeha’s still loyal fanbase. “It just all lined up to where we were, like, this is it, let’s do this,” said Thompson.
“We all feel like this is really, really a good way to do it.” ‘Proud of our legacy’The talented ensemble will be joined in kicking out some old-school jams by a noteworthy cast of special guests and supporting acts — and a couple of big-name surprise guest appearances, according to Thompson. Both nights will feature a four-piece horn section that includes the likes of Joey Sommerville — a professional musician who produced “Charlie’s Dream” and now lives in Spain — Jennifer Hartswick, Shane Kirsch, Dave Grippo and Chris Peterman.
Burlington house music maven Craig Mitchell and Collin Craig get the party started on Friday, while Hartswick and singer/guitarist Nick Cassarino kick things off on Saturday. “The shows are going to be insane and it’s going to be fun to do it one more time,” said Thompson. “It’s such a great sound and tight sound,” he said about his fellow band members, many of whom are still involved in music.
“Any of those guys could have been in major touring bands, and they chose to do this small town college band thing and try to see it through. I always thank them for that.” The shows will obviously be bittersweet for all involved, though Thompson said the group recently decided to still gather for annual family gatherings moving forward.
“There are going to be some tears, for sure,” he said, adding, “We’re blessed to even be able to do it.” “Belizbeha is really such an amazing gift,” said Thompson. “It’s joyful to people and it transforms them back to the mid-’90s when it was a much less stressful world.
And people just love that two hours of going back to their mid-20s in their mindsets. I don’t take any of that for granted.” “I’m proud of our legacy,” he said.
“I think people look up to what we did and still appreciate the music and still appreciate us as people.” “It brings joy to people and that’s the most important thing for me,” he added. “I love that part of it, and I’m proud of that.
” thomaswhuntington @hotmail.com.
