PHANTAZMAGORIA (formerly “Phantasmagoria” with an “S”, now a “Z”) believes in a smorgasbord of various elements of blues, rock, jazz, funk, soul, and R&B with a southwestern Idaho flavor. In February of 2011, PHANTAZMAGORIA’s EP-CD, “Call of the Wild,” was issued (see review on this page).

Beforehand , Ken Harris recruited fellow Hoochie Coochie Men guitarist Mike Trail and tenor saxophonist Dean Jennings (who soon signed up trumpeter Jim Kloss) to start a rockin’ horn band. Ken also approached Boise Modern Jazz Orchestra leader/baritone saxophonist Sandon Mayhew, who volunteered to lead PHANTAZMAGORIA’s horn section and in turn recommended alto saxophone specialist Ryan Thomas, trombonist Troy Oppie, and drummer Scott Reusser.

Simultaneously, the concept was pitched to vocalist Christian Koppenhafer and later vocalist/percussionist Kent Persons. Finally, trumpeter Rob Walker was invited to the initial recording session at Cunningham Audio recording studio in Boise, Idaho and the eventual result was the CD “Call Of The Wild”. Rob later recommended bassist Jon Bonine and the twelve member lineup was complete.

PHANTAZMAGORIA’s world debut was held on Fat Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Jo’s Sunshine Lounge in Boise, Idaho. “Call Of The Wild” has been receiving steady airplay on KBSU, 90.3 FM.

Since then the band has played The Boise Music Festival, The Boise Blues Society Sunday Blues Picnic, The Mountain Home Arts Council Summer Concert Series, The Knitting Factory and The Reef in downtown Boise.