With a collective résumé encompassing the proto-grunge Glenrustles; the retro swing-jazz Hot Heads, the Straw Dogs, the Jaztronauts, and the Volare Lounge Orchestra; to country and bluegrass outfits like the Vibrochamps, the Becky Schlegel Band, and Reverse Cowgirl; to local pop/rock icons like Chan Poling and Tina Schlieske's Lola and the Red Hots, it's hard to believe there are only three guys in the Smarts. And their debut release, 'A Tribute To,' offers a musical curry of these weird and wonderful influences, which reveal themselves not only from song to song, but often within a tune itself.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Horwich gives a major, modern upgrade to the phrase 'one-man-band.' Using a stable of a dozen acoustic instruments -- including guitar, mandolin, ukulele, saxophone, harmonica, flute, percussion, and the human voice -- along with 'looping' technology, he builds multi-layered music that crosses folk, jazz, pop, blues, and funk. His repertoire includes a mix of vocal and instrumental tunes, covers and originals. He can also be heard monthly as the host of the Minnesota Public Radio show 'In the Loop.' More info, videos and MP3s at JeffHorwich.com