Queens native Little Mike grew up on the very competitive New York City
music scene. He started playing harp at age 14 and took up piano two
years later. His first brush with the blues came while hearing John Lee
Hooker at Carnegie Hall and later listening to a Paul Butterfield
record.After that Little Mike couldn't get enough. If a blues show was in New
York City, Mike was there, especially when the Chicago players came to
town. His favorite was Muddy Waters. "I used to go and see Muddy anytime
he was within 150 miles of New York," he said. "He is easily the
biggest influence on the band and my playing. And if it's not Muddy
himself then it's the great guys he always picked to play with him, like
Pinetop Perkins and Otis Spann on the piano or Little Walter and James
Cotton on harp."Another musician Mike greatly admired was Paul Butterfield, who would
regularly come and see Mike's band perform. He liked their old "Chess
sound" and took Mike under his wing. Mike says, "He helped me become
less of a blues purist, and more of a music purist. Paul opened up my
playing and taught me to put my blues in other music forms, to make it
very personal." Other influences cited include Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley,
the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, and
Walter Horton.After leading a series of bands as a teenager, Mike formed the Tornadoes
in 1978. At age 22, Mike was leading one of the busiest and toughest
blues bands in New York City. Whenever a visiting blues artist came to
town and needed a band, Little Mike and the Tornadoes usually got the
call, backing artists such as Walter Horton, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley,
Lightning Hopkins, and Big Mama Thornton. Mike's reputation led to the
band's touring as the backing unit for blues legends such as Pinetop
Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, and Jimmy Rogers.Little Mike and the Tornadoes proudly describe themselves as a "working
class band" that plays blues with a rock 'n' roll edge. "We all come
from working class families and tough, working class neighborhoods,"
says Mike. "Working class people have always been our biggest
supporters." Music luminaries who have sat in with the band include
Robert Cray, Jaco Pastorius, Kim Wilson, Jorma Kaukonen, James Cotton,
Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Taj
Majal.In 1988, Mike played on and produced Pinetop Perkin's first domestic
release, After Hours. The following year he did the same for Hubert
Sumlin's Heart & Soul. Both recordings are available on Blind Pig.In 1990, Blind Pig released the first solo album by Little Mike and
the Tornadoes, Heart Attack, which Mike also produced. It features all
original songs and guest appearances by Perkins, Sumlin, Butterfield,
Ronnie Earl, and Big Daddy Kinsey. The album thrust the band out into
the spotlight, where they began to tour almost non-stop across North
America and Europe, establishing themselves as true road warriors.Little Mike's success led to a 1992 follow-up release entitled
Payday. The material is once again all original and draws upon Mike's
blue-collar upbringing and experience. Says Little Mike, "It's the best
thing I've ever done. Best writing, best playing, and best producing. I
think I'm finally getting the hang of this." LITTLE MIKE AND THE TORNADOES
Formed in in 2009, Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose
collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to
bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the
world. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences—from spirituals to
Depression-era blues, from ragtime to traditional jazz—their sound
evokes the rich musical heritage of their New Orleans home. The band has
gained a loyal following through their distinctive sound, their
commitment to reviving long-lost songs, and their barnstorming live
performances.
We are happy to announce that our newest album "Owl Call Blues"
is hot off the press and available to all. Recorded this past January
at home in New Orleans, it has 15 previously unrecorded songs, and
beautiful artwork by Shaye Cohn. Hard copies are available here from The Louisiana Music Factory or at any of our shows. TUBA SKYNNY
Thelonius is a five piece urban jazz band based in Bristol UK performing
a mix of originals, classics from the golden age of hip-hop and some
nasty jazz tunes.Imagine if Mr Monk and A Tribe Called Quest - with J Dilla in tow - all ended up in a small smokey jazz club in Prague. SECOND ALBUM – “Crows on the Beeline” is the title of Thelonius’ new album which has been released worldwide and is available from iTunes. “On behalf of Music Resource Group and our distinguished judging
panelists, it is our pleasure to congratulate Thelonius on winning top
honors in the Jazz EP category for Reminisce in The 12th annual Independent Music Awards.” REMINISCE, the debut EP from urban-jazz band Thelonius, as featured on
the BBC6 Gilles Peterson show and Tom Robinson’s Fresh On The Net, is
now available from a variety of sources including iTunes and Amazon. Bristol-based Thelonius cement the relationship
between jazz and hip-hop through their interpretations of classics from
A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, The Roots, Common, De La Soul, Gang
Starr, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, E.S.T and Robert Glasper as well as a
host of originals that bear that unmistakable mix of strong and interesting beats and instrumental dexterity from the soloists. THELONIUS
Lisa Biales - “Belle of the Blues”. Lisa
Biales’ musical roots run deep. Her love and appreciation of singing
came at an early age as she grew up in a musical family. Lisa started
playing the guitar at the age of eleven, at age thirteen she was playing
for church services, and when Lisa was seventeen, she was singing Jazz
Standards in her parents Dixieland Band.In
2003, Lisa earned a Masters Degree in Theater from Ohio University, her
professors were encouraging her to continue with a PhD. After much soul
searching, Lisa decided she had gone far enough in academia and decided
to quit her day job to give her undivided attention to the music that
had been calling her for so many years. In
2006, Lisa turned her focus to songwriting and recording. She released
an album of original music entitled, "Chasing Away The Blues" which was
produced with Grammy Nominated Celeste Friedman. The album is receiving
international attention on the folk and blues charts and her song “Where
The Buckwheat Blooms” topped the International Folk Play list at #32
that year, right between Bill Monroe and Cat Stevens. . . not bad
company. "A taste of soul, and the blues . . . elements that have
ensured pure musical art." ~ NPR MusicIn
2007, Lisa released “Come To Me” which was recorded with Nashville
producer Gary Scott. "It is very exciting and inspiring to collaborate
with such talent." Scott said. “Come To Me” showcases Lisa’s talent for
writing a song that is perfect for her voice.”In
2008, Lisa released a collection of folk, roots and traditional American
tunes for children called “Yellow Shoes.” John Funnell of 88.9 WYN-FM,
Australia says, “Yellow Shoes just proves that children's songs have a
lot to offer adults, too.”“Hey
There” was also released in 2008. This CD was recorded in mostly one
takes, at home with no fancy footwork or overdubs. “The Norman
Rockwell of songwriters with a crystal pure voice.” - Marc Nolis,
Mazzmuzika, Belgium“Closet Hippie” released in 2010 is Lisa’s
most honest and intimate work to date. As her writing continues to
evolve, her performances are deeply moving and magical as she taps into
the essence of each song. “Lisa’s version of the Jimi Hendrix song
“Little Wing” ranks among those of John Mayer, Sting and Clapton.” ~
Brian O’Donnell, 89.7 WNKU-FM.In 2012, Lisa released “Just Like
Honey” which was produced by EG Kight and Paul Hornsby. The album stayed
on the roots music reports for over a year, and was played on Sirius
XM’s Bluesville extensively. This introduction into the blues was met
with enthusiasm from blues fans, DJ’s, and critics alike. "When I play
your song PEACHES, the phone rings off the hook! - Linda Yohn, DJ WEMU
"Lisa Biales has one of those great voices of our times." - Cascade
Blues AssociationIn 2013, Lisa released “Singing In My Soul”
with Ricky Nye & The Paris Blues Band further garnering her a place
in the blues world. “I wanted to make a record of upbeat, happy early
blues tunes.” All cover tunes with the exception of “Magic Garden,”
showcasing Lisa’s incredible vocals and an uncanny ability to take a
cover tune and make it fresh and new. "Lisa Biales has one of those
great voices of our times." - Cascade Blues Association.In 2014,
Lisa releases “Belle Of The Blues” a fitting moniker for someone who has
spent her career making great music. Featuring seven songs from the EG
Kight songbook. Kight and Paul Hornsby produce this CD with Tommy Talton
on acoustic guitar, dobro and electric slide, Randall Bramblett on
Hammond B3, Hornsby on Piano. The disc features a duet with Kight. The
title cut was written by Kight and long time writing partner Tom Horner
for the project. Tracks from Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie and a co-write
with Biales, Kight and Horner is sure to put a smile on your face. LISA BIALES
From an old steel mill city once described as “hell with the lid off”
comes a singer/songwriter with red-hot fire in her soul. Melinda is her
name, and this Pittsburgh-born artist could well be described as the
belle of blues-infused rock. She’s been raising roofs for years, from
Boston to Los Angeles, with her four alarm voice and earthy stage
presence. No gimmicks, no girl-pop. Just full-tilt rock and roll.Melinda is one of those rare artists who found their calling at a young
age. She picked up an electric guitar at 13 and began soaking up the
sounds and styles that would influence her singing and inspire her
writing: the desperate blues wail of Etta James, the swampy growl of
Janis Joplin, the searing guitar licks of Jimi Hendrix, the raw
intensity of The Rolling Stones.By 15 she was sharing the stage with notable Pittsburgh musicians who
recognized her inborn passion for rock and blues music. She paid her
dues in every conceivable venue – from ballrooms to ballparks to brick
alley bars – honing her skills and developing a style all her own.The toil and sweat paid off. Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of
Music awarded her the World Tour Scholarship, as well as the Aerosmith
Endowment Award for outstanding achievement in music. She went on to
co-found a Boston-area all-girl rock band, Mass Ave, that wowed
audiences and piqued the interest of major record labels.But Melinda knew she was destined to make her mark as a solo artist. She
keeps on rolling – on stages and studios around the country – and is
poised to become a bona fide presence in the rock world. Her 2010 EP
“Don’t Be Sweet” received favorable reviews and considerable air play.
She wrote or co-wrote four of the disc’s five songs, collaborating with
Grammy Award winning singer, guitarist, producer Kevin Bowe on “The Hard
Way.” Billboard’s World Song Contest recognized her for the EP’s title
track. Next up is a full length CD, scheduled for release in early 2014. MELINDA
Amber Sweeney is an accomplished soul/rock singer, songwriter, and
recording artist who recently signed with Seattle based record label,
London Tone Music, to release a single as part of their 52x52: A Year In
Your Ear project. Her single “Lone Sailor,” produced by Geoff Ott, is
due to release later this year. In 2013, Amber released two E.P.s: The Starting Line (April 16) and
Christmas Time (November 28). Both were released worldwide through CD
Baby and are available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Spotify, Pandora
Radio and more.
Upon release of The Starting Line, Antimusic said, “In an age of
auto-tuned so-called singers, a truly gifted singer like roots rocker
Amber Sweeney is a breath of much needed fresh air.” Amber’s voice, musical talent, and songwriting have also been featured
in two CW television series: One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected (Flying
Machine, Girl In The Moon, Quicksand, Maybe, Stars, Feel This - written
by Jonathan Jackson of Enation) while one half of the duo known as
Everly. Her voice has also been featured in Stephen King’s film
adaptation of Riding The Bullet, while bass player and back up singer
for the rock band Enation. She can also be heard on another northwest
band’s album, The Alleged Album by One From Many (Tears We Cry Alone and
Shape Of Your Heart). Amber has been privileged to play at a variety of venues over the years,
including: Bossanova Ballroom (Portland, OR), Genghis Cohen’s (Los
Angeles, CA), The Corn Palace (Mitchell, SD), The Whiskey A Go-Go (Los
Angeles, CA), The Troubador (Los Angeles, CA) The Rutledge - Tin Pan
South (Nashville, TN), Moulton Falls Winery (Yacolt, WA), to name a few.
She is also scheduled to play Maryhill Winery (Goldendale, WA), and
Clark County Fair (Ridgefield, WA) as part of her summer dates for 2014.
She is known for being engaging and truly entertaining during her live
performances.
Along with recording and performing, Amber has also launched a
production company called In The Rounds Productions, is a member of
ASCAP, and is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences, better known as the Grammys. AMBER SWEENEY
Nick Moss and his band have been
featured performers at blues festivals across the globe but it's at home
in Chicago – the capital city of the blues – where he and his band get
the ultimate stamp of approval from one Hall of Famer and blues icon Buddy Guy.
Music fans the world over come to his famous club where they'll often
find Moss playing that prestigious stage, booked by the icon himself
because "Nick is a favorite at my club, Legends. He always works hard to
please the audience." Other luminaries are equally effusive in their
praise, rare in the competitive world of guitar gods, as none other than
former Roomful of Blues bandleader and distinguished solo artist Ronnie Earl declares "Nick Moss is my favorite guitarist," high praise from one of the greatest practitioners of the instrument. It's that ability to please, entertain, and amaze audiences with his staggering guitar skills that make the 16-time Blues Music Award nominee one of the top draws on the blues circuit and most exciting, dynamic performers working today. Noted author and historian Bill Dahl
has praised Nick's "mastery of the classic Chicago sound" and declared
him "a prolific songwriter, and the most exciting blues guitarist we
have around here." That's quite an accolade from a man who has
interviewed icons like Bo Diddley, written liner notes and overseen
massive retrospectives of giants like Freddie King and Sam Phillips'
historic Sun Records label, and written a respected book about the
history of Motown.Nick Moss demonstrates his mastery of the classic Chicago sound and so much more onstage — and has also been recognized by the International Songwriting Competition
for his ability to add amazing new songs to the venerable blues canon.
His creativity, which has advanced his sound to incorporate new styles
and ideas, has made an impression on blues master Jimmy Thackery, who says, "Nick is at it again, pushing the evolution of his music, stylistically as well as sonically." NICK MOSS BAND
Mammal Hands are a trio of like-minded musicians: Nick Smart piano,
Jesse Barrett drums and percussion, and Jordan Smart saxophones. Drawing
on influences from Steve Reich to Bonobo and Pharoah Sanders to The
Cinematic Orchestra, alongside elements of North Indian and African
music, they produce their own beautiful, inimitable music – at times
wistful and melancholic and others raucous and catchy. They evoke a
range of moods, from delicate and subtle to explosive and frantic,
blending thoughtful compositions with spontaneity and interplay. On the
road they have been wooing audiences from the Norwich Arts Centre to
Mostly Jazz Festival Birmingham, King’s Place London, Band On The Wall
Manchester and most recently Love Supreme Festival Glynde. Indeed it was
at Mostly Jazz that the band were heard by Gondwana Records recording
artists GoGo Penguin’s bassist Nick Blacka, who liking the band’s unique
sound brought them to the attention of label boss Matthew Halsall, who
immediately signed them to the label and has now produced their sublime
debut album, Animalia, which is released on 15th September.
Mammal Hands met in April 2012, while busking in Norwich. They gelled
quickly, drawn to each other’s open approach to music making. The
brothers Nick and Jordan were already playing together as an electronica
duo but with drummer Jesse joining the band they developed a
distinctive sound drawing on their love of electronic, contemporary
classical, world and jazz music. Drummer Jesse’s knowledge and
understanding of Indian Classical music brings a unique/distinctive
approach to the rhythmic framework of the band’s tunes. His disciplined
study with tabla maestro Sirishkumar has allowed him to develop the
ability to explore intricate and complex rhythmic patterns and the
freedom to explore time signatures and rhythmic patterns less commonly
heard in the western world. Jordan brings a love of DJ culture as well
as the influence of Pharoah Sanders to his playing whilst pianist Nick
brings a knowledge of classical Jazz harmonies but also a deep interest
in the minimalist composers (Terry Riley, Steve Reich) which has
influenced his compositional approach, striving to create hypnotic,
rhythmic patterns that can provide a foundation for Jordan and Jesse to
build on. It is this unique combination of influences and their unusual
baseless line-up that makes Mammal Hands’ sound so distinctive.
MAMMAL HANDS
The first time you hear Andrea Motis you will be amazed. Many of her videos have more than 200,000 views on YouTube. This young vibrant artist sings with a maturity and personality well beyond her 17 years, oh and she also plays the saxophone and trumpet brilliantly. Her mentor and teacher Joan Chamorro is responsible for her exceedingly rapid development. But not only this, together with Joan Chamorro, a musician with a successful background, has also revealed herself as an excellent singer who manages to thrill to every note that comes from within.Now, under the leadership of Joan Chamorro, an album has been published where the young star Andrea Motis protagonists a good demonstration of the new Catalan jazz talents. With the name Joan Chamorro presenta Andrea Motis.The selection of songs chosen includes over an hour of classic jazz of the first half of the twentieth century, although there are forays into bossa nova. In this recording of standards, among others accompany, there are Ignasi Terraza, Bobby Gordon and David Mengual.The Quintet is accompanied by the guitarist Josep Traver, pianist Ignasi Terraza and Esteve Pi on drums. Joan Chamorro & Andrea Motis Group has performed at several festivals in France, Switzerland, in Brazil and have collaborated and recorded with some of the top musicians including: Dick Oatts, Scott Hamilton, Ken Peploski, Scott Robinson, Terell Staford, Wycliffe Gordon, Jesse Davis, Bobby Gordon and others. Do not lose the opportunity to follow them, especially Andrea Motis, who promises to be very successful at the jazz scene. Many people have compared her voice to Norah Jones. Discover them! JOAN CHAMORRO ANDREA MOTIS GROUP
Giles grew up in Trumbull, CT and came to Chicago in 1993. His first gig
was with Buddy Scott and the Rib Tips (who is the grandfather of the
bass player on this album, Joewaun Scott-- he was 15 and Giles was 18
when they first met. Do the math if you must). Giles played every
weekend at Lee's Unleaded Blues for over a year, honing his craft. Lee's
Unleaded is now rather famous, as it is sadly the only functioning
blues club left on the South Side of Chicago.
After graduating the University of Chicago in 1997, Giles joined Billy
Branch and the Sons of Blues. This was a pivotal gig for the young
guitar player, and his first exposure to national and international
touring. In addition, Giles played some shows and recorded with Syl
Johnson and Buddy Miles at this time. In 2001 Giles was hired by his
long-time guitar hero, Otis Rush, to play in his band. Giles toured with
Otis Rush until the elder guitarist's 2004 stroke sadly made live
performances impossible.
In 2001 Giles Corey, along with drummer Rick King and pianist Marty
Sammon (both on this session) founded the band Lubriphonic. Marty soon
left to join Buddy Guy's band, but Giles and Rick managed to release 4
studio albums, and one live album. Giles was the singer and songwriter
for the band. Lubriphonic's relentless tour schedule and energetic work
ethic honed the skills of an inexperienced songwriter and front man.
As Giles developed as a songwriter, he sought more of the truth he found
in roots and blues music. Lubriphonic had been a fantastic live band
with infectious rythms and catchy horn lines. However, Giles longed to
try other ideas, ones that did not fit within the rubrick of
Lubriphonic. When Lubriphonic stopped touring in 2011, the seed was
planted for a new project. GILES COREY'S
Writing and performing music was something that always seemed a natural progression to me. Ever since the early beginning of my musical journey at age 11 when I picked up the guitar for the first time.I was very lucky to be able to perform publicly from a very early age on by being involved in the school’s band led in a passionate way by Miss Kern, a brilliant piano player in her own right. Many wrong notes later and at least 10 bands later I have found myself backing a major artist at a prime time television show "Hitparade der Volksmusik". I took this as an incentive to take music to the next level and moved to Guildford 30 minutes south of London to study popular music and Jazz under the brilliant Stefan Redtenbacher.It was here where my love for variety in music such as Jazz and Latin
got fed with the right ingredients. I found myself in a very vibrant
environment and started gigging almost immediately. It was in this scene
where I was allowed to be part of projects which put me on an
inevitable path. Just after my first studio recording for Radio Capitol
FM. I started as musical director on a private Television show called
"Virtuoso Song Contest". An X-Factor type of idea. The show
unfortunately never got off the ground. If it was because of me, many
apologies, I don't hope so. On the back of this I was offered a contract
to go on a cruise ship and ended up 6 months on and off and seeing
nearly the entire world from Southampton to Vietnam.It was from then on when things really started to pick up and I had a
run of performing with some of England’s most prestigious Jazz and
Classical musicians. There were unforgettable moments when I was asked
to play with the London Gala Orchestra under the Musical Direction of
the brilliant Steve Bell. I turned up at the gig with a newly bought
acoustic nylon string guitar, my pride and joy, for 500 pounds. I got it
out of the case and showed it proudly around thinking this must be the
best thing those guys have ever seen. The violin player next to me then
got her violin out of the case which was a 250.000 pound instrument. I
sat quietly in a corner for the rest of the evening:-). There were many others such as Maria Friedmann a protégé of
Stephen Sondheim and Michel Legrand, Teatro a platinum selling vocal
group, the mad Irish Sam Flynne who made his name as piano player for
the Eurhythmics, Roachford and Stevie Wonder or the unforgettable
Rosemarie Squires best known for singing with Les Paul and the magic
Brian Dee who made his name Mding Miles Davies.In the five years of my professional life I had the luck to
play in some of the best venues in Europe such as the Purcell Room in
the Royal Festival Hall being on the same bill with one of my heroes
John Schofield. All in all there are too many to name. PETE ROTH BAND
Born and raised in the Chicago Area, Amy Hart got her start playing
blues in festivals as a teenager opening for such artists as Koko
Taylor, Junior Welles and James Cotton. Putting her own stamp on the
groove she migrated to LA and released "Too Cruel" a track on the
Mercury Records Soundtrack for the cult movie "Girls Just Wanna Have
Fun" Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt and from there hit
the road as a singer/songwriter.
Decades, deals and several disks later she has returned to her blues
roots, with the lastest release, "Congratulations" on Painted Rock
Records.was born and raised in Chicago. She began her musical career at the family piano at age 2. When she was in high school she began playing guitar and writing songs. Her first professional gig was in 1979 with Flash Point, a west side Chicago Blues Band. Her first appearance was at Mayor Jane Byrne's Summertime Chicago Concert Series on Broadway at the Armory in Chicago. She was soon a regular on the Blues stages, playing at Kingston Mines on Lincoln Avenue and at B.L.U.E.S. with Junior Welles. She has also opened for Koko Taylor and James Cotton. She entered and won the WLUP sponsored Chicago Rocks Contest twice and released two compilation records with the radio station. She took her music to California to work with producer John Ryan (Doobie Brothers, Santana) and released a song on the Mercury Records Soundtrack "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" in 1985. The song "Too Cruel" was co written by Tim Tobias and Amy and Tim were a duo for some time performing in L.A. The movie has achieved cult status, and continues racking up royalties around the world for Amy Hart. AMY HART
Patrik Jansson Band was formed in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden in
late 2007. After playing drums in various blues bands and jazz combos,
hard-rock and metal acts for several years, Patrik decided it was time
for another challenge. He picked up the guitar and started playing and
singing in hopes of developing as a songwriter and a musician. “I’ve
always loved to learn new things” he says. With a passion for heavy
Texas blues and with a new mission in life he started looking for
musicians to play with. “I had a pretty clear idea of what I was looking
for” he says, “I wanted to play blues with a more modern approach.
Blues is supposed to feel fresh and alive, it’s a most vital music in my
opinion. In short I wanted to play the kind of music that I would like
to hear myself and that I think a lot of other people would like and
appreciate”. In the beginning of 2011 PJB released their self-titled critically
acclaimed debut album on the Sneaky Foot Records label. The music could
best be described as a mix of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Buddy
Guy, Freddie King and Joe Bonamassa, to name a few of the influences. After some line-up changes it was time to start writing songs for the
follow up to the debut album and in late 2013 the band entered the
studio to record “Here We Are” their second full length album, an album
full of heavy, funky, groovy blues with a focus on strong melodies and
great songwriting. With guest appearances from Mikael Fall (Harmonica world champion 2013)
and the great Swedish female blues singer Lisa Lystam, the record is
full of great songs and great performances. A lot has happened since the
start in 2007 and since the first record, and it becomes even clearer
when you listen to the new record. It’s a heavier, darker and more
mature band you'll be hearing. "I put a lot of time and effort into
making this record and I really try to make my music mean something, I
try to write songs that make you feel something, songs that matter and I
believe we're gotten closer to that goal with the new record and I
think you will hear it when you listen to it. I hope you enjoy it”. THE PATRIK JANSSON BAND
Whether accompanying her self at the piano, fronting a trio, big band or
symphony, Dee Daniels' musical career is as varied as her four-octave
vocal range is thrilling. She is a unique talent who transcends musical
borders when she brings her jazz styling, infused with gospel and blues
flavoring, to the stage. One critic says, "Daniels' voice has a hypnotic
quality, delivering an impressive range that gives the romantic songs
and verse of 50 years ago new life and raw emotion."Though Dee has a B.A. Degree in Art Education and taught high school art
for a year in Seattle, she quickly realized that her true calling was
music. Her vocal style was born in her stepfather's church choir in
Oakland, California, refined through the R&B era, polished during a
five-year stay in The Netherlands and Belgium from 1982 to 1987, and
brought to full fruition upon her return to North America. During those
years to the present, she has performed and recorded with many 'Legends
of Jazz' including Toots Thielemans, Houston Person, Clark Terry, Lionel
Hampton, Ed Thigpen, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton,
Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, and Russell Malone – to mention a few.Dee's international career includes performances in twelve African
countries, Australia, South America, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong,
Japan, throughout North America, and many countries within Europe. Career highlights include Dee being named Artistic Director, in
September 2011, of the Frank DeMiero Jazz Festival - a camp dedicated to
Jazz Vocals with around 60 participating schools; a nomination for
Atlanta Theater’s 2010 Suzi Bass Award; the 2009 receipt of an Honorary
Doctorate Degree of Fine Arts and 2008 President’s Award, both from
Capilano University; 2003 recipient of the prestigious Commemorative
Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and
induction into the University of Montana’s School of Fine Arts Hall of
Honor as well as a 1997 University of Montana Distinguished Alumni
Award; a 2002 inductee into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame with a
plaque installed on Vancouver's Granville Street Walk of Fame; and a
command performance for the King and Queen of Belgium’s 25th Wedding
Anniversary. Sharing the stage while singing the blues with the late
Sarah Vaughan, and singing gospel and blues with the late Joe Williams
remains at the top of her list! DEE DANIELS
Born
in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Queens, New York, Missy’s first real
memory of singing is at age six. Her mother entered Missy in a child
talent contest and everyday she practiced with her after school. It was
her favorite thing to do. For some reason the contest was cancelled and
her afternoon practice sessions stopped, but Missy was hooked from then
on. “Singing would always be my friend and I would turn to it whenever I
needed to express something I couldn’t find the words to say,” says
Missy.Her
parents had an extensive music collection that included lots of soul,
R&B, blues, jazz, and gospel. Her favorite songs were always the
ones that told a story. It wasn’t always the most popular song on the
album, but she would play them over and over and over. She listened to
Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, The Staple Singers, Teddy
Pendergrass and a host of others. And like many before her, Missy
mimicked other singers until she found her own voice. Later she would
discover Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday and that
eventually lead her to O.V. Wright, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, James
Carr, Ray Charles, Ann Peebles, and Irma Thomas.Although
singing is her love, she had her first stab at the music business while
in her teens with the rap single, “Be For Real” under the moniker,
Denyce "Flip" Isaac. Although the record’s success was small, it still
led to her being the opening act for Cissy Houston in a string of club
dates. It wasn’t long before Missy turned back to singing, honing her
skills fronting local bands as well as doing studio sessions as a
background vocalist. Moving
to San Diego, California, she met local blues man, Earl Thomas in the
late 90’s. It was then that she became one of the original Juke Joint
Jezebelles, a gospel, blues, and soul quartet, who provided backup
vocals for Earl’s stage show. She played and toured with Earl for
several years hitting festivals and venues in the U.S. and Europe. Earl
Thomas and the Jezebelles shared the stage with Ray Charles, B.B. King,
Robert Cray, John Hammond, Keb’ Mo’, Kenny Neal, and The Meters. MISSY ANDERSEN
Christos Anestopoulos born in Patras,Greece in 1971.
He study classic guitar and he got diploma on the
instrument.
He study electric guitar and he got lessons and clinics from many great jazz guitarist.He is a teacher of Guitar.He has compose music for dance and theater,movies and he release two albums with his music``swinging over the surfaces`` and ``wish you could stay``There’s no avoiding the influence of Bill Frisell on this recording.
And considering that fellow-guitarist Anestopoulos names two separate
tracks “Friselland” indicates he’s fully invested in Frisell’s sound as
both musician and fan. As a huge Frisell fan, this album totally
floated my boat. There are tracks that sound eminently like Frisell
pieces. There are tracks that sound nothing like Frisell pieces, but
the use of electronics and looping and effects, and a strangely ominous
jazz-folk hybrid put it smack dab in the middle of Frisell territory. A
couple tracks incorporate some elements of Anestopoulos’ native Greece,
and nothing about that breaks the album’s cohesion. Kind of jazz, kind
of folk, kind of rock, all of them but none… music with personality and
dramatic expressionism. Not just for fans of Frisell. A series of
guests contribute to this album, on a variety of wind instruments,
strings, and percussion. Very cool. CHRISTOS ANESTOPOULOS
Jazz singer, songwriter and pianist Tamuz Nissim from
Tel Aviv in Israel has spent the last six years in Europe performing
with the most talented musicians in festivals and music venues, leading
her own projects as well as singing in different bands, theatre shows
and movie soundtracks.Her debut CD “The Music Stays in a Dream” (2013) featuring her original
compositions was presented in radio shows in Israel, the Netherlands and
Greece and in several festivals such as the Athens Technopolis Jazz
Festival, the Preveza Jazz Festival, the Montofoli Festival and the
Tinos Jazz Festival. Her performances won warm reactions from the
audience and the press, describing Tamuz as a “very charismatic artist”
(BHMagazino), “a voice that caresses your soul” and “a proof that jazz
is a living art and that stars are still being born” (Athens Digital).Tamuz grew up in an artistic family; her mother is a dancer and a
choreographer and her father is a writer. Both of them play an
instrument and have a great love for classical and jazz music. She
started playing classical piano at the age of 6. She started to sing
when she was 14 and she was accepted to the Jazz music department of the
Ironi Alef High School of the Arts. Her high school band appeared twice
at an open stage at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival. At this time she won
twice a scholarship from the American Israeli Art Foundation. By the age
of 16, Israeli jazz giants such as Ofer Ganor, Amos Hoffman and Shay
Zelman had recognized her potential and performed with her. In 2005 she
sang in the soundtrack of Ilan Heitner’s movie ‘Bruno in Love’. At this
time she also worked with a group of dancers and composed the music to a
dance show, her mother’s adaptation of ‘A Street Car Named Desire’.She moved to the Netherlands in 2007 to study at the prestigious Royal
Conservatoire of Den Haag; from there she received a Bachelor’s degree
in Performing Arts. In the Netherlands she met musicians from around the
world and started collaborating with the guitarist Giorgos Nazos, the
bassist Vassilis Stefanopoulos and the pianist Francesca Tandoi, with
whom she recorded her debut CD. In 2012 she played the main role in a
Jazz Musical “One doubt Arose in the mind of a noble Vigilante” The
performances ware fully booked and well accepted.Tamuz spends her time travelling between Greece, Israel and Holland,
performing with her band and as a guest artist in music venues and
festivals. She leads two versions of her quartet, one in Greece and one
in Israel, both with the guitarist Giorgos Nazos, with whom she has been
playing for the last 6 years. She also performs with other influential
artists such as the Greek singer Martha Mavroidi; their project of voice
improvisations was presented in 2013 at Women’s Festival in Israel. TAMUZ NISSIM
Dave Douglas is a prolific trumpeter, composer and educator from New York City.His unique contributions to improvised music have garnered distinguished
recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Aaron Copland award
and two Grammy nominations. Douglas has developed his work for several
unique ensembles with whom he’s currently active, including his new
quintet, an electric sextet (Keystone),
duo with Uri Caine, Brass Ecstasy, Riverside, and the Soundprints
Quintet (co-led with saxophonist Joe Lovano). His new quintet released
its debut recording, Be Still, in September 2012 with singer Aoife
O’Donovan, the first time Douglas has featured a vocalist on a
recording. The follow-up to that critically-acclaimed recording, Time
Travel, released April 2013.Since 2005, Douglas has operated his own
record label, Greenleaf Music, releasing his own recordings as well as
albums by other artists in the jazz idiom. Douglas has produced over 50
records, including all titles at Greenleaf. Through his artist-friendly
approach and innovative practices, he continues to prove himself a
pioneer in new music marketing and delivery methods for the jazz world
and among artist-run labels.Douglas has held several posts as an
educator and impresario. From 2002 to 2012, he served as artistic
director of the Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at The Banff Centre
in Canada. He is a co-founder and director of the Festival of New
Trumpet Music, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2012. In 2013,
he begins his second year as International Jazz Artist in Residence at
the Royal Academy of Music in London and launches his own Jazz Workshop,
dedicated to enriching the musical experiences of younger players. DAVE DOUGLAS
Generation Blues Experience was co-founded by dedicated 12-year old
singer and guitar virtuoso Ray Goren in 2012 in South Central L.A.
together with veteran blues septuagenarian, Sammy Lee, and octogenarian,
Jamie Powell. A true product of his “generation,” Goren learned from
YouTube videos of the legends and was playing blues guitar in gigs
before the age of 10. But together with Powell and Lee the band has
busted age and musical barriers, resulting in landmark recordings of
blues power.Jamie Bluesboy Powell is an 80 year-old guitar player with an
unforgettable blues shouting vocal style, who has been playing the local
blues scene in South Central LA for years. His friend, harmonicist
Sammy Lee. is well known in Watts for the lonely train whistle sounds of
his harp as he sways with the relentless shuffle beat of his Louisiana
blues upbringing. Known to the locals at Bell’s Blues Workshop as the
Odd Couple, their conversations take on a Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau
quality making much ado about nothing, and having fun doing it!Ray Goren is a 14-year old musician, who began as a jazz pianist but
migrated to the blues guitar at about 8 years old. He’s acquired quite a
reputation despite his tender age, playing on opening night at the Main
Stage of the Chicago Blues Festival, at Doheny Blues Festival and
walking onstage with Buddy Guy at the Greek Theatre. Playing at the NAMM
conventions, he draws crowds of seasoned musicians. Recently Ray has
recorded an EP of his original music which was produced by Eddie Kramer
(Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss) and sits in on gigs with Robbie
Krieger of the Doors.These three came together two years ago when a well-meaning fan asked
Ray’s father if he’d like to meet some of the old men from Watts, who
really knew how to play the blues – the Real Deal. And that’s how they
first came to meet at Bell’s Blues Workshop – a residential juke joint
in South Central LA (an old drummer’s converted garage) that hosts a
blues jam every Sunday evening. Far from the festival and club scenes
Ray found a bustling sub-culture where the soul food is hot off the
stove, the laughter is loud and pure blues is in the air. When the three
next stepped onto the stage at a blues jam in a fashionable Burbank
club, magic was in the air. Electricity filled the room and everyone saw
the torch being passed from one generation to another. Generation Blues
Experience was born.The three of them bonded and became best of friends with age, color and
lifestyle boundaries all blurred. Blues became their language, They
landed a gig opening at the Golden State Theatre in Monterrey,
California for B.B. King in early 2013. “A band came out on stage to
open for the legend, B.B. King, and this kid – 12 years old – comes out
to front on lead guitar and vocals. What was more surprising is the
gifts that this musician possesses. He is a real phenomenon, and you sit
there not believing what you are seeing and hearing…. It was really one
of the most unbelievable moments I’ve experienced at any concert.” Rock
Subculture.With two albums already recorded - the first within 2 weeks of the
formation of the band and the second recorded live at their residency
gig at Lucy’s 51 in Toluca Lake - they decided it was time to create
their own music. Ray began writing songs – writing one specifically for
Jamie. Sammy wrote about his home state’s troubles with Hurricane
Katrina, and other band members wrote songs that Ray modified with his
own style while staying true to the blues shuffles and slow blues
melodies. These collaborations have resulted in “Private Angel” released
August 2014. GENERATION BLUES EXPERIENCE
An honors graduate of Humber College’s Jazz and Contemporary Music
program, where he was awarded the Gordon and Anne Wragg Music
Scholarship for academic and performance achievement, Shafton has also
studied privately with iconic Canadian bass player-composers such as
Chris Tarry, Rich Brown, Kieran Overs, and Mike Downes.He maintains a busy freelance schedule performing and recording in
support of numerous groups and artists from wide-ranging genres
including jazz, R’n’B, rock, folk, hip hop, country and musical theatre
and has shared the stage with eminent jazz artists such as David
Gilmore, Robi Botos, Waleed Abdulhamid, Daniel Barnes, Michael and
Gordon Webster, and Jamie Reynolds.In addition to driving Shafton Thomas Group’s quest to conquer the
world, Shafton also maintains a busy gigging schedule performing with
Newfoundland-grown hip-hop up-and-comers Large LIVE n’ Direct;
Regina-based piano-pop sensation Jeffery Straker Band, former Mike
Bullard Show House Band guitarist Mark Patterson’s Trio Project and
recently held the bass chair in Angelwalk Theatre’s Dora-nominated
production of I Love You, Because at Toronto Centre for the Performing
Arts. SHAFTON THOMAS GROUP
Melbourne pianist-composer Jex Saarelaht, best known as the leader of a
long-running trio, debuted his quartet with saxophonist Julien Wilson at
the 2007 Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Since then the personnel has settled
to include Jonathan Zwartz (bass) and Niko Schäuble (drums).Since the mid ‘80s, Jex has performed and recorded with an impressive
list of Australian and international musicians, from Dale Barlow and
Bernie McGann to Vince Jones and Chris Wilson, from Renee Geyer and Kate
Ceberano to Sheila Jordan and Steve Lacy. Key international
performances include the Edinburgh Festival, Birmingham International
Jazz Festival, London’s Jazz Café and Southbank, and the Aarhus
International Jazz Festival, Denmark.A founding member of legendary Melbourne bands, Dianna Kiss and Doug de
Vries’ New Tango Quintet, Jex has also led his own bands, including the
Jextet in the mid ‘80s. His trio played its first gig in 1993 with the
same line-up (Philip Rex and Niko Schäuble) remaining to this day. They
released a superb 2-CD set, ‘Fridays, Late’ (Bennetts Lane) in 1999. JEX SAARELAHT TRIO
Born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1964. Tenor saxophonist and composer.
Also plays soprano and alto saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet.Associate professor at the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, Denmark.
Teaches saxophone, jazz ensemble, ear training and entrepreneurship.Has studied at Berklee College of Music, with Herb Pomeroy, George Garzone, Hal Crook, Joe Viola, and Jerry Bergonzi.Has performed with Lars Jansson, Aaron Parks, Ben Street, Jeff
Ballard, Hal Crook, Alex Riel, Audun Kleive, Silje Neergaard, Per
Jørgensen, poet Peter Laugesen and the bands Pauseland, Must and Den
Danske Salmeduo. Has toured with his own band in Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Greenland, Iceland, England and Germany.Has recorded 15 albums as leader or co-leader; and over 50 albums as sideman.“Vuust’s mature tenor playing is delightful”Jazz Special (Scandinavia’s leading jazz magazine)“Christian Vuust has a masterful and soulful tone”Ingmar Glanzelius, Dagens Nyheter (Swedish national daily newspaper)“Vuust’s playing exudes an unobtrusive authority which, in concert
with his smooth rhythmic sense, he creates an ideal balance between
statements and expressions.”Boris Rabinowitsch, Politiken (Danish national daily newspaper) CHRISTIAN VUUST
“Soulful and exuberant” (Time Out) vocalist Mark Jennett has been a
regular on the London jazz scene for several years with appearances at
Ronnie Scott's, the Vortex (“regulars lapped it up” – Evening Standard)
and other leading venues. He has performed throughout the UK with his
own trio, and makes appearances with a number of big bands.Mark's second album Everybody Says Don’t (Jazzizit Records), produced by
Geoff Gascoyne, is a set of sophisticated reinterpretations of 20th
century standards from writers as diverse as Cole Porter and Randy
Newman. It is due for release in September 2014 but you can here some of
the tracks here in the meantime.As well as being in great demand as a musician, Geoff Gascoyne is well
known for his production and arranging work with Jamie Cullum and
others. Most recently he produced Jacqui Dankworth’s acclaimed Live To Love album. The stellar band includes Rob Barron (piano and
keys), Geoff Gascoyne (bass), Sebastiaan de Krom (drums) Martin Shaw
(trumpet) and Andy Panayi (saxes and flute). Anita Wardell says - “Mark Jennett is a unique story teller and,
regardless of genre of song, his interpretation is always fresh, new and
exciting. Wonderful, compelling listening.” MARK JENNETTT
