Moniquea was born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Pasadena, California.
She vividly recalls watching her mother rehearse as a lead singer
alongside other relatives and friends in the Pasadena-branded group The
Roses. As a youth, she was exposed to countless volumes of 70’s soul and
the electrified sounds of 80’s R&B, which shaped her sound
immeasurably. Today, she counts a wide range of artists as influences,
from Deniece Williams and Etta James to Stevie Nicks. Her voice carries
two distinct characteristics that play into each other perfectly – A
“so-retro-it’s-actually-new” twang that harks back to Evelyn “Champagne”
King; the second, a jazzy vibrato that easily evokes the tender, smoky
voice of Erykah Badu or even Billie Holiday. Moniquea is vocally
equipped to sing contemporary R&B/soul, go the Amy Winehouse route,
or bring back the synthy, dance-friendly sound of 80’s boogie funk – her
current musical direction. MONIQUEA
Harlis Sweetwater, as a singer /guitarist/ songwriter and
frontman, has share the stage with everyone from Jimmie Vaughan,
Everlast, Chris Shifflet (Foo Fighters), ZZ Top, Los Lobos and Brian
Setzer to R&B/Blues legends Etta James, James Cotton, and Wilson
Pickett to name a few.He has been called "the best singer in any
genre" by music critic Robert Kinsler of the OC Register, While
SugarBuzz Magazine had this to say: "From the heart, Harlis
Sweetwater,you know instantly the real deal is upon you. This man knows
the blues."Harlis Formed the band earlier this year to get back
to the Blues/Soul music he loves. He enlisted fellow musicians Jimmy
Sena on Drums and Jason Holser playing Bass; both with extensive
recording and performing experience, to lay down a solid fountaion of
groove for His wild, bluesy & intense guitar playing and broad,
gravely soulful voice.The groups chemistry makes for high energy
performances that both entertain and mesmerize, and often times the
party on stage, rivals the one in the audience, making the Harlis
Sweetwater Band one of the more fun and enjoyable bands to see live.The
group recently released it's album "Lights Goin' Down" in Oct. 2012,
and is already garnering great reviews. Gary Schwind of the Examiner.com
stated "This Album Is Brilliant." while Blues Rock Review Magazine had
this to say: "the Harlis Sweetwater Band gives a nod to blues history
while forging forward with their own hard blues style." and Incognito
Magazine wrote in its review of the album "If you want some music you
can feel and not just hear, check out this band." HARLIS SWEETWATER BAND
BJ Block and Dawn Pemberton are a powerful musical force, who
have masterfully crafted songs rooted in soul, jazz, R&B, and funk.
The duo's newest release entitled "II", is the result of a unique
collaboration between the two accomplished musicians and is a potent
follow up to their 2010 release, "The Land of Make Believe" which was
nominated for a 2011 Western Canadian Music Award. "II" explores the
grit and the goodness of life lived and loved and reflects a deeper
lyrical and musical evolution.Learning 40 tunes in two days for a four hour set in a club with
no air conditioning in the middle of a record heat wave. Debuting new
songs at a gritty east side club more accustomed to hard rock and than
soul. Surviving jazz school and attempting to find a voice that will be
heard through the cluttered maze of the music industry. These are just
some of the experiences that would provide the context and inspiration
for this unique collaboration.In the Spring of 2010 BJ Block began work on a follow up to his
debut instrumental album 'Glitterball'. This next record was to be
another instrumental album with the addition of an occasional background
vocal for ambiance. After playing a number of gigs together around the
city it seemed only natural to recruit Dawn Pemberton, a staple of the
Vancouver RnB, Funk and Jazz scene, to provide the vocals. Dawn agreed
and the two would meet a few months down the road to collaborate once
the tunes were mapped out. The album was nearly finished when the two
ventured on an experiment; there was one song in particular that had
potential for lyrics throughout, so for the fun of it and with no
expectations in mind, the two began writing together, with Dawn taking
on the task of writing melodies and lyrics to the track. After only one
writing session, the two met a week later and effortlessly played the
song from beginning to end. This first draft would remain unedited and
became "Just Be", the first single off the debut album.
Initially approached as a children's album for grown-ups, "The Land
of Make Believe" explored adult challenges through the eyes of a
child. Rooted in Soul, Rn'B, Jazz and Funk, the album is uplifting,
playful and thoughtful, showcasing musicianship developed from years of
playing, practicing and touring. The duo's newest release entitled
"II", is the result of a unique collaboration between the two
accomplished musicians and is a potent follow up to their 2010 release. DAWN PEMBERTON
Few musicians have managed to navigate the richly varied avenues of New
York City’s abundant music scene with the same passion and adaptability
as trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle. Since his arrival in 1999,
Keberle’s diverse talents have earned him a place alongside a staggering
array of legends, superstars, and up-and-coming innovators.Leading his pianoless quartet Catharsis or arranging for the little big
band setting of his Double Quartet, Keberle draws upon lessons learned
playing alongside masters of a multitude of forms, from jazz legends to
indie rock ground-breakers, R&B superstars to classical virtuosos.
That includes playing with jazz greats including Maria Schneider and
Wynton Marsalis; hip-hop and R&B superstars like Beyonce, Justin
Timberlake, and Alicia Keys; Latin jazz leaders like Pedro Giraudo and
Ivan Lins; indie rock ground-breakers such as Sufjan Stevens; or playing
in the house band at Saturday Night Live, on the soundtrack of a Woody
Allen film, or in the pit for a Tony-winning Broadway musical. RYAN KEBERLE & CATHARSIS
Joelle Lurie’s bright voice and talented band has made her a first
pick for high-profile events including the recent James Beard Awards at
Lincoln Center. Originally from Boston, the New Yorker studied jazz and
opera and brings that training to her distinctive “jazzed up pop/popped
up jazz” modern style on Take Me There (September 30), her debut self-release of standards, originals and pop covers.Produced and arranged by longtime bassist and bandmate, Ben Gallina (Amy Lynn and the Gunshow, Anthony D’Amato, Honey Honey), Take Me There
showcases Joelle’s tight band of five years, The Pinehurst Trio. The
trio is named for the quaint street in Manhattan’s Washington Heights
neighborhood. All millennial kids, the trio is influenced by many
musical styles including pop, Motown, folk and jazz and have performed
around the world.Recorded at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, the CD engages from the
opening track, the jazz standard “All or Nothing At All” done with a hip
hop feel. Joelle calls on her contemporary pop influences with the
Tears for Fears song that follows, “Head Over Heels.” She welcomes
special guest vocalist and pianist Matt Kanelos on the next two moving
songs, “Should We” and the title track. Kanelos has been featured on the
ABC TV show “Private Practice”, on Nickelodeon’s “Degrassi” and on
NPR’s Song of the Day. Joelle returns on a sauntering version of Ric
Ocasek’s “Just What I Needed.” She, Gallina and Anna Marquardt wrote
the next track, “What We Have Is Better,” featuring a funky throwback
soul sound. The haunting 17 century secular folk song
“Hares On The Mountain” is given a jazz waltz treatment. Acknowledging
her musical theater roots, Joelle includes the Leonard Bernstein and
Stephen Sondheim song, “Somewhere,” which is followed by the standard
“Almost Like Being in Love,” which marries an uptempo swing with the
groove from “Can’t Hurry Love.” Next is “Three States Away,” a Burt
Bacharach inspired original with lyrics from a poem by Craig Crist-Evans
entitled “What The Heart Thinks.” “The Man I Love” by the Gershwins is
reimagined as an upbeat homage to Stevie Wonder. The closing song, the
classic “Detour Ahead,” is approached with a lush, orchestral studio
sound. JOELLE LURIE
J R Clark and Willie Styles have joined forces with Legendary Bass
Player and Alligator Records recording artist- Johnny B. Gayden from
"Albert Collins and the Ice Breakers" and Jerry "Bam Bam" Porter-drummer
who toured with Buddy Guy for 14 years, toured with Magic Slim and the
Teardrops, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and currently fresh off tour with The
James Cotton Band to put out a big sound of house rockin' blues, soul
and southern rock! Just about 7 months into this version of the group,
the guys are starting to click. Performing at several festivals like
South Bend Blues and Ribs festival at Coveleski Stadium, Kalamazoo Blues
Festival, and many regional venues in IN and MI. the guys are rollin'
and have just released their latest album titled "When It All Comes
Down". A high energy band with national talent that will put a smile on
your face and a groove in your step!
JR CLARK AND ALL STAR BLUES MOB
The celebrated Canadian soprano saxophonist is embracing voices again.
But these voices are of a slightly different sort. The Creole Choir of
Cuba is long gone to other things but Ms. Bunnett is back with an
exquisite new ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists named
“Maqueque”, which means, as Ms. Bunnett’s short note on the CD sleeve
points out, “the spirit of a young girl, in the ancient Afro-Cuban
dialect.” Much of the stellar reputation of Canadian jazz and world music heroine
Jane Bunnett has been based on her passionate and adventurous
explorations of the treasure trove that is Cuban music. She returns to
the island with well-received new project Maqueque. This pairs the
veteran composer/bandleader/multi-instrumentalist with six talented
young female Cuban musicians and singers.Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee, and Officer of the
Order of Canada, soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett has been
chosen as a finalist for the Ontario 2014 Premier’s Award for Excellence
in the Arts. The award, through Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture
and Sport, recognizes extraordinary achievements of the province’s
artists and arts organizations JANE BUNNETT AND MAQUEQUE
This record is a bruising and beautiful Rock n Roll record. It was produced by Kevin Salem and has Kevin Salem and Brian Fallon (of The Gaslight Anthem) playing electric guitar with me throughout. My best friend Brian Bequette is playing bass, and the amazing Joe Magistro is playing drums. More details and news very soon! Matthew Ryan releases his pure, honest and moving album Boxers today. Recorded last winter at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, NY with producer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Salem, The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon on guitar, longtime collaborator Brian Bequette on bass, Joe Magistro (The Black Crowes, Rich Robinson) on drums, and of course, Ryan himself on vocals and guitars. “It was a beautiful brotherhood,” Ryan says of the recording process.The title track, “Boxers” immediately grabs you with its’ melody and the stellar production while “The First Heartbreak” tells a distressing story with upbeat musical backdrop. Boxers also tells tales of the working poor in “Suffer No More,” the callous culture of capitalists in “We Are Libertines,” and the two together in “Heaven’s Hill.”From the silvery burst of feedback that opens the record, to the dissolving vérité of the last notes of the final song, Ryan writes songs that make you think and delivers them with an emotion that makes you feel. I’m honored to have been a part of his newest record!” Says The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon. MATTHEW RYAN
On Good News Ronnie Earl is joined by The Broadcasters, his band of over
25 years, to create a mostly instrumental album of spellbinding
intensity and deep soul that will satisfy his growing legion of fans.
Earl’s eighth album for Stony Plain Records shows, once again, the deep
respect and knowledge he has for his peers and mentors. Along with a
majority of original tunes, he is honored to record “Change is Gonna
Come” by Sam Cooke, “Blues for Henry” co written with Hubert Sumlin, and
the Junior Wells composition “In the Wee Hours.” “Runnin’ In Peace,”
which closes the album, features suppliant lyrics written by Ilana Katz
Katz, who was near the finish line of the Boston Marathon when the first
bomb exploded on April 15, 2013.
A Brief History Legendary blues guitarist Ronnie Earl was born Ronald
Horvath, in Queens, New York, on March 10, 1953. He didn’t pick up his
first guitar until twenty years later, beginning a musical journey that
took him to the sides of some of the most respected and talented blues
musicians in the world. Inspired by Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, B.B.
King, Freddie King, Otis Rush, Big Walter Horton and The Fabulous
Thunderbirds, Ronnie quickly developed his six-string skills, playing
with an intensity that hasn’t cooled in more than 35 years of playing. RONNIE EARL AND THE BROADCASTERS
The Brandon Miller Band is an exploration into the blues spectrum. This
rock-powered trio are in the midst of creating and writing their own
music and tailoring select blues gems for substantial 2014 shows. We
invite you to experience a truly explosive celebration of music. Brandon Miller has been very popular in the Kansas City area now for
several years. This young guitarist plays with the finesse and skill of a
player twice his age. While being influenced by many other great blues
musicians, his interpretation and style of blues will hit you with a
sense of emotion . . . and he will mean every note of it. Let the tones
soak into your heart as you listen and enjoy his heavy blues-influenced
style."These
times they are a changin' and it is thanks to great rock artists like
Brandon Miller that the blues can live on. Soulful playing with clear
influence from artists including Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray
Vaughan and more give The Brandon Miller Band an unforgettable sound.
The ten-track "Slow Train" album (2014) is filled with great blues rock
tunes, and artwork like no other. Despite his age, Brandon Miller is
working with incredible artists Danielle Schnebelen of Trampled Under
Foot (one of the first bands to join AMS, and the 2008 IBC winners). If
you haven't heard Miller sing the blues, take a trip to Kansas City just
to hear him sing and play. You won't regret it! This is one album that
I'll be listening to for a VERY long time!" - AMS Entertainment BRANDON MILLER BAND
Markey Blue is "Blues to the Next Level" according to fans.- Reeves
Guitars. An amazing group of talent brought together in the studio and
on stage, creating there own unique sound of music. "its not like any
blues or R&B I've heard out there. It opens the doors to several
genera's. Peter Fleming- Airplay Direct. There first Cd is due out this
fall and is already creating a buzz through out the music
industry. The Markey Band's resume is and outstanding eclectic mix of
the who's who in both touring and recording. Markey has had the honor of
performing for three past presidents, and has opened for and performed
with the likes of Bobby Blue Bland, Candy Kayne, Taj Mahal, Steve
Cropper,Anson Funderburg, Guitar Shorty, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope,
Frankie Valley, Andy Williams, Michael Fienstein, Robert Goulet, Maureen
McGovern, Jack Jones, Micky Rooney, Phillis Diller, Sammy Kershaw,
Kevin Sharp, The Osmonds, The Smothers Brothers and many more. Markey
was recently awarded one of the top five song writers for Georgia's
Songwriter Showcase Award Show, and ESPN just featured one of Markey's
songs for one of their program specials. Markey has already seen success
on a couple different music charts as a songwriter, arranger, and
producer. She recently won Best Female Blues Vocalist for Nashville
2011. MARKEY BLUE
Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a
Fats Waller-style stride-piano virtuoso, and tie the whole thing
together with a magnetic, one-of-the-boys frontwoman whose voice recalls
another era, and you have the Hot Sardines, an NYC outfit (with a tap
dancer) that’s been called “consistently electrifying live”
(Popmatters). The Sardine sound – wartime Paris via New Orleans,
or the other way around – is steeped in the kind of music Louis
Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Waller used to make: Straight-up,
foot-stomping jazz. Pianist-bandleader Evan “Bibs” Palazzo and
Paris-born singer Miz Elizabeth (who owe their collaboration to meeting
via Craigslist) describe their band as “born in the 1920s, but raised in
the ’00s,” reflecting a philosophy that hot jazz, dixieland and Tin Pan
Alley tunes are all pop music, not historical artifact to be handled
with kid gloves.The Sardines started 2013 headlining the
TCM Classic Cruise, kick off a bi-monthly residency at Joe’s Pub in
April, are slated to play the Great GoogaMooga Festival, the Spiegeltent
and the Blue Note Jazz festival, and continue to turn regular haunt The
Standard Hotel into a “saloon in the sky” (The Wall Street Journal).THE HOT SARDINES
Dave
grew up in New York City the son of a noted gifted composer arranger
producer Sammy “Forever” Fields. From the time Dave was a young child he
grew up in his father’s recording studio being exposed to the likes of
Sammy Kahn, Rupert Holmes and Stevie Wonder. Being raised by nanny who
was from Waycross Georgia,
an eclectic dash of southern culture was mixed into Dave’s persona. In a
strange twist of fate, his sister Launa a gifted musician in her own
right, lost her hearing by the time she was 14. Witnessing his sister’s
struggles in a hearing world profoundly affected Dave. “After seeing my
sister’s agony from being discriminated against for her condition I was
determined to never let that kind of injustice happen again in my
presence. I always felt that one of my missions in life was to be able
to communicate with people and to listen to them. It’s one of the
beautiful things about being a human being. We all want to connect with
one another”. Nowhere is that feeling more evident than in Dave’s music.
His gift of making his guitar talk combined with his uncanny way of
weaving many different styles of music together is an example of how we
as humans are a fabric of many different cultures and walks of life.
Dave, “growing up in NYC I was exposed to so many different foods,
music, cultures… It was truly a melting pot of humanity. I believe I am
the kind of artist that reflects what I see and what I’m exposed to. As a
musician I was put on this this earth to spread joy, love and life to
everyone. I try to do that what every note I play, with every lyric I
write and sing. If I do anything less than that I feel like I’m letting
the listener down”. Dave’s
musical path has been quite a journey, after attending Berklee College
of music, Dave was immersed in the NYC music scene as a first call
guitarist and multi instrumentalist. Dave, “ My Father made sure that I
could play a lot of different instruments and styles so I could make a
living. Unlike many blues musicians, I was raised to be a musical “hit
man”. I got to do sessions with many famous musicians and producers like
Tommy James & Ahmed Ertegen (to name a few) and even was on staff
of one of the top five jingle companies in NY LOOK MUSIC”. But Dave was
more than just a craftsman, his passion for music could not be satisfied
with just being a writer for hire. Dave, “ I made the decision in 2006
that I was going to make a stand in my life. That I was going to do what
was really important to me. Honestly…. I was too scared in my younger
days! LOL! So I set out on m new career path, being Dave Fields the
artist. Another thing was I had backed up and produced so many other
artists and one day it dawned on me, why am I doing this for everyone
else? Why can’t I do it FOR ME!”. DAVE FIELDS
Ms. Germain is an accomplished violinist that we will be hearing a lot about going forward. Check out her playful yet precise interpretations on her Latest Album “Little Dipper” . Sassy vocalist conjures up some fun on “How about you” ! Whats next ? This record rocks!! Nora did a fantastic job bringing violin back into the jazz scene. From her Gershwin rendition of “Someone to Watch Over Me,” to the original fiddle tune “Tommy,” this record is full of beautiful tunes! Oh and her voice on “How About You” is just lovely! Fantastic job, Nora! 23 year-old jazz violinist Nora Francesca Germain is the first ever violinist to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the renowned USC Thornton School of Music. An alumna of the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy High School in southern California, Germain was given the "Inspirational Jazz Student" Award at the age of 17 by her mentor and fellow collaborator Marshall Hawkins, former bassist for Miles Davis and Shirley Horn. She was also the first jazz violin graduate of Idyllwild Arts Academy. Her parents and grandmother were all strings players (two were violinists, one a cellist) in the Madison Symphony, her mother becoming a violin teacher and her father becoming a violin luthier. Introduced to the violin at age 2, Germain was raised in Madison, Wisconsin and studied classical violin. At age 10, she was already performing and improvising with bands and venturing outside of her classical training. NORA FRANCESCA GERMAIN
Bees Deluxe is a full-tilt, acid blues/funk/rock collective comprised of
Boston-based musicians.
Their unique repertoire includes over three sets of originals and 60s,
70s, and 80s covers from Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul,
Charles Mingus, B.B. King, Kenny Burrell, Freddie King, Herbie Hancock,
Albert King, Etta James, Muddy Waters, The Meters, Little Feat, Ray
Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Curtis Mayfield, The Butterfield
Blues Band, Derek Trucks, Donny Hathaway, Amy Winehouse, Steely Dan,
Etta James, ZZ Top, Robben Ford, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby 'Blue' Bland,
SoulLive, Derek and the Dominoes, Robert Cray, Edgar Winter, Amy
Winehouse, among many others. Taking the road less traveled, they
discover and share off-the-beaten songs and instrumentals and fuse them
into their own original works. They dare to be risk-takers on stage,
digging deep into the vaults of blues/jazz antiquity.
The result is an effortless take no-prisoners-approach that wittingly captures the audience's hearts.
Among their favorite venues, they've played the Foundation Room at the
House of Blues in Boston, Smoken' Joe's in Brighton, Johnny D's in
Somerville, the Newport Blues Café, the Grog in Newburyport, Salvatore's
in Medford, Jake's Dixie Roadhouse in Waltham, the Chicken Bone in
Framingham, Tres Gatos in Jamaica Plain, Stella Blu in Nashua, Bull
McCabe's in Somerville, Fat Boy Bill's in Milford, Frankie Dee's in
Kingston, the Honey Fitz in Malden, the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain,
Firefly's in Marlboro, The Burren in Davis Square, Glory in Andover,
Thirty One Main in Ayer, and Stella Blu in Nashua. They've hosted the
Weekly Sunday Blues Jam at the Loft in Harvard Square, (the venue
formerly know as The House of Blues), and at Johnny D's in Somerville.
They have played at MIT and Northeastern University, public non-profit
benefits, private, and corporate bookings.
BEES DELUXE
Eufórquestra (pronounced yoo-FOHR-keh-struh, think euphoria+orchestra)
is energy and rhythm personified. An ever-evolving sound that has been
influenced by music from all over the world with an emphasis on funk,
pocket and groove. For over a decade the band has been igniting dance
floors across the country, blending the roots of funk, soul, afrobeat,
reggae and dub to create a sound that “explodes, dances and melts in
your ear with sheer bliss"Eufórquestra’s fifth full-length record, FIRE, was produced by Kyle
Hollingsworth (of The String Cheese Incident) and captures the passion
and musical maturing of these road warriors. Over the course of 14
tracks, the band takes you on an hour-long adventure that will touch
your heart and mind, and keep your fingers and toes tapping. A handful
of special guests, including Elliot Martin (John Brown’s Body), Gabriel
Mervine and Kim Dawson (The Motet) and Mr. Hollingsworth himself, put
their own touches on the band’s already cohesive sound that is “tight
and engineered to a fine, funky precision.” (Jeremy Frazier; Chicago Jam
Scene) The result is a record that is distinctly modern, maintaining
one foot in the future and firmly planting in the musical roots
traditions of the past. With almost 1,000 shows under their belt, Eufórquestra shows no sign of
stopping. A perpetually heavy tour schedule keeps the band and fans
happy, as performing live in front of an audience has always been the
band’s top priority. As noted in a live show review by Grateful Web,
“...the boys seem to play like the apocalypse will happen at any second
and they want to die doing what they do best...” EUFORQUESTRA
The Skyla Burrell Band is a full time, hardworking traveling blues
band. With co-founder Mark Tomlinson on lead guitar and Skyla Burrell on
vocals/lead guitar, the band's live show consists of all original high
energy electric blues.The band released their debut studio CD, "Working Girl Blues" in 2004,
containing 12 original songs. Several of the cuts topped the charts on
independent music websites and internet radio stations and received
local, national and international airplay on blues and mainstream radio.
"Working Girl Blues" was selected by WTMD 93.7 as one of the top 5
blues releases in 2004 and Mark Tomlinson received an Honorable Mention
for his track "Bad Dream" in the 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting
Contest. In 2005 the band was a semi-finalist in the 22nd Annual
International Blues Challenge. In 2006 the band recorded and toured in
Europe, and released their sophomore effort, "Livin' Day to Day" which
again received local, national and international air play on mainstream
and blues radio and was featured on cable television's Rockin' Cookin'
Kitchen show as well as being named one of the top 50 blues CD's
released worldwide by Delta Art and one of top 10 Blues CD's by WTMD
FM. The band played 240 shows in 2006 and secured the #1 Top Booked
Band slot on Sonicbids.The band kept up their busy schedule (between 2006 and 2007 playing a
total of 465 shows) and expanding their tour radius to include the
Mid-West and New England and in the late summer shot of 2007 filmed a
live DVD with the Digital Cafe Tour in NYC at the Baggott Inn. In the
fall the band went back into the studio to begin work on their 3rd
studio CD. In 2008 the Skyla Burrell Band signed with Blues Boys &
Divas Talent and released their third CD of all original material,
"Tough Luck" . Cuts off of "Tough Luck" received airplay on over 150
blues stations in the US and abroad. In 2009 the band kept up their busy
touring schedule covering the Mid-West, South-East and North-East
regions of the US all the while writing tunes for a new studio CD. The
band sold a track from "Tough Luck" to the producers of the CBS/CBC
drama "The Bridge, which aired over the spring in Canada and was the #1
rated drama, and made its US debut in the late summer. Skyla traveled to
Toronto to record vocals for 4 cover tunes which were also featured on
the show. The band also filmed a commercial for the Lazy Dog Cafe and a
segment for the "The Straight Ahead Guitar Show." The band kept up their
hard working schedule of touring and started work on writing tunes for
their next CD in 2010. "Real Love" the band's 4th studio CD was released in the early Fall of
2011 containing 14 new original tracks and saw the band touring
extensively and working hard. With 2012 came more tours up and down
the East Coast and recognition within the Blues Industry with an
induction into the Blues Hall of Fame representing Pennsylvania. 2013
was a busy year of touring with several high profile Festivals including
the Bonita Blues Festival, The Western Maryland Blues Fest, and the
Winchester Blues House Festival. SKYLA BURRELL BAND
Christian Blues Band formed in Jan 2012. We plan to use our music to
help spread the message of The Gospel of Jesus and bring glory to God
while having a great time playing some good music.“Thought I would take a minute to review the CD I recently purchased
from The Righteous Blues Band. I won’t lie, I am a die hard rock fan,
but I like a smattering of all genres of music. I really liked the
praise music on this CD. Having been raised catholic with a father who
loved old time gospel music I am familiar with many hymns, but my
favorite (and my father’s) has always been “Amazing Grace”. The
Righteous Blues Band’s rendition of this song is hauntingly beautiful.
Other favorites of mine from the CD are the “Righteous Shuffle” and
“Water Grave”. All of the music is great, and I can’t wait to see what
the band will put out next time. Great job guys!” “This is an absolutely EXCELLENT Believer’s Blues album! I’ve heard a
lot of Christian Blues music that had the title but only a couple of
songs that really had the substance. These guys got it NAILED! Very Good
Christ-centered messages, excellent guitar playing, good vocal work,
rockin’ rhythm section, and NO cheesy electronic keyboards like what
most Christian music is dominated by! I find it difficult to choose a
favorite….Go Straightway to their site & order your copy, I Highly
recommend it!” THE RIGHTEOUS BLUES BAND
Almost 3 years after the release of his first album "Seventy Seven" G's
Way is back with his new album entitled "Patchwork". It is with the same
ingredients that G's Way comes to light: a powerful rhythm section,
served by a heavy brass section and talented soloists from the
international scene. Always influenced by his mentors like Fania all
stars, Deodato, or Fela Kuti and Grover Wahington Junior,
"Patchwork" offers us a journey from funk to Latin music, through jazz
and afro-beat. But this time, "G's Way" has invited 3 rappers to
complete this musical revolution, marking a major change compared to
Seventy Seven .. With this touch of Hip-hop, "Patchwork" finally lives
up to its name, and bring G's Way in another dimension ... I hope you
like it! G'S WAY
The Heavy Chevy Band doesn't just
bring the one-two-three punch of Darcy Lee's award-winning volcanic
vocals, Janie Smith's screaming sax, and Brian Chevalier's electric and
slide guitars to the audience. These front-line experienced musicians
connect with music, humor and personal experience, interacting with the
crowd while featuring an encyclopedic span of blues genres - soul,
hip-grinding Chicago-style, Motown funk, delta-blues, '70s blues-rock,
bluegrass, Mississippi hill-stomp and zydeco. This style of music
combined with an artist-audience connection infuses the listener with
emotion, passion and musical education, drawing the audience into the
Heavy Chevy experience. Michael Axel Fleming and Tom Martin comprise the
live act's rhythm section with a fatback groove, deep and thick and
butt-wagging, keeping the music and the dancers jumping at every show.After two-plus years and over 300 gigs (including professional jams,
benefits and private functions), Heavy Chevy's emotional,
blues-genre-spanning album of new songs delivers some Motown-funk meets
Mississippi-Hillstomp bleeding into soul-searing torch-tune
house-rockers with Darcy Lee's voice sounding like Etta James channeling
Adele and Aretha Franklin, backed by Chevalier's guitar-licking sounds
of Albert Collins mixed with Stevie Ray, Keith Richards and
slide-master Hound Dog Taylor, topped by Janie Smith's overwhelming
saxophone presence that stabs your heart, sweeps you up and carries you
off with celebration. Heavy Chevy delivers new old-school music with
love and intensity.THE HEAVY CHEVY BAND
The son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Fabulous
Thunderbird frontman Kim Wilson come together for this tribute release.
FOR POPS (A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS) represents some of Mud’s favorite
songs from his father including the iconic “I Just Want to Make Love to
You” plus “Blow Wind Blow” and “Just to Be With You”. When you hear Mud
belt out his version of the classic “My Dog Can't Bark” it’s clear that
the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Kim Wilson lives up to
his reputation as the finest purveyor of the "Little Walter" harmonica
style by laying down some of his best work to date. Backing them is the
crack team of Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars), Barrelhouse Chuck
(Piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums). FOR POPS only
scratches the surface of the impressive catalog left by the master
bluesman, but this collection is a must for Blues fans everywhere.
We’re certain “Pops” is proud of his boy. MUD MORGANFIELD
Adam Meckler is a trumpet player, composer and educator living in
Saint Paul, MN. He holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Lawrence
University, and a M.M in Trumpet Performance from the University of
Minnesota. Adam has toured with Youngblood Brass Band, The Jana Nyberg
Group, Lulu's Playground, the Jack Brass Band, and Todd Clouser's A Love
Electric. He also plays regularly with Nooky Jones, The Graydon
Peterson Quartet, The Brass Barn Polka Band, The Good The Bad The Funky
and The Pete Whitman X-Tet.Meckler was the 2014 recipient of MacPhail Center for Music's
Artist Development Grant resulting in When the Clouds Look Like This, a
full length album of original music for Jazz Orchestra composed and
directed by Meckler.Meckler holds Faculty positions in trumpet and Jazz at McNally
Smith College of Music, and MacPhail Center for Music. He is also one of
three founders of SoKillingMan.com, a site dedicated to transcription
and analysis of jazz solos. He is an active educator/clinician
maintaining a trumpet studio in the Twin Cities and performing clinics
and workshops all over the US. ADAM MECKLER
In some ways Roots R&B/Americana singer/songwriter/piano player/guitarist KELLEY HUNT is a rarity and a challenge to the music industry's penchant for easy artist definitions -- a woman who has muscled her way onto the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/roots/gospel traditions and a refreshing originality. She makes music with it's righteous roots intact that also crosses boundaries, has an open-minded, exploratory attitude and takes on social and political issues. Together with a commanding, passionate stage presence and superior vocal, keyboard and songwriting skills she has earned the respect of critics and fans across North America and Europe.Born in Kansas City, Hunt’s love for her craft was ignited listening to early blues, R&B, roots rock, jazz and Gospel influences -- artists like Ruth Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Ann Peebles, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, Charles Brown, Wanda Jackson and a crossection of the New Orleans/St. Louis/KC piano traditions of Professor Longhair, Toots Washington, Johnnie Johnson and Kansas City masters Jay McShann and Mary Lou Williams among others. Before that came the sound of her mother singing jazz and blues - her first musical memories - and the influence of her New Orleans Gospel singer grandmother. Reminders of these very traditional influences are evident in Kelley’s live performances and recordings but the lyrics, soul and passion are all her own. Her career path so far has been a story of fierce independence, incredible will, unassailable cred as a blistering live performer and hard-won accomplishment. That narrative includes 1500+ performances with appearances on a long list of premier North American and International festival stages, six times on American Public Media's 'A Prairie Home Companion', nearly 150,000 indie units sold on her own label and critical praise reflecting her conviction from the outset to make her path in the roots music world not just as a performer, but as a forward-thinking songwriter as well.Hunt's world has not been short on substantive, impressive critical praise, including a fresh swell of kudos for the new generation of music first unveiled on her 2008 88 RECORDS release MERCY (EER0804, her 4th commercial release): "Kelley Hunt resides among those bluesy, soulful piano players who write great songs." "...the main attraction here is Hunt, whose rich, soulful voice is an instrument in and of itself, with a toughness that shines on cuts like "You Got To Be The Vessel." "Her piano playing and songwriting also function at the highest levels." "Emerald City" is a brilliant political statement…” -VINTAGE GUITAR. “… Her fourth release "MERCY" shifts the focus to her songwriting skills and immense voice." "...a superb live performer, immediately drawing you to the power of her music and her voice... " -ELMORE. "Surprises don't often crop up on the well-trodden blues circuit. So welcome Kelley Hunt. This Kansan is a full-blown phenomenon: Powerhouse singer, hardboogieing pianist, polished songwriter…” -MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE. “…the freshest slant on classic R&B you're likely to hear these days. She's a tough woman who makes a hip and burly sound." - WESTWORD Denver.
KELLEY HUNT
Born
and raised into a musical family in Wisconsin, guitarist and singer Liz
Mandeville grew up in an arts-filled environment. Her father played
guitar and sang folk songs while taking classes at the Art Institute of
Chicago on the GI bill. He taught his daughter to paint and sing, and
Liz often accompanied her father to art museums, gardens and art
galleries, wherever his work took him. Her mother was an actress and she
saw to it that her daughter had a proper education in the theater arts
as well, something which came in handy many years later when Mandeville
decided to pursue a career as a blues singer.Musicians
and artists were frequent guests in the Mandeville's home, and the
young Mandeville was encouraged to write songs, poetry and short
stories. Family vacations around the south exposed young Liz to blues,
bluegrass, traditional country and folk music and New Orleans jazz and
funk.Her first professional gigs were in coffee
houses around Wisconsin, playing songs her father had taught her. She
cited as influences on her earliest attempts at music people like James
Brown, Muddy Waters and Lightnin' Hopkins.Known
previously as Liz Mandeville-Greeson, Mandeville played the bars in and
around Chicago for most of the '90s and 2000s, and she made occasional
tours to points east — New York City — and West, to California, as well
as many cities and towns in between. She spent much of the late '80
touring across the U.S. and Canada by van with her then-band, theSupernaturals. During the 2000s, she worked with a band called the Blue
Points.In 1994, she met Chicago bassist Aron
Burton and subsequently performed with him at the 1994 Chicago Blues
Festival. She recorded two tracks with him on his 1996 album, Aron
Burton Live, and that led to her being signed to Michael Frank's Earwig
Music Company.Between 1994 and 1999, Mandeville was
a frequent sight on stage at the Blue Chicago nightclubs, where she had
the chance to work with a short who's-who of Chicago-area musicians,
including Willie Kent, Maurice John Vaughn and Michael Coleman. She
recorded her first two albums with musicians from that scene,including
Burton on bass, Allan Batts, keyboards, and drummer Dave Jefferson.Among
her awards and distinctions: she was nominated for Blues songwriter of
the year in 2008 by the American Roots Music Association, was named
semi-finalist in the 2006 International Songwriting Competition for her
composition, "Life Sentence of the Blues," and she received an award in
2005 for Best Songwriter in the USA Songwriting Competition, for her
humorous tune, "He Left It in His Other Pants."Her
albums, showcasing her spry, sometimes humorous original songs, all for
the Chicago-based Earwig Music label, include 2008's Red Top, Back in
Love Again (2002), Ready to Cheat (1999) and Look at Me (1996). She has
performed on a slew of other albums by Chicago-based blues performers,
including Johnny Drummer's 2000 release, Unleaded Blues, Aron Burton's
Live from Buddy Guy's Legends and a compilation of Chicago-area women
blues singers, Red Hot Mamas for the Blue Chicago label. LIZ MANDEVILLE
