The Daryl McKenzie Band started in the early 80’s as both a versatile function band and a band that could back world class artists. Over the years both the 8-piece and big band have been critically acclaimed for their superb musicianship and polished professionalism.During the 90’s Daryl McKenzie took over the role of Musical Director of the Nine Network’s “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” which saw the Hey Hey Band perform with international artists such as Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Barry Manilow, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Roger Daltry and Randy Crawford; as well as Australian artists such as Tina Arena, Human Nature, Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Rhonda Burchmore, Debra Byrne and Marcia Hines (to name a few!). A reunion series saw the Hey Hey band back in 2009. Other TV shows Daryl and the band were involved with included Australia’s Got Talent (series 1, 2007) and Dancing with the Stars (4 eps. 2005/6) and the AFI awards (2004). The band toured internationally to the USA and Malaysia and also performed to large concert audiences in Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Sydney, Gold Coast and Ayers Rock.The Daryl McKenzie Band has been in demand for corporate functions and major events including the Adelaide and Melbourne Grand Prix (Billy Thorpe, Tommy Emmanuel, Jack Jones), the VAC Federation Australia Day concert, the Sounds of Christmas for the Salvation Army (Thelma Houston), the reopening of the Adelaide Casino, the Myer Melbourne relaunch (Guy Sebastian), VAC New Years Eve and Morning Melodies, Lindsay Fox’s 75th birthday (50 piece orchestra), Carlton FC's 15th night (Vicka & Linda, Daryl Braithwaite, Anthony Callea), Anthony Warlow & Faith Prince (Hamer Hall 34 piece orchestra) and was featured at the North Queensland Jazz Festival in Mackay, Jazz in the Vineyards at the Morning Star Estate and the Castlemaine State Festival. The big band has also featured on the soundtracks of several movies such as “Bran Nue Dae”, “Death Defying Acts”, “The Wogboy”, “Two Hands”, “Love and Other Catastrophes”and “Bootmen”. As the 18 piece Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra, the DMJO have recorded three critically acclaimed CD’s and appears monthly at the Apartment Bar and Restaurant performing with singers including Darren Percival, Wilbur Wilde, Rhonda Burchmore, Nina Ferro, Nichaud Fitzgibbon and Matt Hetherington.For occassions where a smaller band is more suitable, the Daryl McKenzie Band is available as a 14 piece band (still a big band sound), an 8 or 10 piece (a great function band with a horn section), and a 5 piece band (great for smaller weddings). All the bands feature top class singers.Both the big and small bands perform a wide range of material to suit all tastes. Our extensive repertoire ranges from the classic songs of the big band era through the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s disco hits and right up to the latest in great current dance music. We can tailor our repertoire to suit a themed function and can provide anything from an instrumental jazz trio to a symphony orchestra.Pricing for events are quoted individually depending on the customer’s needs. Example song lists are available for perusal. DARYL McKENZIE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
San Diego native Danny Green has managed to carve out a place
for himself in the lineup of young jazz artists who have a pulse on
keeping the tradition of jazz piano and composition alive while stepping
boldly into the future. According to JazzReview.com, “Danny Green is
what evolution in jazz is all about, expressing the traits of those that
came before him, with a style and panache that is all his own...an
individual who expresses what is inside of him.”Green revealed to
the world his impressive talents on his 2009 solo debut recording, With
You In Mind. The San Diego Tribune reviewed his debut recording and
described Green as “Equally adept at jazz, classical and various
Brazilian styles…but even in its most intricate moments, his music never
sacrifices soul for technique or substance for flash.” The album
received extensive airplay around the globe rising to on the Jazz Week Charts, and won “Best Jazz Album” at the 2009 San
Diego Music Awards. Green began working on With You In Mind after
producing the Afro-Cuban Jazz inspired album, Past Due (which featured
trumpet, bass, drums, percussion and a very young Danny Green). With You
In Mind focused on Brazilian influences cradled in mainstream jazz and
classical nuances.In 2012, Green teamed up with Tapestry Records
to release his latest album, A Thousand Ways Home. As on With You In
Mind, Green's compositions incorporate Brazilian and Latin as well as
jazz and classical influences. The core group consists of Green on
piano, Justin Grinnell on bass, Julien Cantelm on drums and Tripp
Sprague on soprano and tenor saxophone. Green also features an
incredibly talented cast of guest artists that include mandolinist Eva
Scow on four of the tracks, guitarists Chico Pinheiro, Peter Sprague and
Dusty Brough as well as Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela. The
camaraderie shared by the players is obvious. A Thousand Ways Home
received numerous rave reviews nationwide, rose to on the Jazz Week Charts, and was voted into KSDS Jazz 88.3’s “Top Ten Jazz Releases of 2012.”
DANNY GREEN TRIO
The Mighty Soul Drivers bring the classic Soul sounds of Memphis, Muscle
Shoals and points South to the hills of New England. The Mighty Soul
Drivers take their inspiration from the giants of Southern Soul - O.V.
Wright, Percy Sledge, Otis Redding and more and combine that with
contemporary tunes written in the classic style. The Mighty Soul Drivers
turn every venue they play into a Soul dance party!Bob Orsi - Vocals, Guitar, Veteran front man Bob Orsi's dramatic vocals have driven the success of
bands from CT's legendary Scratch Band to the award-winning D. Smith
Blues Band. Although perhaps better known to the public for his
harmonica skills, Bob is also an accomplished rhythm guitarist who
brings an extra dimension to several of the songs. And of course it is
his impassioned vocals that are at the core of The Mighty Soul Drivers'
sound. River City Slim - Drums, Vocals After singing and playing harp as the front man for The Blues Blasters
throughout the 90's, Slim has led The Zydeco Hogs as they brought the
sound of Louisiana Zydeco and Blues to the Northeast. Slim has been
spreading the Soul, Blues and R&B gospel over the air for years as a
DJ on WWUH and WAPJ. The idea for The Mighty Soul Drivers had been
kicking around in the back of his mind for a while when a chance meeting
with Bob at a CT Blues Society jam session in early 2012 finally put
the wheels in motion. Larry Willey - Guitar, Vocals Crowd-pleasing guitarist Larry Willey has led Blues and R&B bands
for years, including The Working Band and The Blues Talkers. After
witnessing the excitement of the Blues and R&B pioneers at the
legendary Shaboo Inn in its 1970's heyday, Larry cut his musical teeth
with CT Blues pioneers The Albert Otis Band, and has been a fixture on
the CT Blues and R&B scene ever since. Andy Karlok - Bass, Vocals Andy came off the road with nationally-known Blues artist Luther 'Guitar
Jr.' Johnson to join River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs as they
barnstormed their way throughout the Northeast. Andy has also held down
the bottom for Dr. Ya Ya's Gumbo Party, a New England band specializing
in New Orleans R&B. Steve Donovan - Keyboards. THE MIGHTY SOUL DRIVERS
Ernie Peniston was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2003.
He is a product, in part, of the Minneapolis music scene, and he has
shared the stage with Prince, Morris Day, The Temptations, Koko Taylor,
Lonnie Brooks, James Brown, Albert Collins, and many others. He also
spent four years as the frontman with Blind Pig recording artists,
Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings, traveling the US and Europe. A happenstance meeting in 2013 between Peniston and former EPB guitarist
Joe Collins and a daisy chain of phone calls thereafter pulled together
friends and musicians from across the country to re-form the Ernie
Peniston Band. This reunion led to a string of engagements, culminating
(so far) with the release of “Live at the Muddy Waters” (recorded
earlier this year) and an appearance at the opening night of the 30th
Mississippi Valley Blues Fest (Ernie played the first one in 1985).Peniston formed The Ernie Peniston Band in the Quad-Cities in the late
80’s, and the current players are a reiteration of an early 90's lineup
of reacquainted consorts from all over. THE ERNIE PENISTON BAND
Emphasizing old New Orleans-style ensemble playing, a stomping rhythm
section, and a genuine love of the hot, bluesy, no-frills melodies that
once poured forth from New Orleans’ dance halls, Shotgun Jazz Band
makes music that is both immediate in its influences and timeless in its
appeal.
To date, Shotgun Jazz Band has recorded 4 albums; Algiers Strut 2011, their enthusiastic live release, One DrinkMinimum 2012, and their official full-length debut, Don’t Give Up the Ship 2013. Scheduled
for a fall 2014 release is their latest, Yearning, recorded at
Luthjen's Dance Hall and featuring James Evans on clarinet &
saxophone, Charlie Halloran on trombone, and Ben Polcer on piano. While
SJB’s core lineup tends to be fairly consistent (Marla Dixon on trumpet and vocals, James Evans on reeds, Twerk Thomson on bass, Justin Peake on drums and John Dixon on banjo)
on any given night it may also feature incredible musicians such as
Orange Kellin, Tommy Sancton, Craig Flory, Charlie Halloran, Haruka
Kikuchi, Michael Magro, Walter Harris, Tom Saunders, Ben Polcer, Aurora
Nealand, Peter Loggins, Benji Bohannon, and Jon Gross. On special
occasions, even Barry Martyn comes out to play.These days Shotgun
Jazz Band is as equally at home playing for tips and smiles on Royal
Street as they are playing for dancers and fans at clubs, courtyards,
and weddings. SJB currently enjoys residencies at The Spotted Cat Music Club, Three Muses, & Maison Frenchmen, and may also be found at Mimi’s in the Marigny, Allways Lounge, Fritzel's European Jazz Club, DBA, Sbisa's, 21st Amendment, Marigny Brasserie, and Bacchanal. The Band has also been featured at Preservation Hall, Dew Drop Social & Benevolent Jazz Hall, WWOZ’s Traditional Jazz radio show as well as the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and has participated / or is scheduled to participate in several festivals, both in New Orleans and across the country. SHOTGUN JAZZ BAND
Music lovers across the globe have discovered the secret that music is
easily enjoyed with our ears, but completely experienced when our bodies
are moving in total accord with the surroundings. New Orleans’s own
Flow Tribe aims to prove this truth in their own style every time they
take the stage. Growing up in the dive bars and neighborhood venues in the city’s dimmest corners, this six-piece ensemble captures the passion of
the Crescent City, bending genres into their own brand of "backbone-cracking music.” Rooted
in the tradition of New Orleans R&B and funk, spiced with Cuban
flair, and dipped in rock and hip-hop, these musicians invite their
audiences to groove their hips until they sweat as they jump from rhythm
to rhythm each and every night. FLOW TRIBE
Have been playing their unique style of blues the world over for almost forty years. Not limited to one style, but able to play Chicago Blues in the style of Muddy Waters. Little Walter and Billy Boy Arnold; Kansas City Swing in the style of "Big" Joe Turner; Texas Blues like "T" Bone Walker and Freddie King; and the swampy Louisiana sounds of "Lazy" Lester-all played with the distinctive originality of band leader Sugar Ray Norcia, vocals and harmonica, guitarist "Monster" Mike Welch, Anthony Geraci at the piano and Hammond Organ, Michael "Mudcat" Ward playing acoustic and electric bass, and drummer Neil Gouvin.All of the members of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones have been featured on other Artists recordings which include Hubert Sumlin, John Hammond, Johnny Winter, Otis Grand, Pinetop Perkins, The Mannish Boys, Sugaray Rayford, Debbie Davies, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl and many more. SUGAR RAY AND THE BLUETONES
Paul Thorn's new album "Too Blessed To Be Stressed" stakes out
new territory for the popular roots-rock songwriter and performer. "In
the past, I've told stories that were mostly inspired by my own life,"
the former prizefighter and literal son of a preacher man offers. "This
time, I've written 10 songs that express more universal truths, and I've
done it with a purpose: to make people feel good."That's really
Thorn's mission for Too Blessed To Be Stressed, which can be heard as a
running conversation about life between Thorn and listeners - a
conversation leavened with gentle insights, small inspirations, and
plenty of cheer. "I wrote these songs hoping they might put people in a
positive mindset and encourage them to count their own blessings, like I
count mine," Thorn observes. "There's no higher goal I could set for
myself than to help other people find some happiness and gratitude in
their lives." PAUL THORN
Mandy Lemons and Low Society are blazing new trails on the stomping
grounds of Blues and Americana music. Texas Blues, Memphis Rock 'N Soul
and a healthy dose of New York attitude help define the sound and spirit
of their latest album, 'You Can't Keep A Good Woman Down', on Icehouse
Records. It's a diverse collection of original songs that inject new
life into, while remaining firmly rooted in, the traditional music that
they live and breathe. Among the albums guest appearances are two of
Memphis' best known musicians, B.B. King and Lionel Hampton alumni Dr
Herman Green on the saxophone and Lucero's Rick Steff on keys and
accordion. The album was recorded at the historic Memphis landmark,
American Recording Studio, and mastered by Stax legend, Larry Nix.Low Society is the brainchild of blues belter Mandy Lemons, and her
partner in crime, guitarist and producer Sturgis Nikides, former
guitarist for John Cale (The Velvet Underground). The pair has codified
their shared love of Texas and Delta Blues, soul music and rock 'n roll
into their own subconscious language. Mandy sings the blues with an
emotionally charged powerhouse voice that mixes original southern fried
soul and northern attitude. Woven together with Sturgis Nikides
blistering slide guitar they blaze their way through a veritable map of
the South. Holding down the rock solid rhythm section are Memphis native
sons, Mike "Drummerlife" Munn and Nick Dodson on the bass guitar. The
band has traveled extensively, playing hundreds of shows on festival,
juke joint and club stages everywhere from Eastern Europe to NYC, from
Mississippi to Texas, to Memphis, to Arkansas and Missouri, to
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Montana, Florida and points
beyond. They have appeared at Clarksdale Mississippi's Juke Joint
Festival for the last 4 consecutive years, the 2012 Bluesalive Festival
in the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as NYC's Howl Festival for 3
consecutive years. They also participated in the 30th International
Blues Challenge. Their first album, 2011's 'High Time' received critical
praise for it's raw "neo-delta" roots and blues sound. Big City Rhythm
& Blues Magazine said “these hipsters have taken southern country
blues and super-charged it to a white-hot intensity”. The band will be
hitting the road, from coast to coast to support the new CD, make sure
to keep an eye on their schedule - you don't want to miss this!!! LOW SOCIETY
Composer, saxophonist, poet and Guggenheim Fellow,
Oliver Lake, is one of jazz's most prolific and eclectic artists of the
last 40 years. Oliver Lake is known for everything from his solo
saxophone performances and recordings; to his solo music-theater work;
to his reggae-jazz group Jump Up; to his work as a founding member of
the World Saxophone Quartet; to his Oliver Lake Big Band; to the Oliver
Lake Steel Quartet which performed at The Space in 2004; and The Organ
Quartet, one of his most recent projects. Lake was a founding member of
the Black Artists Group (BAG) in St Louis in the 1970's where he grew up
with trumpeter Lester Bowie and pianist
John Hicks. He has received multiple commissions from the National
Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer, and the Mary Flagler Cary
Charitable Trust and his works have been performed by the Arditti String
Quartet, the World Saxophone Quartet, the Amherst Sax Quartet,
violinist Regina Carter, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the San Francisco
Contemporary Players, New York New Music Ensemble, and Pulse Percussion
Ensemble of New York. He has worked with a wide range of artists
including the pop singer Björk, rocker Lou Reed, jazz vocalist Abbey
Lincoln and rap group, A Tribe Called Quest. Other projects include a
collaboration with writer and law professor Patricia Williams, and the
Quagmire Trio with komungo player Jin Hi Kim and bassist William Parker.
Also an exhibiting visual artist, Lake continues to perform worldwide
with his own ensembles as well as in Trio Three, the long-standing
cooperative trio with percussionist Andrew Cyrille and bassist Reggie
Workman (sometimes augmented by pianist Geri Allen). OLIVER LAKE
This intergenerational collaboration between Grammy© Award winning
trumpeter Brian Lynch and new piano star on the modern jazz horizon
Emmet Cohen combines new school excitement and exuberant swing. In the
quartet setting, joined by legendary drummer Billy Hart and master
bassist Boris Kozlov, Lynch and Cohen present a program of their own
searching and often epic original music, bridging traditional and
contemporary sounds with virtuosity, passion and swinging aplomb. And as
a duo, they essay and recast jazz classics and standards (both classic
and contemporary) with warmth, intelligence and lack of cliche, often
journeying into uncharted territory only bound by their searching
imagination and desire to swing.
The musical lock between Lynch and Cohen has roots that go beyond the
work they've put in towards crafting a distinctive sound in both quartet
and duo formats. Their common ground in committing to grounded, yet
contemporary and uncliched playing and composing, coupled with the
mixture of Lynch's magisterial command and Cohen's poised beyond his
years musicality, has resulted in a original and compelling new group
sound tailored for today's listener. BRIAN LYNCH AND EMMET COHEN
Sam-One is a Blues Guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. Born in
Memphis, Tenn. July 10th, 1951. He began playing the guitar at the age
of eight years old. He also is a vocalist, songwriter, composer and
producer. Sam-One broke into the Southern Soul Market in 2009. With the
release of his CD titled ( You Ain't Right ). "Let's Make Love Tonight "
made it in the top twenty. Southern Soul RnB Songs of 2010. Puts
Sam-One up there among the best. " You Ain't Right " the title track. Is
a favorite among Southern Soul DJ's. His unique style is what made
Sam-One stand out as a respected artist of today. Listen to the way he
hit those Blues Licks that make you sit up and take notice. Sam-One is
destined to be one of the premier Blues Artist around. Although he only
has one CD on the market Sam-One is a seasoned musician who has played
with the best and held his own. There is more to come from Sam-One who
is currently becoming a household name in the music industry. His skills
as an arranger is evident on his CD. The way he put together his CD the
man knows his business. Sam-One is an artist you need to follow. To
purchase his CD go to CD Baby.com. you will not be disappointed. SAM-ONE
Americana, roots music, rough-around-the-edges folk. Canadian
songwriter Lynne Hanson prefers “porch music with a little red dirt.”
Hanson songs are like a favorite pair of jeans. They're rough around
the edges, faded and worn through in spots, with a bit of
honestly-acquired dirt ground into the seams. And they're expressed in
a rich voice coupled with accomplished guitar playing that demands
repeated listening. Hanson grew up in Ottawa Canada, and starting playing guitar when she
was 14, learning on a hand-me-down from an older brother. She released
her award-winning debut album – Things I Miss – in 2006, and with tales
to tell, two more albums quickly followed – Eleven Months (2008) and
Once the Sun Goes Down (2010). Each new release garnered critical
praise, earning Hanson a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination in 2009,
an invitation to the Kerrville Folk Festival as a New Folk Finalist, and
a year later the prestigious Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award handed
out annually by the Ontario Arts Council.Then … silence: A four-year hiatus from recording. It was time to kick
dirt over the tracks on the trail. Lynne took some time to take
control of her personal life and with it, a new approach to song
writing. Her fourth studio album slated for release in Fall 2014 –
River of Sand – is the creative output of that very personal journey. On River Of Sand she’s been fortunate to work with Juno-winning
songstress Lynn Miles as producer. “The songs on this record are honest
and fearless” say Miles, and the search for truth that’s always guided
Hanson’s work takes a turn to the raw. LYNNE HANSON
Koko Jones, the master percussionist and band-leader, makes her
international debut in 2011. Koko brings a ton of experience to her new
band. This talented percussionist has played and recorded with great
artists such as Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers, Carlos Santana,
Reggie Workman, Louie Vega and Luisito Quintero. Leading a talented
rhythm section and accompanied by 4 beautiful
vocalists, Koko blazes a fresh trail through lush territories of soul,
jazz and Latin music. Musically Koko has studied in a wide range of
educational settings. From her days as a student at UMASS/Amherst where
she studied with Jazz legends Max Roach and Archie Shepp to her days in
New York City studying at the famed Jazzmobile and Tanawa Drum &
Dance. Koko has certainly developed a strong musical upbringing. KOKO JONES
Dividing time between Philly and NYC, Laura Cheadle Family Blues band''s
award winning blues is gaining national and international attention.
Keeping it in the family is their forte with accomplished musician James
"Papa" Cheadle on the keyboards, his son, "Jimmy Lee" Cheadle on lead
guitar and the beautiful star of the show: singer-songwriter: Laura
Cheadle on vocals and rhythm guitar. Not just a thoughtful
singer-songwriter, and not just a soulful funk diva, BLUES musician
Laura Cheadle offers audiences a lively performance filled with upbeat
introspection. James "Papa Cheadle" has played and recorded with Don
Cornell, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Four Aces, Grover Washington Jr. and The
Soul Survivors,Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine to name a few and is
certainly his offsprings main inspiration.Laura Cheadle Family Blues Band have many accomplishments under their
belt opening for: The Jonas Brothers, Sister Hazel, Spin Doctors, Ryan
Cabrera, Kasim Sulton, Terrence Simien, Garland Jeffreys, John
Oates/Hall and Oates, Average White Band, Clarence Clemons III for Bruce
Springsteens After Party and Constantine Maraoulis of American Idol.
These South Jersey Natives and current Philadelphia residents have
toured nationally and internationally everywhere from the East
Coast/West Coast to London. The Cheadle's have appeared on 6ABC's "Tuned
In" as the very first viewers choice, The "NBC 10" Show, the National
reality show 'Next Great Family Band" on NBC/Cosi TV. Laura Cheadle was
named a "Super Woman" in South Jersey Magazine for her active Charity
Work. A very recent accomplishment: Laura Cheadle Family Blues Band
just recently won "Best Indie Jazz/Blues Band of The Year" 2014 at Tri
State Indie Music Awards sponsored by WXPN. LAURA CHEADLE
I formerly played with Candye Kane, Earl Thomas, Freddie Brooks, &
Thomas Yearsley of the Paladins and I have been running my own band
since 1999. My usual outfit is a 4-piece (guitar, bass, & drums with
either piano or harmonica), but I also put together intimate acoustic
duos and large 6- or 8-piece bands. It has always been by goal to
provide a traditional, but high-energy electric blues show.Check out this insane show that Aki Kumar is putting on! I'm so
grateful to be a part of the opening act backing up Alabama Mike with
Kid Andersen! Then we get to watch & hear Kim Wilson with Chicago
heavyweights Billy Flynn and Barrelhouse Chuck, backed by Larry Taylor
(Canned Heat, Tom Waits, John Mayall) on bass and Richard Innes
(Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bacon Fat) on drums.This music was recorded, engineered, and mastered by Kid Andersen at
Greaseland in San Jose, California in September & October of 2014.
KYLE JESTER
Raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (home to blues legends Big Bill Broonzy
and Cedell Davis), Dave Sadler began playing guitar at the age of
twelve. Coming from a musical household, that includes a distant
relationship to Johnny Cash, a grandfather who was an amateur minstrel
singer, and a mother who was a piano teacher - it is no small surprise
that Dave continued the musical journey.
Growing up on the edge of the Delta, blues inspired music surrounded
Sadler. Where a typical kid might have been found listening to the
latest top 40 rock hit, Dave, a self-taught musician who plays by ear,
would often be found locked away in his room listening to the likes of
B.B. King and Elmore James, trying to emulate their playing styles.
Also heavily influenced by modern players such as Eric Clapton, Robert
Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn and others, Dave's playing style is a blend of
blues, rock, jazz and funk, utilizing both electric and acoustic
guitars.
"I have always had a passion for blues, blues/rock and jazz. These
genres seem to influence most everything I play, compose and record",
Dave says.
Dave Sadler is affiliated with BMI as a songwriter/composer publishing
and recording for the independent label, BluezArt Records. DAVE SADLER
Going your own way means living with without the certainty of safe
choices, until you get where you’ve been going. It’s been a long and
crooked road, but with her transformative new release, I’m Changing,
Lisa Mills has gotten there.Mills’ 2010 album, Tempered in Fire, won her an enviable degree of
success: Growing fan bases on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and
critical acclaim from observers in the United States and the United
Kingdom. Graham Rhodes, writing for U.K. music site Blues in the
Northwest, described her as “a full-throated female Otis Redding, with
some Muscle Shoals soul and Nashville country touches for good measure.”
A Nashville Blues Society review praised her “unique vocal ability to
make one feel the good times and bad times in every song,” comparing her
to Lucinda Williams.The next step was obvious: Give ‘em more of the same. Take a safe
half-step forward. Put out some fresh songs, and stick to the proven
recipe. But Mills decided that the way to advance was to take a step
back and reconsider the past. Specifically, to melt down her 2005 album,
I’m Changing, and recast it as a more pure expression of her artistic
desires and capabilities.
Was this a crazy thing to do? Two facts suggest that it was not.
Firstly, her fans backed an ambitious Kickstarter drive for the project,
pledging more than $30,000. Secondly, Mills put the project in the
hands of groundbreaking producer Trina Shoemaker. Shoemaker is the first
woman to win the Grammy Award for album engineering; in fact, she’s
shared in three for her work on albums by Sheryl Crow and Steven Curtis
Chapman. She’s worked on albums or singles by Beth Nielsen Chapman, the
Dixie Chicks, Andrew Duhon, Dylan LeBlanc, the Indigo Girls and other
artists of note.The results, on the re-recorded, re-engineered, reconsidered I’m Changing, are explosive.Mills is a Mississippi native who resides in Mobile, Alabama. The
Gulf Coast is a region where Southern musical influences that easily can
be taken for granted come together in ways that can’t. Yes, Mills often
sings the blues – but to call her a blues singer would be to miss the
point entirely. Her blues influences aren’t always the ones would
expect, including a healthy measure of country blues, a sadly neglected
genre. She can sing straight-up gospel, as she does in daringly a
cappella fashion on “Tell Me.” She has toured with Big Brother & The
Holding Company, singing the songs of one of rock’s most revered female
vocalists, and her understanding of Janis Joplin’s gifts is far more
insightful than the superficial norm. Just listen to the fragile balance
of vulnerability and indomitability she brings to “Better Than This.”The project was a major undertaking that brought back together almost
all the musicians involved in the original 2005 recording sessions and
added John Milham on drums. The returning players included U.K. bassist
Ian Jennings; the plane ticket was worth it just for the blend of his
upright bass and Corky Hughes’ resonator slide work on “Wish I Was in
Heaven.”You can call Lisa Mills a blues singer, or a gospel singer, or a
torch singer or an R&B singer and not be wrong. But with Mills, none
of those labels are true in the way you expect. Listen to “I Don’t Want
To Be Happy,” when she sings: “Act a fool/ it’s all I ever do/ take
each like you make and believe it to be true/ and I kneel at the altar
in the church of the painful truth/ I don’t want to be happy/ I just
want to be with you.” Listen to the way the deceptively simple
arrangement surrounds the raw vocal like the setting of a jewel; hear
the way Shoemaker lets it breathe. Listen to the way Mills’ vocal on the
title track conveys tenderness and power at the same time. Listen to
the rhythm of “Shake It” the soft beats like stalking footfalls. Listen
to her deep-blues take on “Little Wing.” You’ve heard the song before,
but you’ve never felt it send shivers up and down your spine like this. LISA MILLS
After his mother gave him his first 4-string as a youngster, California
based veteran bass player Mitchell “Mitch” Coleman (a native of Cuba,
AL) spent most of his time practicing and evolving his technique,
eventually developing a unique style all his own. Even as a teen,
Coleman had been enthused and motivated by the artistry and skillfulness
of trumpeter Miles Davis and renowned bassists Marcus Miller, Stanley
Clarke, Mark Adams (founder of funk band Slave), Louis “Thunder Thumbs”
Johnson, and former Sly and the Family Stone alum and “Father of the
Thump” Larry Graham. But it was jazz-fusion virtuoso Jaco Pastorius who
influenced him the most. Jaco’s take-no-prisoners style inspired him to
remove all self-imposed limitations, while exploring the endless
possibilities his instrument presented. With such stellar role models to pull from, it’s no surprise that
Coleman’s love of funk, jazz and contemporary music continued to grow,
and he began to seriously hone his skills by performing live with local
groups while attending high school. He joined the United States Air
Force in 1985, and, after winning his first talent showcase for solo
performance, toured with the ‘Tops in Blue’ band. (He continues to work
closely with the ‘Air Force Showcase’ and the ‘Best of Talent’ show to
this day.) While stationed in Rome, NY, Coleman studied with local jazz
greats like Rick Montelbano (musical director for the late Lou Rawls),
and George Sessum (the Cabo Frio band). Ultimately settling in Los
Angeles in 1990, Coleman immersed himself in the city’s thriving music
scene, doing session work with other local musicians, while primarily
collaborating with producers Cario Johnson and Herman “Hollywood”
Dawkins. With the release of his first solo effort, “Soul Searching,” an
instrumental jazz/funk fusion collection that interweaves music inspired
by his much admired influences, Coleman has fulfilled a lifelong dream
of creating the music he hears in his heart and feels in his soul - and
sharing it with the world. The disc, independently released on Soul
Revelations Records, features some of L.A.’s funkiest players: his
long-time collaborator and “Soul Searching” co-producer, Hollywood
(pulling triple-duty on piano and vocals), Deron Johnson (formerly with
Miles Davis) is also on keyboards, Kayta Matsuno and Sean Fabian are on
guitar, Tim Anderson and Sal Avila are on saxophones, while industry
veterans and sisters, Pam and Joyce Vincent (formerly of Tony Orlando
and Dawn) and Jim Gilstrap (the “Good Times” TV show theme song singer)
perform background vocals along with newcomers Sean Thomas and Nodesha.
MITCHELL COLEMAN JR.
For years, our children have loved the poetry and stories of Shel
Silverstein, and my wife and I have been deeply moved by the "grownup"
messages that are delivered in ways that are equally meaningful to our
children. It occurred to me that the meter, spirit, and imagery (both
implied and brilliantly drawn) of these works were perfect foils for
musical inspiration. The first compositions were completed in the winter
of 2012-13, and I finished the last few in May of 2014. A few words
about each of the tunes (leadsheets of which will download for you in
PDF format):
Lester (The Wish-Waster) – Lester is a character who receives wishes
from a genie, and proceeds to use them to wish for more wishes, becoming
greedier and greedier but yet never actually accumulating anything. The
melodic fragments repeat and pile up on top of one another as the tune
rolls along, eventually ending with Lester’s dissonant demise, with
nothing to show for it. One of Lester Young’s favorite vehicles, “Oh,
Lady Be Good," provides a loose framework.
The Long-Haired Boy – This anti-bullying parable touches me deeply. The
song represents the boy’s long hair lifting him into the sky, and
helping him soar up and down amongst the clouds, finally bidding a
not-so-fond farewell to the townspeople who tormented him, and then
wanted him to be their friend once they discovered he can fly.
Ourchestra – Just a go-get-em, burnout-type tune. The poem is about
people playing a bunch of wild-sounding, body-part instruments, and the
crazy band they make up.
CHAD EBY QUARTET
In October 2012, vocalist Chelsea Reed brought five of her friends
together to play some tunes in a South Philly dining room. Secretly, her
plan was to form a band that played for swing dancers, so she could
finally have the chance to sing her favorite songs for an audience that
loved early jazz as much as she did. Since that fateful afternoon, those
unsuspecting handsome men have comprised the Fair Weather Five: Noah
Hocker on trumpet, Chris Oatts on saxophone, Jake Kelberman on guitar,
Joe Plowman on bass, and Austin Wagner behind the drums.Now, over a year later, Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five are at
home at swing dances, jazz clubs and concert halls alike. They have
played renowned Philadelphia venues like the Kimmel Center and World
Cafe Live in addition to touring around the country in a trusty blue
van. They love exploring the roots of jazz and finding creative ways to
interpret forgotten songs. Drawing upon the influence of artists such as
Bessie Smith, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, Chelsea
Reed and the Fair Weather Five bring the intensity and passion of early
jazz to every stage they play to put on one heck of a show. CHELSEA REED AND THE FAIR WEATHER FIVE
Heavy
Water, performed by Fo’Reel includes an all-star performance by C.P.
Love, legendary New Orleans soul singer; Johnny Neel, Grammy Award
winning keyboardist; Jon Smith, renowned tenor saxophonist; Rick Lawson,
singer songwriter; Daryl Burgess, drums; Allyn Robinson, drums; David
Hyde, Bass; Ward Smith, baritone sax; Barney Floyd, trumpet; Mark
Domizio, guitarist and creator of the project.Heavy
Water is a high energy blend of Contemporary Blues that includes a lot
of funky grooves that will make you want to move. Every song on the CD
is a joy to hear, the vocals are passionate, the guitar playing is deep
and full of emotion and the keyboard and horns are a driving force to
the overall distinctive style and sound. Anyone who enjoys strong
driven, energy filled music will love this CD. It not only embraces
traditional Blues, but it hits the listener with a variety of
interesting styles like Swing, Funk, R&B and a Latin tinged Rumba. FO' REEL BAND
The Gravel Project is a Boston based band with a sound that spans
multiple genres, including modern blues, funk, and rock. Having played
to packed rooms at various clubs throughout Greater Boston, including
The Middle East, Church, Tommy Doyles (former House of Blues), in
addition to a residency at The Savant Project, The Gravel Project
electrifies crowds with both inventive original songs and creative
interpretations of well known classics. With the release of More Ways
Than One, the band’s first full-length album, The Gravel Project has
taken great strides to further define and solidify their musical style.
The breadth of material on the album is both impressive and expansive,
spanning everything from the smoldering Muscle Shoals soul groove of
Dollar Bill, to the eccentric back-beat driven Lost, and the infectious
funk-based arrangement of The Beatles I’ll Cry Instead.The Gravel Project is the brainchild of guitarist/singer/songwriter,
Andrew Gravel. Though a Boston native, Gravel lived in both England and
Australia for three years. While abroad, Gravel was a first-call
guitarist for a number of well known acts on the London blues circuit,
which led to tours throughout Europe and Australia. After relocating
back to the US, Gravel was the guitarist for the legendary Martha’s
Vineyard based Entrain before forming The Gravel Project. Marking a milestone event for the band, and demonstrating an inspired
growth in their songwriting and stylistic definition, the release of
More Ways Than One speaks to music lovers of many stripes and colors,
garnering new, enthusiastic fans with each listen. Drawing on influences
from the danceable grooves of bands like The Meters, the raw soul of
B.B. King, the psychedelic ambition of The Allman Brothers, and the jazz
complexities of John Scofield, The Gravel Project pushes funk and blues
into fresh new territory, while maintaining a strong connection with
the roots.
THE GRAVEL PROJECT
Joshua Howell started
playing harmonica when he was 14, and by 17, he was sitting with many
of the San Francisco Bay Area's blues bands. He quickly became the
desired house harmonica player in clubs such as Eli's Mile High and Your
Place Too, though his under-age status limited his exposure to only
those clubs that could circumvent the age restrictions. During this
period, he took up guitar, intently focused on learning the techniques
of the Mississippi greats such as Fred McDowell, Bukka White, Robert
Johnson and RL Burnside. While living in Santa Cruz, Joshua pursued a
successful career in guitar making, developing the Howell & Forsyth
Guitar Company. Though he continued to focus on playing music and
gigging locally, music as a profession took a back seat to lutherie. It
wasn't until he moved to Thailand that he dedicated himself entirely to
musicianship, taking on over 15 gigs a week as a solo artist. After
three years playing professionally in Thailand's mountainous north,
Joshua returned to the U.S. and continued to perform in the San
Francisco Bay Area. When he crossed paths with drummer and percussionist
Pete Devine, they recognized their similar influences and musical
sensibilities. Their common approach effortlessly generated a powerhouse
combo of inspired and unaffected blues. HOWELLDEVINE
Melly
Frances & The Distilled Spirit is a USA based American blues, rock
and soul band formed in 2012 by vocalist and songwriter Melly Frances.
They are set to unveil their first studio album cleverly titled "The
Album" on May 1st 2014 as unsigned artists independent from a record
label. The band--Melly Frances (lead vocals, songwriter), Bryan Whelan
(guitar), Matthew Labarber (bass, vocals), Peter Williams (drums), Devon
Shae (fiddle) and Lance Dieckmann (harmonica). Frances brings forth
hard-hitting soul vocals that deliver a blast from the past. Singers
like Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Otis
Redding, and Etta James are key influences and can be heard in her
raspy, sultry, vocal style. The band themselves are a classic fusion of
these roots rock favorites: The Black Crowes, Alabama Shakes, Led
Zeppelin, Marshall Tucker Band, The Band, Canned Heat, Little Feat, Neil
Young with Crazy Horse, Van Morrison, & The Rolling Stones. MELLY FRANCES AND THE DISTILLED SPIRIT
Harpist Brandee Younger, is known for sharing the stage with Jazz
Royalty Jack Dejohnette & Ravi Coltrane, laying down tracks with
Grammy-Winning Rapper Common and Artist and Producer Ryan Leslie, as
well as bringing to life the Classic Impressionistic work of Maurice
Ravel. Her ability to feature the Harp in genres of music where the
instrument is often absent is a testament of her love for the
instrument, and her cross-reaching ability as a musician.The Brandee Younger Quartet makes you rethink the traditional jazz
combo. No piano...instead, a concert harp, upright bass, drumset &
tenor sax/vocalist, the sound is reminiscent of vintage Dorothy Ashby
and ethereal Alice Coltrane, with a whole new identity. THE BRANDEE YOUNGER QUARTET
Halley was born in Manhattan and moved around the US before settling
back in New York City, where she and the band call home. Halley’s voice
is huge - somewhere between Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. She
earned a BFA in acting at Boston University, and that pedigree shows in
the her performances. In fact, Halley fronted Janis Joplin’s legendary
band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, on a recent US tour and
brought down the house every night.Well-seasoned road gods, the band members have earned their chops with
the likes of Roger Waters, Shawn Mullins, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal,
Gatemouth Brown, Zen Tricksters, and Mickey Dolenz. Halley and the band
have shared the stage with Gov’t Mule, Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmie Vaughan,
Son Seals, Johnny Winter, Donna the Buffalo, John Hammond and Antigone
Rising. THE HALLEY DEVESTERN BAND
