CATHY LEMONS "BLACK CROW"

Cathy Lemons is a vocalist, songwriter, song publisher, band leader, and show producer who has been a staple of the blues scene in the Bay Area for 25 years. She has been described as “the finest light-skinned female blues vocalist in the U.S.” (Real Blues 2010) with a “velvety and hypnotic voice—resonant of “a female Howlin’ Wolf” (Fulltimeblues 2010). Hailing from Dallas, TX she honed her chops with the likes of Anson Funderburg and performed with Stevie Ray Vaughan. She has worked with some of the great names in blues including John Lee Hooker (she toured as his send-off singer in 1987), Tommy Castro, Ron Thompson, and many others.Her current band is called "CATHY LEMONS & the blues xcentric" with Stevie Gurr (of Elvin Bishop and Dr. John), Paul Olguin (of Maria Muldaur), Kevin Zuffi (of Joe Lewis Walker), and Theron Petersen (Primus) Cathy Lemons writes songs that are as haunting as they are autobiographically revealing. She has 3 CD’s out: “Dark Road” (2000) and “Lemonace” on Vizztone ( 2010). Her 3rd, “Black Crow” (Vizztone) released March 25 2014.CRITICS: "One thing is certain…once you hear her, you will be a fan for life. This is music with a timeless quality that will have all the hitting power twenty years down the road that it does today. " Bill Wilson "A dandy dose of hot stuff that just doesn’t quit, Lemons isn’t about affectation and iconography, she’s the real deal .... Smoking, velvet soul blues that’s right in the pocket throughout, Lemons impresses throughout with this mighty release. A winner throughout." Chris Specter (Midwest Record). CATHY LEMONS
 

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JOEL HARRISON & ANUPAM SHOBHAKAR "MULTIPLICITY"

Leave the Door Open is the debut album from Multiplicity, a multi-cultural, genre-defying collaboration between Guggenheim Fellow and world-renowned American guitarist Joel Harrison and North Indian-native, virtuoso classical Sarodist and composer Anupam Shobhakar. The album beams with an amalgamation of styles influenced from the worlds of Indian Classical, jazz, blues and roots music, featuring a stellar cast of some of the finest contemporary creative musicians in the world: Gary Versace (piano, B-3 organ, accordion), Dan Weiss (drums and tables), Hans Glawischnig (acoustic & electric bass), as well as special guests David Binney (alto saxophone), Todd Isler (percussion), Bonnie Chakraborty and Chandrashekar Vase (vocals).The music was cooperatively developed and composed by the two leaders between 2010 and 2012 as a result of Shobhakar being featured in a multi-movement work Harrison composed for sarode, classical percussion quartet and jazz quintet. The two developed an immediate rapport, sharing an eagerness to learn about and experience as much music as possible. And it’s a natural pairing, as each leader has been involved with a remarkable amount of diverse music over the years: Harrison has released 15 albums to date, has won multiple awards for composition and is known for being a restless soul who is no stranger to taking risks with his music, while Shobhakar hails from the Maihar Gharana, a family whose contribution to the world of Indian instrumental music is unparalleled. Shobhakar’s ability to operate so far outside the usual confines of his instrument is remarkable, and he is known for his wide-ranging compositional palette as well, which has been influenced by his experiences performing in rock bands just as much as classical Indian music.Harrison explains, “We both added components to each other’s compositions and worked hard to figure out how to reconcile our different backgrounds. We felt strongly that we should include a ‘folk’ element, adding straight-to-the-heart simplicity with the thornier jazz pieces. As principles of Indian music slowly work their way into the jazz lexicon, alliances such as ours are becoming less rare. It’s a fascinating journey to be taking part in.” JOEL HARRISON & ANUPAM SHOBHAKAR 
 

DANA ROBBINS "DANA ROBBINS"

“Dana Robbins is Music City's saxophone MVP,with a fluent, commanding and original approachto R&B, blues, soul, rock, jazz, funk and off-the-cuff improvisation. And through it all her bold, warm tone is ever ready to shift from slow burn to utter conflagrance — whatever it takes to get to a song's emotional core." She is currently playing for DELBERT MCCLINTON and ARETHA FRANKLIN. She has also performed with CHAKA KAHN, RON ISLEY, JEFF LORBER, AL GREEN, CECE WINANS, RUFUS THOMAS, THE O'JAYS, BILL CHAMPLIN, JOHNNY LANG, JAMES BROWN, JOE SAMPLE, JEWELL, JIMMY HALL, LEROY PARNELL and STEVE CROPPER. Motown sound. Dana started studying piano at age four and saxophone when she was ten. Dana enjoyed the luxury of excellent junior high and high school band directors. Summers were spent playing in a jazz band program directed by the famous trumpet player, Louis Smith. Her father, a University of Michigan professor who loved jazz, and her mother, an accomplished classical pianist, showed her a wide variety of musical styles. She eventually studied music at the University of Michigan. Pursuing her love of jazz and blues, Dana left Michigan and enrolled in The Berklee College of Music in Boston. There she studied for two years. DANA ROBBINS
 

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DAVE KELLER "SOUL CHANGES"

Dave Keller is one of the finest soul and blues men of his generation.  He is a 2014 Blues Music Award Nominee for Best Soul/Blues Album, for his CD Soul Changes.  He is the 2012 winner of the Best Self-Produced CD award at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN.   About.com recently said, "Dave Keller is gonna be huge!", and it's starting to seem that way. In 2009, after being discovered by legendary guitarist Ronnie Earl, Keller appeared as a singer and co-writer on Earl's.BMA-nominated CD, Living In the Light.  Next, blues and soul fans got to hear Keller with his own band on his all-original critically-acclaimed release Play for Love (Sept. 2009).  In Oct. 2011, Keller released his latest gem: Where I'm Coming From.  In addition to winning the IBC award, the CD reached #2 on B.B. King's Bluesville, Sirius/XM radio, for May 2012. Where I'm Coming From is an album of deep soul songs recorded with The Revelations, one of the hottest soul bands on the scene today.  Produced by Bob Perry (Wu-Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Brian McNight, Foxy Brown), it even includes a duet with acclaimed soul singer Tre' Williiams. With all this forward momentum, Keller has hit the road even harder, with shows in NYC (Southpaw, Hill Country BBQ), Philly (World Cafe), Boston (Johnny D's, Harper's Ferry, Beehive, Berklee's Cafe 939), RI (Chan's), CT (Bridge St. Live, Black-Eyed Sally's), all over VT and NH, and festival work from ME to PA, including the biggest blues fest in New England (North Atlantic Blues Festival).  In the past year, Keller has performed with Ronnie Earl, Otis Clay, The Revelations featuring Tre' Williams, Darrell Nulisch, Dwight Ritcher (of Dwight and Nicole), Jesse Dee, and Anthony Gomes.  He recently opened for soul legend Swamp Dogg, and has toured the northeast backing Johnny Rawls, BMA winner of best soul album of 2010. DAVE KELLER
 

BRETT WELLMAN AND THE STONE COLD BLUES BAND "ROOTED IN THE BLUES"

Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band are thrilling audiences whenever they take the stage!Born from the influences of Chicago blues greats Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Little Milton to the Mississippi Delta of Robert Johnson, Ledbelly, and Honey Boy Edwards their sound covers 100 years of down and dirty American blues.Reminiscent of Delta and Chicago jukehouses their shows are raucous dance parties. Come on out and see what it's all about.With "Carolina Charles" on drums, David Messler on bass, Chris Balding on harmonica (harp) & vocals, and Brett Wellman on guitar & vocals, this band is a guarantee for providing a great show and an evening of fun music! "Brett Wellman and The Stone Cold Blues Band's “All I Had Was Gone” is a fresh take on traditional blues. Sterling guitar work, gritty harmonica, powerful vocals and great songs combine to make much more than the sum of the parts. This recording should be in heavy rotation with all blues fans. Highly recommend!" Del Suggs, Saltwater Music (Mar 7, 2013)"Brett Wellman and The Stone Cold Blues Band is putting out one of the best Blues CD's I have heard in years." – Rick Ott, From the Heart Recording Studio (Mar 7, 2013)"We had a superb 3 days at the BBC. Brett Wellman & The Stone Cold Blues were impressive. They played to a near sell-out crowd on a Thursday night! Good mix of blues--contemporary and traditional- with an excellent acoustic second set. Got to find a good weather night for a bonfire set from these guys." - Gary Anton, Bradfordville Blues Club Owner (Aug 2, 2012)"Local blues act, Brett Wellman and the Stone Cold Blues Band, will play at Backwoods Bistro this Friday, September 14, bringing the rawest, most organic version of the genre to town." - Ricky Kent, FSView (Sep 13, 2012)"You guys ROCKED tonight!! Awesome sounding band!" - Gary Hudson, Folkstone Guitars - June 2013"Brett Wellman & The Stone Cold Blues Band - a tight little unit hitting it hard tonight here in Tally!" ~ Charle Boyer, Jazz & Blues of Florida - July 2013“Heart of Gold”, an original tune from their debut album “All I Had Was Gone” in the top ten on the Blues City Radio playlist for 8 weeks in a row and 9 out of the last 10 weeks - August 2013". . . these guys have an excellent blues roots show . . ." ~ Gary Anton, Bradfordville Blues Club, Tallahassee - August 2013. BRETT WELLMAN AND THE STONE COLD BLUES BAND
 

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NAOMI WACHIRA "NAOMI WACHIRA"

There’s no doubt that there’s a better future in store for Naomi, especially after her great breakout year in 2013. Named the Best Folk Singer in Seattle by alt publication Seattle Weekly and featured on their cover, Naomi became the toast of the town, which in turn led to a friendship with the much-loved indie songwriter Damien Jurado, who came onboard to produce this album. Other key collaborators that Naomi brought in, renowned Seattle bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, cellist Natalie Hall (Macklemore), drummer Darren Reynolds (Patrick & The Locomotive), and Latin percussionist Lalo Bello, all brought their own ideas to the accompaniment, guided by Jurado’s desire to keep the music as vibrantly alive as possible. The result is Naomi Wachira’s debut full-length, a portrait of a Kenyan artist at home in the Pacific Northwestern United States. When you listen to Naomi’s songs, you’ll hear the lifelong influence of two powerful, groundbreaking female songwriters: Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman. Makeba became one of the biggest stars on the continent through her socially aware songwriting, something she shared closely with American songwriter Tracy Chapman. Chapman was a voice for social change as well, but Naomi loved her positive idealism, a concept that informs all the songs on Naomi’s album. Makeba’s also a personal icon for Naomi, who cites “the way she carried herself, her grace and character,” as influencers. “She was able to maintain her integrity as an African. She didn’t need to change who she was to fit with Western audiences.” That’s why you won’t hear any stereotypical African music on Naomi’s debut. She’s making music inspired both by the music she discovered in America and the music she grew up with in Kenya, not a Western conception of how African music should sound. The daughter of a Kijabe pastor, Naomi joined the traveling family band at five years old, spreading the good word through gospel song. This explains the beautiful harmonies on her album, for as she says “In my family everyone sang and everyone knew their part. Harmony was second nature for us.” Larger African concepts also play a part in Naomi’s music, like the Zulu idea of Ubuntu. This concept means “I am because we are,” and it’s a community-based worldview that focuses on caring for each other.

NAOMI WACHIRA
 

MONTY ALEXANDER "HARLEM KINGSTON EXPRESS" VOL.2 THE RIVER ROLLS ON

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others. Born on D-Day (June 6, 1944) and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, he took his first piano lessons at age six, although he is largely self-taught. As a teenager, he witnessed concerts by Louis Armstrong and Nat “King” Cole at Kingston’s Carib Theater. These artists had a profound effect on Alexander’s aspirations. He formed Monty and the Cyclones in the late 1950s and also recorded on sessions with the musicians who would catapult Jamaican music to international recognition as The Skatalites (Bob Marley’s first backing band). Alexander and his family came to the United States at the end of 1961. Less than two years later, while playing in Las Vegas with Art Mooney’s orchestra, he caught the eye of New York City club owner Jilly Rizzo and his friend, Frank Sinatra. Rizzo hired the young pianist to work in his club, Jilly’s, where he accompanied Sinatra and others. There he met Modern Jazz Quartet vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who hired him and eventually introduced him to former Charlie Parker collaborator and legendary bassist Ray Brown. Alexander recorded and performed with the two jazz giants on many occasions. Jazz’s greatest luminaries welcomed Alexander to their “musical fraternity” in the mid-1960s. Among these earliest enthusiasts for his playing were none other than Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Miles Davis. MONTY ALEXANDER
 

THE DELINES "COLFAX"

The name “The Delines” came to Willy in a dream. He claims we were playing a nice venue somewhere and it was written across the kick drum. The idea for the band itself came long before on a tour with Richmond Fontaine. Amy was singing the female roles from the High Country and Post to Wire, originally sung by her sister Deborah. Backstage Amy would sing soul and opera numbers to warm up and get her mind off the psycho logger tunes and a-holes she was locked in a van with. Some of the soul singing must have found its way into Willy's consciousness however and upon returning home he penned several songs he hoped Amy would sing. Willy sneaked over to John's studio and whipped out some demos to share with Amy and Sean. They dug em! Amy chose her keys and Tucker came over to work out parts in the basement. We called Freddy in to lay down the bass and Jenny to play rhodes and organ. Finally we got Amy up from Austin and after some quality time in the basement hit the studio. Collin put down a little cello and John some baritone guitar. Crow sent us up backing vocals that Amy and Deb had done down in Austin. John mixed them all up nice here in Portland and voilà “Colfax” was born. We are planning to release May 2014 on Decor and El Cortez Records. THE DELINES
 

SAM CRAIG BIG BAND "AFTER HOURS"

Currently based in Birmingham, Sam Craig is one of the country's top upcoming instrumentalists. Specialising in Jazz and Pop as a saxophonist, pianist, vocalist and woodwind player, Sam's services are currently in great demand right across the country. Growing up in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Sam took up the piano aged 9, followed by the clarinet and saxophone within the next few years. By his mid teens he had developed a real passion for music and was set on pursuing it beyond his time in formal education. Whilst nowadays Sam's real passion lies within the creative aspects of jazz and composition, he originally was on a more classically orientated path. Aged 16 he joined the Lichfield Sinfonia as guest soloist for a performance of Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 shortly after achieving distinction in his grade 8 ABRSM exam. Studying under the tutelage of Clarinettist Megan Barr and Pianist Marian Brannan, he also went on to reach grade 8 standard in saxophone and piano before securing a place to study music at York University.Despite only studying in the Yokshire city for a year, it was during this time that Sam really began to find his way into Jazz. Academic studies with Jonathon Eato and working instrumetnally with the brilliant saxophonist Joel Purnell lured Sam away from the classical world and into the shadows of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davis.It was at this point that Sam secured a place on the illustrious BMus Jazz Degree course at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Studying with Mike Williams, Andy Panayi, Percy Pursglove, Andrew Bain, Hans Koller, Iain Dixon, and Trevor Lines under the direction of Jeremy Price in an extremely creative environment has given Sam four years of unbelievable opportunities to expand on his own abilities, and he is set to graduate there in the coming summer.A member of both the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO), Fat Chops Big Band and the Birmingham Conservatoire Mingus Band, Sam is becoming increasingly known as a rising figure on the Big Band scene. Having played with Mark Nightingale, Martin Williams, Claire Teal, Marlene VerPlank, Jeff Hooper, Jacqui Dankworth, Alan Barnes and Stephen Triffett amoungst numerous others, Sam is regularly on call for the bands of many of these superstar names as well as many others. SAM CRAIG BIG BAND