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
Queens native Little Mike grew up on the very competitive New York City
music scene. He started playing harp at age 14 and took up piano two
years later. His first brush with the blues came while hearing John Lee
Hooker at Carnegie Hall and later listening to a Paul Butterfield
record.After that Little Mike couldn't get enough. If a blues show was in New
York City, Mike was there, especially when the Chicago players came to
town. His favorite was Muddy Waters. "I used to go and see Muddy anytime
he was within 150 miles of New York," he said. "He is easily the
biggest influence on the band and my playing. And if it's not Muddy
himself then it's the great guys he always picked to play with him, like
Pinetop Perkins and Otis Spann on the piano or Little Walter and James
Cotton on harp."Another musician Mike greatly admired was Paul Butterfield, who would
regularly come and see Mike's band perform. He liked their old "Chess
sound" and took Mike under his wing. Mike says, "He helped me become
less of a blues purist, and more of a music purist. Paul opened up my
playing and taught me to put my blues in other music forms, to make it
very personal." Other influences cited include Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley,
the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, and
Walter Horton.After leading a series of bands as a teenager, Mike formed the Tornadoes
in 1978. At age 22, Mike was leading one of the busiest and toughest
blues bands in New York City. Whenever a visiting blues artist came to
town and needed a band, Little Mike and the Tornadoes usually got the
call, backing artists such as Walter Horton, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley,
Lightning Hopkins, and Big Mama Thornton. Mike's reputation led to the
band's touring as the backing unit for blues legends such as Pinetop
Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, and Jimmy Rogers.Little Mike and the Tornadoes proudly describe themselves as a "working
class band" that plays blues with a rock 'n' roll edge. "We all come
from working class families and tough, working class neighborhoods,"
says Mike. "Working class people have always been our biggest
supporters." Music luminaries who have sat in with the band include
Robert Cray, Jaco Pastorius, Kim Wilson, Jorma Kaukonen, James Cotton,
Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Taj
Majal.In 1988, Mike played on and produced Pinetop Perkin's first domestic
release, After Hours. The following year he did the same for Hubert
Sumlin's Heart & Soul. Both recordings are available on Blind Pig.In 1990, Blind Pig released the first solo album by Little Mike and
the Tornadoes, Heart Attack, which Mike also produced. It features all
original songs and guest appearances by Perkins, Sumlin, Butterfield,
Ronnie Earl, and Big Daddy Kinsey. The album thrust the band out into
the spotlight, where they began to tour almost non-stop across North
America and Europe, establishing themselves as true road warriors.Little Mike's success led to a 1992 follow-up release entitled
Payday. The material is once again all original and draws upon Mike's
blue-collar upbringing and experience. Says Little Mike, "It's the best
thing I've ever done. Best writing, best playing, and best producing. I
think I'm finally getting the hang of this." LITTLE MIKE AND THE TORNADOES
Formed in in 2009, Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose
collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to
bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the
world. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences—from spirituals to
Depression-era blues, from ragtime to traditional jazz—their sound
evokes the rich musical heritage of their New Orleans home. The band has
gained a loyal following through their distinctive sound, their
commitment to reviving long-lost songs, and their barnstorming live
performances.
We are happy to announce that our newest album "Owl Call Blues"
is hot off the press and available to all. Recorded this past January
at home in New Orleans, it has 15 previously unrecorded songs, and
beautiful artwork by Shaye Cohn. Hard copies are available here from The Louisiana Music Factory or at any of our shows. TUBA SKYNNY
