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
