Fini Bearman’s music melds influences as diverse as Brazilian and other South American styles, Western Classical traditions,
modern jazz and contemporary popular music into and arresting and
unique personal sound. Sometimes dealing with settings of poetry and
other pre-existing texts, other times with original lyrics or open,
wordless evocations, this music is honest yet witty, mixing lush harmony
and orchestration with contemporary grooves.Fini has
performed across Europe in a variety of musical constellations. Venues
include Ronnie Scotts, the 606 Jazz Club, the Vortex, the Queen
Elizabeth Hall, and the Barbican Center. She has also sung with her own
band and as part of other ensembles at numerous music festivals
including the London Jazz Festival, City of London festival and Howden
Jazz Singers Festival. FINI BEARMAN
Hurricane Ruth is The Ultimate Blues Rock Experience!
Hurricane Ruth originates from central/southern Illinois, packing
venues throughout the region. Critics and fans hail their shows as
powerful, raw, emotional and dynamic. The band’s contagious energy is
evident in their live shows. The center of this energy is Hurricane Ruth
herself. Ruth is a captivating performer, who will grab your attention
from note one and never let you go! Willie Dixon once told Ruth “You’re
the only hurricane I can appreciate”.
Hurricane Ruth LaMaster started performing professionally in 1979,
and found instant success. She acquired the name Hurricane Ruth from the
fact that no one believed that such a large sound could come out of
such a small woman! Ruth has performed with Maynard Ferguson and his
orchestra, Adrian Belew, and Louis Belson. Ruth has opened for John Lee
Hooker, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Taj Mahal, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Sam &
Dave, Fenton Robinson, and most recently; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Royal
Southern Brotherhood, and Ronnie Baker Brooks. Ruth’s vocals are deeply
rooted in traditional blues, but make no mistake, she can rock the
house! Ruth has opened for renowned rockers: Heart, Judas Priest, Joan
Jett and The Blackhearts & Steppenwolf, just to name a few. Ruth is
the total vocal package! Ruth is joined by: David Lumsden (lead guitar),
Gary Davis (bass guitar), and Jim Engel (drums). These three excellent
musicians perfectly complement Ruth’s vocals.
Born on the River, Hurricane Ruth’s 2nd album is an eclectic group
of eleven original songs that was released in September 2014. The title
track and a few of the other songs were inspired by Ruth’s hometown of
Beardstown, Illinois. Born on the River is intense and heavy with the
same energy as a live Hurricane Ruth performance. It is receiving
international acclaim, and has been nominated for the IBC Best
Self-Produced CD 2014. Born on the River has consistently ranked on The
Roots Music Report. HURRICANE RUTH
Okay, imagine this.... Country-blues singer/guitarist Erin Harpe moves
from D.C. to Boston, where her Memphis Minnie influences get mixed up
with some electro-booty-shakin' attitude. Add in the solid bass of Jim
Countryman, tasty drums and eerie vocal harmonies of Bob Nisi, and the
electrified sounds of longtime Boston harp dog Richard "Rosy"
Rosenblatt, and what do you get? That's Charles River Delta Blues....
y'all. With her new band Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, Erin and
the gang give the music a new twist to create a genre they call “Charles
River Delta Blues”, which combines delta soul and spirit with Boston's
rich blues heritage, while bringing it to the 21st century. Erin Harpe
& the Delta Swingers have already been receiving accolades,
including recently winning the 2010 Boston Blues Challenge, getting a
Boston Music Award nomination for Blues Artist of the Year, as well as
having the honor of opening for blues legends Honeyboy Edwards and James
Cotton. The band has just returned from the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis (where they made it to the semi-finals!), and are
now working hard on their debut album! ERIN HARPE & THE DELTA SWINGERS
Baz and Al met in hard driving rhythm and blues quintet “The AM5”, and have played together as a duo since November 2013 Big Baz: (Vocals, Slide Guitar, Guitar, Footstomp), was a stalwart of the rock scene in Essex in a band called Lizard ( who also released a C.D. “The Power Of One” ) before joining the AM5. He counts his main influence as Paul Rodgers in the vocal context. But for guitar styles Rory Gallagher etc. Al E.Bye: (Harmonicas, Percussion), was in several blues bands, punk blues bands ( The Jukes) and blues swing band The Chicago Bearcats,( who had a 12″ E.P. released on Carve Up records which was distributed by Red Lightning Records ) before forming the AM5. He counts his main influences as Lester Butler from The Red Devils, Papa Lightfoot, and Guy Forsyth, etc. Now they have joined together again in a Blues, R & B, and Rock and Roll duo: The Jives UK April 2014 debut album recorded and released “When One Door Closes” with a variety of covers from the likes of Tony Joe White, The Beatles, Howling Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Seasick Steve, Free, etc. was followed up by a mini tour of Belgium and various gigs around the south east of England. The next album is already being put together with half originals and half covers. Synopsis Expect to hear the sounds of Fat Possum Records, raw and unpolished blues. The sounds of Rory Gallagher, Seasick Steve, Houndog Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, Red Devils, etc.“It’s hard to say exactly what we are and what we do, Blues is definitely at the core, but we’re huge fans of all sorts of American and English music and all of that comes through as well. Obviously, there are elements of traditional blues in what we do, elements of vintage rock and roll, rock, Essex R & B and all that sort of stuff. We always try to stay grounded in that traditional blues groove, and at the same time branch out and do as many different things as we can while still keeping it consistent with the sound we’ve developed.” THE JIVES UK
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
