Bios_Quotes

PRESS CONTACT:

Dawn DeBlaze

DeBlaze & Associates

(314) 766-JAZZ (5299)

deblazeassoc@centurytel.net

“Rousing, well-executed versions of Big Easy favorites…” – Riverfront Times

“Gumbohead is the only band outside of New Orleans or Louisiana to be invited to play at The Threadhead Party for New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (aka Jazz Fest) the past two years in a row. – St. Louis Sound

“Gumbohead…considers the Big Easy its second home. Most members make an annual pilgrimage to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, a mecca for zydeco artists.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Gumbohead is a collective of rhythmic rapscallions and tuneful tricknologists who find great joy playing music born in and influenced by New Orleans and southwest Louisiana. Hatched in 1999, the seven-piece “zydefunk” group fuses high-energy with rich musical styles from the Crescent City. To hear the band is to experience the full spectrum of Louisiana dance music, including zydeco, funk, blues, jazz, R&B, brass band and traditional “second line” tunes, including songs from Dr. John, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Neville Brothers, and the inimitable Professor Longhair – along with some suitably spicy original numbers.

Gumbohead has played for Grammy winners Vince Gill and Amy Grant, the former VP Dan Quayle, and numerous Midwest festivals. In 2006 Alive Magazine named Gumbohead one of “5 of St. Louis’ Best Bands,” and the group won a Critic’s Pick in the Eclectic/Uncategorizable category. All songs are 100% groove-a-licious and guaranteed to leave you with a wicked case of the Funky Butt. Each Gumbohead performance is a full-blown, bead-tossing Mardi Gras throw down, so get ready to "laissez les bon temps rouler!"

Band members include Tom Martin, Tim Halpin, Benet Schaeffer, Ron Sikes, Tony Esterly, Dave Mills, Andy Coco.

The "second line" has its roots in the traditional jazz funeral processions of New Orleans. Once the dearly departed was buried, the brass band would "cut the body loose" by playing up-tempo, joyous music. As they marched, they would be joined by revelers who formed a line alongside and behind the band. This was known as the "second line."

The Funky Butt Brass Band was formed in 2008 by six musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. Made up of members of Gumbohead, The Feed, Musica Slesa, Bob Kuban's Everyday People and other St. Louis musical groups, the FBBB brings traditional New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a funky new flavor, in the style of the Dirty Dozen or Rebirth Brass Bands. Don't be surprised if you also hear a little Motown, Southern rock, blues and some straight-ahead '70s funk. The Funky Butt Brass Band is guaranteed to get your toes tapping, your feet marching and kick any party into overdrive.

Funky Butt is composed of Ron Sikes (percussion), Adam Hucke (trombone), Aaron Chandler (trombone), Ben Reece (saxophone), Matt Brinkmann (sousaphone), Tim Halpin (guitar).

“More than a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice, the lyrics and tone of her songs embody the spirit of the American Midwest.” – Playback

“Bode has tons of potential…and should prove a welcome addition to the annals of contemporary jazz songbirds.“ – JazzTimes

“Her instincts are admirable as her eclectic choice of songs nearly always suits her talent.“ – The Washington Post

The Erin Bode Group creates music forged from the Americana of its members' midwestern roots, infused with jazz grooves and made magic by Bode's bell-like voice. Sophisticated arrangements and attention to phrasing, both vocal and instrumental, further distinguish the band's fresh sound. The songwriting team of Bode and pianist Adam Maness produce one memorable and moving song after another with hip and clever lyrics, throwback keyboard sounds, and strong interplay among the band members. This summer, the band releases its third major album, The Little Garden, on Native Language recordings.

Vocalist Erin Bode stakes claim as one of her generation’s most imaginative and melodically inspired singer/songwriters with the new album. Bode produced the session herself, working closely with her band to give each song a subtly calibrated instrumental setting.

Bode graduated with degrees in music and foreign language (Italian and French) from Webster University. Afterwards she stayed in St. Louis, where she produced her first studio album in 2001, the well-received Requests. Signed to the St. Louis-based MaxJazz label, she gained national attention with the release of 2004s Don’t Take Your Time. Since then, Erin has performed on national TV and radio shows.

"…some of the finest jazz musicians in the St. Louis area -- and in the entire Midwest, for that matter…all have impeccable musical credentials and have performed with a who's who of nationally-known jazz musicians…" – Terry Perkins, Music Journalist

Webster University boasts one of the finest, world-class ensembles of educators and artists. Together they perform works spanning jazz history from 1945 to the present day, including the four bs: bebop, ballads, blues and bossa nova’s. All of its musicians are long-time faculty members of the Jazz Studies Program and each are central figures in the St. Louis jazz scene. Drawn from a rich, modern jazz legacy, their repertoire will have you movin’ and groovin’. The six-member group is comprised of Debby Lennon (vocals), Paul DeMarinis (tenor sax), Steve Schenkel (guitar), Carolbeth True (piano), Willem von Hombracht (bass), Kevin Gianino (drums).

Webster Groves High School boasts one of the finest jazz education and performance programs in the Midwest. Students can choose from as many as seven combos and three big bands, all of which perform music ranging from dixieland to fusion. Webster Jazz has performed and taken part in clinics during the past several years with artists such as Bob Mintzer, Wycliffe Gordon, DelFaeyo Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Mike Stern, Tom 'Bones' Malone, Byron Stripling, The Yellowjackets, Jeff Hamilton, Tom Garling, Michael Philip Mossman, Jim Widner, Eric Marienthal, and Bret Spainhour among others. Jazz students perform more than a dozen times annually at locales from their our own high school to New York, Chicago, London, Orlando, and Prague. In 2009 they will perform as a part of a tour of San Francisco. The Webster Groves High School Jazz Bands are directed by Kevin Cole.

"An attractive stage presence and good taste in songs. Anita Rosamond's clearly got talent." – Dean Minderman, St. Louis Jazz Notes

“Names to continue watching Anita Rosamond” – Kevin Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

St. Louis vocalist/pianist and songwriter Anita Rosamond has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting performers in the Midwest with acclaimed appearances at numerous events. Born in St. Louis, Anita began her musical career at the age of 14, playing piano and singing in her brother’s contemporary gospel band. She recorded her first album in Nashville with members of Roy Orbison’s band. Anita recently released her fifth recording as a leader, Keep On Liftin Me Higher LIVE! The disc features Anita and her band paying tribute to the divas of the 60s and 70s with inspired versions of songs such as Aretha Franklins Chain of Fools, Higher and Higher by Rita Coolidge, River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner and seven other classics from that era. The new live recording is expected to join recent studio efforts Timeless and the holiday recording, This Is Christmas as celebrated examples of Anita’s talent.

"Todd is one of the most innovative musicians of this century" – Ustadt Imrat Khan

"...Mosby's guitar style moves easily from bop into Pat Metheny like jazz rock..." – Terry Perkins, Riverfront Times

“Mosby Group is led by master guitar player Todd Mosby, a gifted musician who combines searing jazz rock ala John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, and Pat Metheny, with North Indian rag influences." – Pete Pardo, Sea Of Tranquility

Cool, energetic and sophisticated, Mosby Group draws a musical line from Bluegrass to classical North Indian appealing to a wide audience range. Led by composer and progressive Indian Jazz Guitar Virtuoso Todd Mosby, Mosby Group grounds out in a bed of funk, bossa and bebop rhythms for improvisation over a lush harmonic landscape. Creating a listening experience of smoldering music, these seasoned players represent some of the areas finest. Members include Ron Carr on drums, Carl Caspersen on bass, Nick Schlueter on Keyboard and Todd Mosby on guitar and the 20 stringed Imratgitar, a one of a kind Indian sitar guitar.

Mosby Group will be performing music from the East West album and Missouri Folk Song, sonic depictions from India and Missouri unfold in a descriptive musical narrative with one of the areas finest quartets. Together the group creates groove oriented Indian Jazz with funk, bop and bossa rhythms reaching into the world fusion / contemporary jazz categories of music.

"The Jeremy Pfeffer Trio with Debby Lennon offers one of St. Louis' premier jazz vocalists with superb accompaniment. Debby Lennon is a truly remarkable performer who engages listeners with her deeply felt lyricism, consummate technique, and impressive grasp of the jazz vocal tradition. The Pfeffer trio is beautifully integrated musically; at once highly sensitive in its accompaniment to Lennon's vocals and joyfully swinging as a trio entity unto itself."

Vocalist Debby Lennon returns for a fresh performance with the Pfeffer Trio. Groove is the essential ingredient in this musical meal. The songs draw on the group's love of jazz, yet incorporate elements of rock, pop, latin, and blues. A youthful rhythm section energizes the audiences with a wide range of standards and original arrangements that move your spirits and feet. Debby Lennon is a frequent performer with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Muny,Queeny Pops, and Powell Hall. Together they meld into a highly interactive and fun ensemble of uplifting personalities. Don’t miss Debby Lennon on vocals, Nick Schlueter on piano, Paul Shaw on drums, and bassist/leader Jeremy Pfeffer.

“…the Soulard Blues Band - arguably the hardest working band in town - still tears up the town one show at a time…not just any band.” – Amanda Doyle, WHERE Magazine

“…the Soulard Blues Band brings a distinctive touch to just about any musical style around… SBB has found the secret to producing the good kind (of music) - year after year after year." – Terry Perkins, Music Critic

“…SBB's style has evolved over the years beyond straight-up blues to include R&B and soul, as well as touches of jazz, zydeco and funk, they've remained a constant presence on the local scene. – Dean Minderman, Riverfront Times

With more than 30 years of going strong, and 13 consecutive wins as the “Best Blues Artist” in the Riverfront Times Music Poll, the Soulard Blues Band (SBB) is testament that the blues are alive and well in St. Louis. By all counts, band founder Art Dwyer (bass) has a handle on the blues market in St. Louis given that his two-decade running KDHX radio program "Blues in the Night" has been voted "Best Blues Program” the past two years. Dwyer works closely with formerJohnnie Johnson Band member Tom Maloney (guitar), Matt Murdick (piano), Kirk “Dr. Drum” Grice (drums), and Marty Abdullah (vocals). The SBB creates music from both originals and standards in a way that allows each player shine without sacrificing a song to overblown solos. Together the veteran brothers in blues blend music genres to form vast variations of the blues; hence their enormous popularity.

Other highlights for Soulard Blues Band members include an Anheuser-Busch radio commercial “This Bud’s for You,” Slammie awards for Best Blues Artist, and performances with various music icons. Between them, SBB members have performed with the likes of Johnnie Johnson, Henry Townsend, Albert King Chuck Berry, Little Milton, Oliver Sain, Ramsey Lewis, Tommy Bankhead, Benny Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Smith, Little Johnny Taylor, Bosman Twins, Ptah Williams, and more!

“It doesn't take long for the guitar-strumming singer to get the audience on its feet — stomping, swaying, shouting…Marquise Knox's mojo is definitely working this night, judging by his increasingly full tip jar.” – Kevin Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"When blues aficionados get to talking about Knox, the words 'prodigy' and 'Muddy Waters' tend to crop up in reverent tones." – Riverfront Times

"...this kid should be on at every blues festival in the country. He's got a big voice like Muddy Waters, and he's got that machismo...really stunning when you hear him. He's rough and raw, and he's pure." – John May, St. Louis Blues Society

One of the most exciting players to emerge on the St. Louis scene, this seventeen year old embodies the soul and essence of a veteran bluesman. Marguise “Big Daddy” Knox has enough of a command on both the guitar and harmonica that he routinely delivers performances with energetic showmanship. Recently, Marquise has been performing with the Grammy winning Blue Shoe Project in Texas; an educational organization that has brought ‘Blues in the Schools’ to thousands of children. A gifted blues prodigy, Marquise grew up listening to Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Johnny Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Albert King. He has opened up for B.B. Kind, recorded with Michael Burks, and continues to develop his amazing musical talent, performing with legends like Henry Townsend, Louisiana Red, and Honeyboy Edwards.

When Knox is not playing his guitar, the former Berkeley High School student enjoys fishing, traveling and spoiling his 1981 Chevy Malibu. Marquise is schooled at home so he can work full time as a musician.

"Arguably rare talents and the best rhythm section around, these guys have a blast entertaining people with contemporary and hard-core blues from the past, such as the sounds of Albert Collins and Freddie King, yet with their own individual spin on every tune." – Webster-Kirkwood Times