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Feature Musicians New York
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GUITAR |
DRUMS |
BASS VOCALS |
Bios
GUITAR
| Andy Aledort |
Andy Aledort has been a significant figure in the international music scene over the last 20 years. As a senior editor for the top guitar-oriented music magazines GUITAR WORLD, GUITAR FOR THE PRACTICING MUSICIAN, GUITAR EXTRA, GUITAR LEGENDS, and GUITAR WORLD ACOUSTIC, among others, his work is unsurpassed as a music transcriber, instructional columnist and journalist.
He has authored over 200 books of guitar transcriptions as well as a series of guitar-related instructional books and videos/DVDs, all of which are distributed worldwide, for the leading music publishers Hal Leonard Corp., Warner Brothers Publishing and Cherry Lane Music.
Aledort is a performing musician as well: along with leading his own ensembles in the New York/tri-state area, he is often tapped for high-profile appearances with artists such as Buddy Guy, Dickey Betts, and the Allman Brothers band.
Over the last three years, he has also participated in a series of Jimi Hendrix Tribute concerts, most recently entailing a three-city tour of the west coast. In his April 1, 2004 review for ROLLING STONE, write Charles Cross wrote, “The real show-stopper came when veteran bluesman Buddy Guy, backed by guitarist Andy Aledort and the powerful rhythm section of Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton—a.k.a. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble—played a version of Muddy waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ that smoldered.
It was the perfect homage to Hendrix.” Among the other artists that appeared on the bill with Aledort for the three shows were Carlos Santana, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, and Hubert Sumlin, plus Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys rhythm section, bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell.
As a session player, Andy Aledort was called upon to recreate the Band Of Gypsys -era playing of Hendrix for recording sessions with the original Gypsys themselves, Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles, where Aledort was required to recreate note-for-note renditions of Hendrix’s incendiary live performances of “Machine Gun” and “Power of Soul” from the classic Band of Gypsys album. He performed with the Band of Gypsys at both the 2001 and 2002 Street Scene concerts in San Diego, CA, as part of two ambitious Tribute to Hendrix concerts featuring such guest guitarists as Andy Summers of the Police, Slash, Stephen Stills, Mick Taylor of Rolling Stones fame, Vernon Reid (Living Color) and others, as well as the big Jimi Hendrix 60th birthday bash at the EMP Museum, created by Microsoft’s Paul Allen, in November of 2002.
In the summer of 2001, Aledort was tapped for session work with Double Trouble (Tommy Shannon, bass, and Chris Layton, drums), bandmates of Stevie Ray Vaughan, in order to recreate the guitar work of Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King, and Johnny Winter. He also appears with Double Trouble on two Hot Licks instructional videos.
Aledort has begun work on a series of Jimi Hendrix instructional videos (produced by the Jimi Hendrix Estate), starting with the release of the two-hour How to Play the Songs from Are You Experienced? video/DVD in 2000.
He also has the Beginning Electric Blues Guitar video on the shelves, and has just released the B.B. King: Signature Licks instructional DVD; soon to follow are similar instructional videos/DVDs covering the playing styles of Albert King and jazz pioneer Charlie Christian. Aledort’s many instructional books include Jimi Hendrix: Signature Licks, Eric Clapton: Bluesman: Signature Licks and Blues/Rock Guitar Masters: Signatures Licks books, all published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.
With his group the Groove Kings, Aledort released the self-produced Put A Sock In It CD in 1999 to rave reviews, such as: “I love it—it’s great!”—Johnny Winter; “Great guitar playing. Andy has his own distinct sound.”—Tommy Shannon; “Andy plays with great technique and soul.”—Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine); “Andy has the ability to combine diverse stylistic elements to emerge with a unique musical voice.” –Mike Stern (Miles Davis). The band is currently recording their second studio album. ~
| Earl Slick |
Earl Slick (born Frank Madeloni in Staten Island, New York,1st October 1952) is a guitarist best known for his collaborations with David Bowie, Jim Diamond and Robert Smith, although he has also worked with other artists (John Lennon: Double Fantasy, Milk and Honey, Yoko Ono) and even released some solo recordings.
In the early 1970s, Earl Slick gained his reputation on New York music scene as a talented, skillful rock guitarist while playing in a band called "Mack Truck" featuring both singer/songwriter Jimmy Mack and his brother drummer Jack Mack. His work with Scottish singer/songwriter Jim Diamond was as the duo 'Slick Diamond'. They did some tours and performances for a short time in the late 1970s.
Slick was initially hired by David Bowie to replace Mick Ronson as lead guitarist for the Diamond Dogs tour in 1974 (the live album David Live was culled from this tour). Slick also performed lead guitar on Bowie's Young Americans and Station To Station albums, released in 1975 and 1976 respectively. It was Slick's powerful playing that made the latter album's "Stay" an enduring favorite of fans of Bowie and of guitar heroics alike. After running afoul of Bowie's management, Slick was replaced as lead guitarist for the Station To Station tour (1976), his role being taken by Stacey Heydon. Slick then became a hired gun, working for Leo Sayer, Ian Hunter, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono. He also formed his own solo band.
Slick returned to Bowie for 1983's Serious Moonlight tour, to support the Let's Dance album. Ironically, Slick, who was ousted as lead guitarist from Bowie's 1976 tour, was the last-minute lead-guitarist replacement for Bowie's 1983 tour (substituting for Stevie Ray Vaughan).
Slick then formed Phantom, Rocker & Slick with Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker. In 1990, Slick was in the collaboration "Dirty White Boy" which only saw one album, "Bad Reputation" (1990) and industry show cases in London and Los Angeles.
The early 2000s saw Slick return to Bowie's roster, appearing on the tours to support the Heathen (2002) and Reality (2003) albums. He also played briefly in Little Caesar in 1991-92. He is now dually a member of Slinky Vagabond and The Eons. Slinky Vagabond are Glen Matlock, Clem Burke, and Keanan Duffty. The Eons are a duo with singer, songwriter Saphin. Slinky Vagabond (the name comes from the lyrics to the David Bowie song Young Americans) played their debut concert at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in May 2007.
| Carlos Alomar |
Carlos Alomar (born in Puerto Rico) is a guitarist who is perhaps most recognized for his work with David Bowie. Alomar collaborated on Bowie's American #1 single "Fame", and joined Bowie on two concert tours in the 1970s, as well as the record-breaking Serious Moonlight tour and the Glass Spider tour in the 1980s.
He is credited with discovering Luther Vandross. [1] He has performed with a number of other famous musicians including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Chuck Berry, James Brown and Argentine Rock en Español Legends Soda Stereo. In all, Alomar has played on a total of 32 gold and platinum albums. He is currently the director of Boombacker Records. He is also the president of the New York chapter of The Recording Academy [2], the organization responsible for the Grammy Awards. Alomar is married to singer Robin Clark, with whom he has a daughter, Lea. Alomar collaborated with Scissor Sisters for their sophomore album Tah-Dah, and one track from these recording sessions, "Transistor", featured his wife and daughter on backing vocals.
| Reeves Gabrels |
Reeves Gabrels (born June 4, 1956) is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."
Gabrels' performance, songwriting and recording credits range from "hard-hitting blues rock to 21st century electronica," to quote Guitar World's characterization of Ulysses, a solo album.
Gabrels works independently and in collaboration with musicians worldwide. He is best known for his long partnership with British singer David Bowie, with whom he worked regularly from 1987 to 2000. Before and during his association with Bowie, Gabrels built an active performing and recording career in Boston, London, and New York; from 2000 to 2006 he was based in Los Angeles and today he works from Nashville, Tennessee.
VOX
| Jonny Rocsh |
Jonny Rosch has been performing and recording as a vocalist, keyboardist, harmonica player and songwriter, for more than thirty years. He also plays guitar. A consummate and highly respected New York City session musician, Jonny is also the lead singer/front man for the legendary, original Blues Brothers Band.
Additionally, he has owned a recording studio and production company, New York Professional Digital, for the past twenty-five years. Having recorded on numerous album projects, he has worked on movie scores and TV & radio projects. National commercials and clients include McDonalds, Coca Cola, Disney, HBO, Sony, Ford Motor Co., Subway, Cotton. Inc., Nabisco, Home Depot, Kohls, Pizza Hut, Law and Order, and The Sopranos to name just a few.
In addition to personal live performances at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the prestigious Carnegie Hall, where he was backed by the legendary conductor, the late Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops Orchestra, Jonny has performed nationally and internationally including tours in Europe, Australia, South America and Southeast Asia.
He has recorded or performed with Joe Walsh, Phoebe Snow, Donald Fagen from Steely Dan, Bo Diddley, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Cornell DuPree, Tommy James and the Shondells, Joan Jett, Billy Squier, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Eddie “Knock On Wood” Floyd, John Oates, Jonathan Edwards, Robert Randolph and numerous other recording artists. He has also served as the opening act for many notables including B. B. King, Paul Simon, Joe Walsh, Booker T. & the M.G.'s and countless others. For 6 years Jonny was both the musical and creative director for entrepreneurial business mogul, billionaire James Dolan who is the CEO of Madison Square Garden, The New York Knicks, NY Rangers, NY Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, MSG Network, Cablevision, Optimum Online and various other holdings. He left in 2007 to continue touring in Europe with the Blues Brothers Band.
Jonny leads his own band, Jonny Rosch and Friends, which include members from Rod Stewart's band, Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, the Late Night with David Letterman band, the Saturday Night Live Band, and the Max Weinberg 7 (Late Show with Conan O’Brian), Smokey Joe's Cafe, Riverdance. With this band he has served as the musical director and supervisor for many awards shows including performances at The White House (Special Olympics) to Rockefeller Center (Louis Vuitton). Currently, Jonny is in preproduction for his own recording project when he is not touring as the lead vocalist / front man / harmonica player with the original Blues Brothers Band.
BASS
| Neil Jason |
Neil Jason is a professional bassist, producer and composer, born and raised in New York City. He has worked with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Billy Joel, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Hall & Oats, Mick Jagger, Pete Townsend, Charlie Watts, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Kiss, Janis Ian, Harry Chapin, Debbie Harry, Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Gladys Night, The Brecker Brothers, Bob James, David Sanborn, Celine Dion, John McLaughlin, Michael Franks, Cindy Lauper, Brigitte Zarie, Dire Straits, Eddie Van Halen and Luciano Pavorotti, to name a few.
Neil was a member of the Saturday Night Live house band from 1983 to 1985 and has made over a hundred appearances with Paul Shaffer’s band on The Late Show With David Letterman. He has also worked on countless hit commercials and movies as a composer in New York City.
SAX
| RICHIE CANNATA |
Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, RICHIE CANNATA studied classical piano and clarinet. He also plays flute and keyboards in addition to tenor, alto, soprano, and baritone sax, with tenor sax being his forte. RICHIE was a member of Billy Joel's band from 1975 - 1981, and has recently played on his last CD and will be performing with him again on his new tour in March of 2005!! He has produced albums for: Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge, Corey Hart, and Tommy Shaw. He and Tommy also co-wrote the theme song for the Orion Pictures movie: "Remo Williams - The Adventure Begins". RICHIE also appeared in the movie "Slaves of New York". For the last 10 years Richie has been a member of The Beach Boys, playing on their recordings as well as all of the world concert tours. Being a member of The Beach Boys he has guest starred with them on the shows "Full House" and "Bay Watch" as well performing at "Fanfair" in Nashville. He's a national jingle writer for Saatchi & Saatchi and Northwest Airlines. He wrote the theme music for the Barcelona Olympics, and he was the musical director for New York's “The Cutting Room” pro jam for two years. He has played on Celine Dion and Brian Wilson's newest C.D. and has been working with Billy Joel in his classical project. He performed as a guest soloist on New Years Eve 2000 at Madison Square Garden with Billy for the Millennium show as well as a feature on the CD that was recorded that night. He is the founder and co-owner of the world class recording studio Cove City Sound Studios.
DRUMS
| Topher Stott |
TOPHER STOTT - As a musician, Topher has performed live with a variety of artists including Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughn), Earl Slick, Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie), Jeff Healey, Phillip Sayce, Classic Albums Live, Hot Fo' Gandi, The Tiny Specks, Sara Kamin, Rik Emmett, Blair Packham, Bruce Gordon (I MOTHER EARTH), Derek Kai, Dj Carlos, Cherone Moore, Morgan David, Karen Durrant, Janet Whiteway, Stop Die, Andrea Florian, Bob Reid. In the studio,Topher has recorded numerous cds and has played on jingles/productions for companies such as Microsoft, Bausch and lomb, Catelli Pasta, Uniden Communications, NexxTech Phones, Wolverine Work Boots, to name a few. He is currently working on a cd of original children's music with his wife, Laurel James. As a leader, Topher runs "The Saints Of Cinema", a deep ambient groove project, and the power trio "Kings Of The Midway", featuring Michael Zweig and Jeff Jones.
Topher holds a Honours BFA-Music from York University (Toronto), where he focused on improvisation with Casey Sokol + David Mott, Jazz and Carnatic music with Trichy Sankaran. In 2005, Topher was asked back to York University in Toronto, teaching Contemporary Improvisation.
| Gerardo Velez |
It’s a little concert you might have heard of, 1969. Woodstock. When Jimi Hendrix took the stage and pointed to the crowd of thousands, sitting right behind him was his percussionist; Gerardo Velez.
Since then, Gerardo has performed in virtually every genre and every country,Collaborating with artists like David Bowie, Sir Elton John, Duran Duran, Slash from Guns & Roses, and everyone from Stevie Wonder to Jessica Simpson. If the movies has the “Kevin Bacon Game”:, the music industry has the “Gerardo Velez Game”; everyone links back to him.
He’s been nominated for 7 Grammy’s. He’s romped through the charts of Billboard and is in several Halls of Fame’s.
As an event producer and music director with over 2 years experience, he’s produced events for clients like: HBO, Miramax, The New York Stock Exchange, Comedy Central, United Way, and the NFL.
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