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The Band
The six tracks on the "Salam Pax (Peace)" CD feature the extraordinary talent of a group of gifted musicians, and it was a great pleasure to work with them. Here's some background on the personnel, and where you can hear more of their work:
Stef Burns, lead and rhythm guitars on all 6 tracks. Stef's main gig these days is playing lead guitar for Huey Lewis and the News, but he has many other amazing projects. Check out his duets with acoustic guitarist Peppino D'Agostino on the Bayshore Road CD, or look for his Youtube performances with Sheila E. You won't recognize the hair, but you can't miss the burning licks-- that's Stef, all right. Check out www.stefburns.com for the full story.
Curtis Ohlson, bass and production on all 6 tracks. Curtis hit the road with Ray Charles when he was 16, starting a long and prolific music career. Lately, Curtis is the bass player in another classic setting, the Booker T. band. He has played with many of the greats in jazz, blues and rock. Curtis' bass provides the rock solid foundation for the songs, and he also has some fine solos on "Only Makin' Money." See www.curtisohlson.com for more about Curtis.
Kevin Hayes, drums on all 6 tracks. Kevin is the drummer with the Robert Cray Band, and has played with John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, and B.B. King, not to mention several discs with his sister, the fabulous Bonnie Hayes. Kevin's grooves can't be beat.
Dave Mathews, keyboards on Salam Pax, Only Makin' Money, I Let It Go, Wrong Side and Ask Your Doctor. Dave is a uniquely talented guy who can sit at the piano and play any style, from rock to jazz to classical, with equal facility. Dave is featured in Etta James and the Roots Band, and he also fronts his own band. Dave's Hammond B-3 organ sound on this session really rocks, while his piano part on I Let It Go is classically influenced and delicate. Dave also helped with the string arrangement on I Let It Go.
Jill Suttie, harmony vocals on Salam Pax, Only Makin' Money, Wrong Side, and Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud. We have been singing together since we met in 1990, which was two years before we were married. I love how our voices sound together. Jill is working on her own CD, which should be released later this year. She has written and performed some beautiful songs, and we can't wait till the CD is completed. |
(Download invidual songs or the
whole album at DigStation)
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Jeremy Cohen is the violinist and musical director of the Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco. Jeremy has played with Santana on the Supernatural CD, and with many other greats. Three-fourths of the Quartet San Francisco performed the string parts on I Let It Go, accompanied by Josph Hebert on cello. Beautiful musicianship. See www.quartetsanfrancisco.com for more.
Renee Hayes, Linda Sanderson and Gwen McElwee, harmony vocals on Only Makin' Money, Wrong Side and Ask Your Doctor. These three make up the core of The Irrationals, a terrific a cappella group. They have been singing together for 15 years, so the harmonies are really tight. Find out more about them at www.the-irrationals.com.
Marc Russo, Mick Gillette, and Marvin McFadden, horns. These 3 played as a horn section on Salam Pax, and Marc performed the alto sax solo on Only Makin' Money. Marc has performed with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, the Yellowjackets, and Kenny Loggins. All three have performed with the Doobie Brothers and the legendary Tower of Power horn section.
Larry Batiste and Jeannie Tracy, harmony vocals on Salam Pax. Larry and Jeannie have been knowing each other and singing together for quite awhile. Their accomplishments are too lengthy to list, but they include: Larry is music director for the Grammys, has written over 300 songs for dozens of top artists, and owns his own record label. Jeannie was a Star Search winner back in the pre- American Idol days, has sung with Aretha Franklin and many other stars.
Steve Savage, engineer and co-producer. Steve knows the gear like no one else, helped to design the studio, and gets the best sound out of all the instruments. Steve teaches recording engineering at Los Medanos College, produces CDs for the Robert Cray Band, co-founded the BlueBear Music School of San Francisco, and recently earned his Ph.D in Music from University of London. |
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