SoulMusicNews.com: Horn-driven soul, funk & jazz.

Fred Ross and his band, The Fred Ross Project, have been performing at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room since 1996. During that time Fred has had a lot of success.

He released his first solo CD, Dignity, on Doc Kupka’s Strokeland Records. He toured with James Brown horn alumni, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, recording a live-CD with the Rock’n'Roll Hall Fame duo. As well, Fred contributed vocals to the track, I Depend On You, on a studio recording, Ridin’ Mighty High, by Pee Wee.

Beginning in 2003, Fred became the front man for FamilyStoneXperience, A tribute to the music of Sly & The Family Stone. Several months ago, the band promoted him to Musical Director.

Fred recorded a second CD, on Strokeland Records, “The Law According to Fred Ross” and sang the title track, “Bumped up to First Class“ for the most recent Strokeland Superband CD.

This year, Fred will be reprising some tour dates with Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, leading the FamilyStoneXperience, AND anchoring Harry Denton’s Starlight Room with the Fred Ross Project.

Last night, Harry Denton personally took the time to honor Fred’s musical leadership at rooftop lounge, atop San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Harry made a presentation to Fred, in front of a SRO house, in appreciation of Fred’s contribution to the musical identity of the Starlight Room over the past dozen years.

Paraphrasing Fred, “There may be another nightclub or venue that has done this, but I’ve not seen it before. I very much appreciate receiving such special recognition from Harry Denton and the entire staff, for doing what I do.”

Fred is a master talent. I call him “The Cornerstone of Soul.” If you’re late in discovering him, just know that it’s not too late. Get on board.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Bumped up To First Class, Dignity, Doc Kupka, FamilyStoneExperience, Fred Ross, Fred Ross Project, Fred Wesley, Harry Denton's Starlight Room, James Brown, Pee Wee Ellis, San Francisco, Sir Francis Drake, Sly & The Family Stone, Strokeland Records, The Law According To Fred Ross

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If are you not yet hip to Candy Dulfer, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Candy came on the scene with a haunting sax riff on Lily Was Here, a collaboration with Eurhythmic’s Dave Stewart, in 1991.

Since, then the Holland-born Dulfer has been blazing her alto sax the world around, as band leader and side person with performers such as Prince, Maceo Parker, and many more.

The daughter of sax man, Hans Dulfer, Candy shows the music mastery and presence on stage in a variety of genre from soul to bop to jazz. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of seeing her perform in San Francisco (1996) and Las Vegas (2006). Both times; simply electric.

In an effort to choose just ONE of Candy’s CDs to recommend, I selected her Live in Montreux 2002 performance. It captures the excitement of her live shows at jazz festivals in an absolutely high energy situation.

My favorite tracks:

• Sax-A-Go-Go
• Pick Up The Pieces
• Gimme Some More

Candy Dulfer, Live in Montreux 2002 is available from Amazon.com in CD or mp3 download or as a DVD.

Order Montreux 2002 from Amazon.com

Additionally, Candy will be on a 10-day United States tour, beginning April 3rd.

• Thursday, April 3rd - Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
• Friday, April 4th - Reading, PA - Berks Jazz Fest
• Sunday, April 6th - Boston, MA - Scullers Jazz Club
• Monday, April 7th - New York, NY - BB Kings Club
• Thursday, April 10th - Sacramento, CA - Guzetta Grand Ballroom
• Friday, April 11th - San Diego, CA - Anthology
• Saturday, April 12th - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre

Technorati Tags: candy dulfer, hands dulfer, maceo parker, prince

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Sage has been making music in San Francisco’s South Bay for many years. In fact, Funksway is their third CD release.

The band features a percolating rhythm section, fat horns, and a distinctive lead vocalist. Leaving nothing to chance, Funksway includes the performances of some musical friends:

• Tom Politzer (sax – Tower of Power)
• Adolfo Acosta (trumpet – Tower of Power)
• Bruce Conte (guitar – Tower of Power)
• Mic Gillette (trumpet & trombone – formerly with Tower of Power)
• Andy Winer (trumpet & flugelhorn, from the American Idol band)

Comments from Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Tower of Power, pretty much say it all.

“When Tower of Power started out, most of our gigs were in San Jose. Sage represents the very best of EastBay and SouthBay music. They follow closely in the footsteps of Tower of Power and are a great band — and on top of that, they happen to be very nice guys.”

The entire CD is excellent. My personal favorites are:

• Knock You Out
• Funksway
• Ants

Funksway, from Sage, is available on CD Baby.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

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As I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion, when I moved to Las Vegas, Tower of Power’s leader, Emilio Castillo instructed me that “if Jerry Lopez’s band, Santa Fe was performing, anywhere, I should cancel my plans and go see them.”

Emilio typically throws out praise like tossing manhole covers, so, shall we say, I paid attention. Santa Fe has been a Las Vegas presence, to varying degrees for about three decades. Today, they are THE band to see and hear, Monday nights at the Palms Hotel and Casino.

Last week, Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns was written up as the cover story by the weekly publication, City Life, with the title, Super Group; subtitle: Lounge groups shouldn’t sound this good.

Two weeks ago, the horn section was the subject a full page article in the morning paper. The anchor for that story was that Bette Midler had hired them, en masse, to perform with her for her 2-year run at Caesars Palace.

What Tower Fans Will Like About Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns

For openers, the 6-piece Fat City Horns: two trumpets, trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, and baritone sax. Not just the players, but the horn arrangements, usually done by either Nathan Tanouye (Trombone) or David Richardson (Keyboards). The entire band totals 14 members, including a 6-piece rhythm section: 2 keyboards, drums, percussion, guitar, and bass and two lead vocalists. In addition, Jerry Lopez and Jamie Hosmer, guitar and keyboards, respectively, also sing lead.

Their current CD, Let The Healing Begin, was recorded live at the Palms, last summer. It is a smokin’ set that takes you right to the front row and won’t let you leave.

The material ranges from Soul to Funk to Salsa to Blues, including both original and cover material. As if 14 members were not enough, Jerry invited Michael Grimm go sing lead on Ray Charles’ You Don’t Know Me. Grimm’s gut-wrenching vocals accompanied by a BS&T/Ray Charles - style arrangement are one the CD’s highlights.

I have two other personal favorites: The first is Santa Fe’s rendition of Ain’t That Peculiar. This is their adaptation of Chaka Khan & Rufus take of the Marvin Gaye classic, from her live CD, Stompin’ at the Savoy. The spiced-up horn arrangement and shared lead vocals make this song scream.

The second is Nathan Tanouye’s original composition, Come With Me. It’s a fresh Latin-pop tune that is best played in your convertible as you breeze down the highway, a few miles over the speed limit.

The quality of the recording, and the post-production work don’t get any better than this. You should add this to your collection, today. Let The Healing Begin is available from CD Baby.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Ain't That Peculiar, Andy Ebon, BS & T, Chaka Khan, Emilio Castillo, Marvin Gaye, Michael Grimm, Ray Charles, Rufus, Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, Tower of Power, You don't know me

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At any given moment, Lon Bronson could be almost anywhere on the planet, serving as Musical Director for a TV show, musical production, or some other this project.

Happily, between his world travels, he assembles the Allstar Band for Las Vegas gigs. This Friday, the 22nd, is one of those nights.

Lon and the gang have settled in at the Railhead Room at Boulder Station. Superb sound & lights, and staging. Get there early. It’s two sets; 7:30pm and 9pm.

If you haven’t already picked up the Live CD from Lon Bronson & The Allstar Band, you can listen to tracks and buy three or four copies of your very own at CD Baby.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Andy Ebon, CEO of Soul, Las Vegas, Lon Bronson & The Allstar Band, Railhead at Boulder Station

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