BAND BIOGRAPHIES AND CREDITS
Stevie Hawkins ~ Lead Vocals and Drums
Music is Stevie Hawkins' passion. He grew up listening to and working to master a wide variety of music on drums and vocals. He plays and sings cross-genres from Jazz, to Rock, to Soul, Pop, Latin, Blues, Funk and R&B. Stevie is a versatile artist with an instinctive and distinctive style of drumming and singing. His inborn natural abilities combined with years of formal training cause him to play and sing with feel, style, finesse and technique. Stevie composes his original compositions on the piano. Throughout his career, he has received numerous musical awards, and recently won “Best Jazz Artist” in the 2012 All Indie Music Awards. He was a nominee as “Best Blues Artist”.
Over the years, Stevie has played drums for recording artists: John Lee Hooker, Percy Sledge, Rufus Thomas, Albert King, Brook Benton, Willie Hill, Harvey Scales, Sammy Blue, Chuck Berry, Dee Clark, Chubby Checker, Daryle Singletary, Razzy Bailey, Clifford Curry, Cledus T. Judd, Bertie Higgins, Jeff Carson, Johnny Rodriguez, Doug Stone, Ed Bruce, Charlie McCoy, and The Ink Spots. He has also shared the stage with Gregg Allman, Marshall Tucker Band, Johnny Winter, Leon Russell, Gap Band, Alice Cooper, Josh Thompson, Vern Gosdin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Craig Morgan, The Coasters, Confederate Railroad, Darryl Worley, Little Texas, T. Graham Brown, Lorrie Morgan, Janie Fricke, Danielle Peck, Ronnie Milsap, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, among others.
Between 2001 and 2003 Stevie recorded a live CD entitled Georgia Jam. Georgia Jam is a Southern Rock fusion of Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B, Folk, Soul and Country that features some of the South's finest guitarists to include Spencer Kirkpatrick, Wayne "Bear" Sauls, Barry Richman and Reddog. The album was released by Emphasis Records in 2005.
In 2007 Stevie released "High Time," a Blues/Soul album with Drew Stawin, Johnny "Guitar" Brown, Spencer Kirkpatrick, Terrell "Cool" Robinson, Wally Tarado and the Atlanta Horns.
2011 brings us "What The Funk?" The album containing 20 tracks spans the world of Funk music from the late 1960's to the present. Featuring some of the best in their genres: Soul Diva Jocelyn Brown, Sista Monica Parker, Tony Lindsay, Keith Harris, D'Layna, Funk Dogg, Cooley, Jaroslav Jakubovic, The Blues Brothers Horns, The Memphis Horns, Joe Vitale, Thiago Pinheiro, Butch Taylor, Tyrone Chase, Anthony Vitti, Sal Giorgiani, Jennifer Cosaro, Ralph Rosen, Delicious Allstars, Sanj Sen and Chuck Webb, the album's style is a mix of several genres, such as Soul, Blues, Jazz, Latin and the many other influences that make Funk music what it is.
Revered as one of the all time greats and a groove monster by his peers, Stevie is highly respected, and in consistent demand for his original brand of "riding the feel" Blues - Soul drumming, and "in the pocket" R&B/Funk drumming/singing for both stage and studio. http://www.steviehawkins.com
Jaroslav Jakubovic ~ Tenor Saxophone
Jaroslav Jakubovic has forged a legendary career throughout the world as musician, composer, and producer. Throughout the 1970's, he played saxophone with some of the biggest names in Pop and Jazz history, including Bette Midler, Paul Simon, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Miroslav Vitous, and many others. He is widely known as one of the world's top baritone sax practitioners, and became the only saxophone player ever to be signed to Columbia Records famed jazz department in the 1970's. He released two records on Columbia , "Checkin' In" and "Blast", which sold a combined total of 400,000 records. He moved to Israel in 1978, where he became perhaps the most prolific and well-regarded record producer in Israeli History, working with many of Israel's biggest stars. http://www.vmmrecords.com
Don Harris ~ Trumpet
Don Harris began playing trumpet at age 8 and was taking music very seriously by the time he was in high school. By age 16 he was working with a number of local bands and performing with the prestigious Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble of The New England Conservatory of Music. He toured Russia and Finland with this group while only 17. After High School he moved to Boston and enrolled at the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music. While in school Don performed all over New England, with styles varying from the Rock & Roll of Bill Chinnock, and members of the original E Street Band, to The James Montgomery Blues Band, and the folk stylings of Kate Taylor as well as local Latin and jazz groups. During this time he also recorded with Elis Hall and Gypsy (Jeff Golub's first band), and played on numerous jingles for clients such as Tech-HiFi, Tweeter Etc., and Radio Shack.
Upon graduation Don left Boston to go on tour with James Taylor. He followed that tour with a trip to Brazil to pursue a growing interest in Brazilian music and culture. The visit had a profound effect on Don's life as he stayed in Brazil and became a studio and performing musician there for the next nine years. During this time he did dozens of national and international tours including the Montreaux Jazz Festival where the album "Brazil Night- Montreaux '83" was recorded for BMG/Ariola Records. As a studio musician he also recorded some 250 albums with virtually every top name artist in the country including: Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Djavan, Roberto Carlos, Simone, and Elis Regina.
After Rio, Don moved to Rome, Italy where he worked with many local artists as well as Italian television (Rai Uno). After a year of life in Italy he came home to New York City where he continues to live and work as a performer, arranger, and producer in all styles of music. In 1997 Don became the lead trumpet player and featured soloist for the legendary soul band Tower of Power with whom he toured the world through 1998. Don went on to tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ben E. King and from 2000 through 2004 he was the Musical Director for Mary Wilson of The Supremes, an Ambassador of Rhythm and Blues for the U.S. State Department.
He continues to tour along with his brother Bill as The Harris Bros Horns with Jeff Golub, Warren Hill, and Kirk Whalum. Recently The Harris Bros Horns have been busy making records for many of the top names in the world of Smooth Jazz, such as Peter White, Warren Hill, Avenue Blue, Andre Berry and the Deep Fried Funk Society. Each January they are the featured horn section on Warren Hill's Smooth Jazz Cruise where they perform with roughly fourteen of the top Smooth Jazz artists in the world. Together they also record and perform live all over the New York and tri- state area. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming CD by The Harris Bros Band entitled “East Coast Stroke”. It will turn some heads!
Some of the many artists with whom Don has performed or recorded include: Kirk Whalum
Bobby Caldwell Michael McDonald Tower of Power Robben Ford The Temptations Bruce Willis Stevie Wonder Ben E. King Bob James Celine Dion Robbie Dupree The Four Tops Sister Sledge James Taylor Rufus Thomas Destiny's Child Mary Wilson Julio Iglesias Michael Bolton Martha Reeves & the Vandellas Paul Shaffer Spyro Gyra Will Lee The Spinners Phoebe Snow http://www.harrisbroshorns.com
Blue Lou Marini ~ Saxophone
Lou Marini, Jr. (aka "Blue Lou") (born May 13, 1945) is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.
Marini graduated from Fairless High School in Navarre, Ohio. His father, Lou Marini, Sr., was the head band director at Fairless and created the school's "Alma Mater" (official song). Each year, Fairless High still bestows the Lou Marini Award in honor of his father's work. Lou Marini, Sr. died in May 2008.
Lou Jr. attended the University of North Texas, where he played in the famed One O'Clock Lab Band. Following graduation, he gigged as a professional musician and eventually became a member of Blood, Sweat and Tears. He was a member of the Saturday Night Live house band from 1975 to 1983 and appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers and in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, playing the part of "Blue Lou" (a name given to him by Dan Aykroyd). He also played on Frank Zappa's 1977 album Zappa in New York, and has worked with a diverse range of artists such as Dionne Warwick, Maureen McGovern, Deodato, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Aerosmith, the Buddy Rich Big Band, and the Woody Herman Orchestra.
Lou Marini has spent most of his professional life working as a sideman and arranger. In 2001, Marini released his first recording as a leader, with Ray Reach and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, titled "Lou's Blues" (released 2003). This recording features his arrangements and compositions, many of which have become favorites for the Lab Bands at the University of North Texas. The liner notes of the CD were written by Grammy Award winning composer / arranger / producer Bob Belden. Lou is currently working on a new CD project, again collaborating with Ray Reach, with vocals by his son, Lou Marini III.
Instruments saxophones, Clarinet, flutes Associated acts: Blood, Sweat and Tears, Buddy Rich Band, Woody Herman Orchestra Saturday Night Live Band, The Blues Brothers, James Taylor Band Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Magic City Jazz Orchestra
The following is an abbreviated listing of some of the many recording projects in which he has participated.
* 1967 One O'clock Lab Band (University of North Texas) * 1972 Blood, Sweat & Tears - New Blood; Sunshine - Sunshine * 1973 Blood, Sweat & Tears - No sweat; B.J. Thomas - Songs * 1974 B. J. Thomas - Longhorn & London Bridges (Flute, sax); Lou Reed - Sally Can't Dance * 1976 Elliott Murphy - Night Lights; Walter Murphy - Fifth of Beethoven; Ringo Starr - Ringo's Rotogravure * 1977 D. C. Larue - Ten Dance; Laso - Laso; Andy Pratt - Shiver in the Night; Jess Band Roden - Player Not the Game; Neil Sedaka - Song (clarinet, sax); John Tropea - Short Trip to Space; Patti Austin - Havana Candy * 1978 The Blues Brothers - Briefcase Full of Blues (sax, voice); Cindy Bullens - Desire Wire; Boyzz - Too Wild to Tame; Mike Mandel - Sky Music; Kate Taylor - Kate Taylor; Thijs Vanleer - Nice To Have Met You; T. life - That's Life; Frank Zappa - Zappa in New York; Levon Helm - Levon Helm & The RCO All-stars; Wiz - Wiz * 1979 Magnet - Worldwide Attraction; Robben Ford - Inside Story; John Tropea - To Touch You Again; Larry Applewhite - Larry Applewhite (flute, sax); Bobbi Humphrey - Good Life; Aerosmith - Night In The Ruts; Michael Franks - Tiger In The Rain; Peter Tosh - Mystic Man * 1980 Cameo - Feel Me; Deodato - Night Cruiser; The Blues Brothers - Made in America; Manu Dibango - Gone Clear; Brecker Brothers - Don't Stop the Music; The Blues Brothers - Blues Brothers (film soundtrack) (sax, voce) * 1981 The Blues Brothers - Best of the Blues Brothers; The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame, Meat Loaf - Dead Ringer; Lena Horne - Live On Broadway; Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread & Alive; Manu Dibango - Ambassador * 1982 Luther Vandross - Forever, For Always, For Love * 1983 Garland Jeffreys - Guts For Love; Marvin Stamm - Stampede; Carly Simon - Hello, Big Man; Spyro Gyra - City Kids * 1985 John Tropea - NYC Cats Direct (flute, arrangements, sax) * 1987 Claude Nougaro - Nougayrock * 1988 Various Artists - Great Outdoors; Love & Money - Strange Kind of Love; B. B. King - King of Blues; Cornell Dupree - Coast to Coast; Michael Gibbs - Big Music (flute, sax) * 1989 Jimmy Buffett - Off To See The Lizard; Phoebe Snow - Something Real; Dionne Warwick - Sings Cole Porter; Maureen McGovern - Naughty Baby; GRP - Grp: On The Cutting Edge * 1990 Closer Than Ever - Closer Than Ever; Eddie Palmieri - Unfinished Masterpiece; Hank Crawford - Groove Master * 1992 The J. Geils Band - Houseparty: Anthology; Ray Simpson - Ray Simpson; Maureen McGovern - Baby I'm Yours (flute, sax); Various artists - Love Songs; One O'clock Lab Band - Best of One O'clock; Hank Crawford - South Central; Frank Zappa - You Can't do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 6; The Blues Brothers - The Definitive Collection * 1993 Dina Carroll - So Close; Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad (clarinet, flute, sax); Laura Nyro - Walk The Dog & Lite The Lite (fluteo, arrangements); Joe Roccisano - Shape I'm In (flute, sax); Jill O'Hara- Jill O'Hara * 1994 Tribute to Curtis Mayfield (flute, sax); Milton Nascimento - Angelus (flute); Aretha Franklin - Greatest Hits (1980-1994); Ann Hampton Callaway - Bring Back Romance (flute, sax) * 1995 Repercussions - Earth and Heaven (flute, sax); Joe Roccisano - Leave Your Mind Behind (flute, sax); Raw stylus - Pushing Against the Flow (flute, sax); Denise Jannah - I Was Born In Love With You; Jesse "wild bill" Austin - Baby's Back (sax, arrangements); Harvey Thomas - Highways of Gold (sax) * 1996 Harolyn Blackwell Sings Bernstein (flute, sax); Tom Pierson - Planet of Tears; Frank Zappa - Läther; Freddy Cole - It's Crazy, But I'm In Love; Family Thing - Family Thing; Michael Gibbs - Big Music (flute, sax); Maureen McGovern - Out of This World (flute, sax) * 1997 Laura Nyro - Stoned Soul Picnic: The Best of Lauura Nyro (fute, percussion); Maureen McGovern - Music Never Ends (flute, sax); Eddie King - Another Cow's Dead (arrangements, sax); Frank Zappa - Have I Offended Someone? * 2000 Steely Dan - Two Against Nature (sax) * 2001 Lou Marini and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra - Lou's Blues (sax, arrangements, compositions) * 2005 Amy Drinkwater. "With All My Heart - A Journey to the Soul." (sax) * 2006 Eric Essix and the Night Flight Big Band. "SuperBlue." (sax) http://www.blueloumarini.com
Tom “Bones” Malone ~ Trombone
Tom "Bones" Malone (born June 16, 1947) is an American jazz musician. As his nickname implies, he specializes on the trombone, but also plays trumpet, tuba, tenor sax, baritone sax, flutes, piccolo, and other instruments.
Malone worked in bands of Woody Herman (1969), Duke Pearson (1970), Louie Bellson (1971), Doc Severinsen, Frank Zappa (1972) and Blood, Sweat & Tears (1973). In 1973, Malone began a close, 15-year association with Gil Evans, who exerted considerable musical influence on him. With Evans, Malone recorded seven albums and toured Europe, Japan and the Far East. In 1975, Malone toured with Billy Cobham, in 1976 with The Band.
In 1970 after he was heard performing with Ten Wheel Drive and Genya Ravan, he received a call from Saturday Night Live (SNL), a new and revolutionary, late-night comedy show on NBC. Malone arranged for the show from 1975 to 1985 and served as musical director from 1981 to 1985. A single SNL comedy skit, which featured John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd mushroomed into The Blues Brothers; Malone wrote the chart for that first skit, then continued as an integral member of the Blues Brothers musical organization. His writing and performance may be found on all Blues Brothers recordings and in The Blues Brothers film score. In the movie he appears as a fictionalized version of himself. The Blues Brothers 2000 film score includes considerable contributions by Malone.
In 1992, Malone toured with Willy DeVille; he can be heard on DeVille's Willy DeVille Live album.
In 1993, Malone reunited with SNL veterans Paul Shaffer (keyboards), and Will Lee, (bass), in the CBS Orchestra. Malone joined the CBS Orchestra on November 1, 1993, and has contributed more than 800 arrangements to the Late Show.
As a studio musician, he has been heard on more than 1,000 records and in more than 3000 radio and television commercials. Malone has also played themes for CBS This Morning, Murder, She Wrote, and the 1992 Olympic Winter Games, all on the CBS Television Network. His solo album, Soul Bones, features guest appearances by Paul Shaffer and Blues Traveler's John Popper.
Malone's additional feature film credits include The Last Waltz and Sister Act.
In 2007 Malone was invited by Music Director Geoffrey Moull to arrange and perform a concert with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. He frequently performs with Beatles tribute band The Fab Faux (as part of The Hogshead Horns) along with fellow CBS Orchestra member Will Lee.
Butch Taylor ~ Guitar
Butch is a published songwriter who has performed and recorded with many notable recording artists, both internationally and nationally. Butch has had the opportunity to perform top clubs and arenas such as the Starwood in L.A., the Boarding House in San Francisco, and the Bottom Line, the Felt Forum, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Butch has toured and recorded with artist Vicki Sue Robinson for RCA records and appeared on major television shows such as Don Kirchner’s Rock Concert, the Midnight Special, Mike Douglas Show, and the Merv Griffin Show.
Butch has played backup guitar for such artists as James Ingram, Deniece Williams, Patty Austin, Petula Clark, and Debra Cox. He has played and recorded with many notable musicians such as Larry Coryell, Anthony Jackson, David Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers, Bernard Purdie, and Alphonse Mouzon.
A graduate of Yale University, Butch has been a landmark in the local music scene for many years. He has a number of original music CDs to his credit as well as soundtracks for film and video.
Founder of the Butch Taylor Band, Butch's awesome guitar playing and exemplary vocals place the Butch Taylor Band in a class of its own. http://www.butchtaylor.com/btband/butch.htm
Chuck Webb ~ Bass
Chuck Webb is a first call bassist who has toured the world many times and performed with such notable artists as Ramsey Lewis, David Sanborn, Al DiMeola, Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard and many others. As one of Chicago's top studio bassists Chuck has performed on hundreds of records, commercial jingles and sound tracks. Chuck is a member of the National Federation of Musicians and the National Educators Association.
A versatile writer & producer, in addition to his film scores, sample CD, jazz and contemporary projects; Chuck is also the creator of the critically acclaimed educational music programs "Mind Games," and “Multiply This.” School systems and individuals throughout the country and abroad in countries such as Canada, Germany and Australia successfully utilize CDs of these programs.
Chuck is also on the faculty of Columbia College Chicago's music department, serving as both the coordinator of the Contemporary, Urban and Popular Music ensemble program and as a bass instructor.
TOURS AND PERFORMANCES Jazz- Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Willie Pickens, Henry Johnson, Phil Upchurch, The Gerald Wilson Big Band, Barbara Morrison & many others...
Contemporary Jazz- David Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr., Al DiMeola, Brian Culbertson, Mike Stern, Roy Ayers, Ronny Laws, Terri Lynne Carrington, Eric Darius, Jerry Goodman, Bradley Leighton & many others...
R&B/Soul- Jerry Butler, Smokey Robinson, Bill Withers, Teena Marie, Vesta Williams, Musiq SoulChild, Fred Wesley, Layla Hathaway, The 5th Dimension, The Sherelles, Howard Hewitt, Phil Perry, Stevie Wonder, Gene Chandler, The Drifters, Jean Carn, Marlena Shaw & many others...
Rock, Country, Blues etc - Charlie Daniels, Neil Schon, Buddy Guy, Kathy Troccoli, Glen Kaiser, Larry Howard, Peter Primrose, Rich Little, Robert Klein, Mac Frampton & others
FILM SCORES (composer) How U Like Me Now With Love Dani Vacant Lot Changing Man In Through The Out Door Blue Sunsets And Urban Love Pieces Of A Dream
TELEVISION SCORES (composer) Dramatic Moments in Black Sports History From Whence We Came Awards Memorable Moments in Sports History
TELEVISION (on screen) The Playboy Club, NBC dramatic series Tribute to Smokey Robinson, PBS
PARTIAL DISCOGRAPHY With Ramsey Lewis: Ivory Pyramid, Sky Islands, Between The Keys, Dance Of The Soul (all on GRP) With Urban Knights: Urban Knights II (on GRP) GRP Collections: Christmas Collection Vol. III, Beatles Collection ("I Got No Kick Against Modern Jazz") With Mansfield, Howard, Kaiser: Into The Night (GRR) With Glenn Kaiser: Throw Down Your Crowns, Spontaneous Combustion (both on GRR) With Larry Howard: Bright Side of The Blues (Forefront) With Deborah Coleman: I Can't Loose (Blind Pig) With Shirley Bell: Shirley Bell (Savoy) With Blak: Blak (Epic) With Charlelie Coutoure: Casque Nu (Chrysalis/EMI)
NATIONAL COMMERCIALS (bassist) McDonalds, Nike, Allstate, Ford, Sears, AT&T, Reebok, Micheloeb, Coors, State Farm, Kellogg’s, American Express, Chevrolet, Miller, Ameritrade, Subaru, Pillsbury, Nissan, Citibank, Nationwide Insurance, Jeep and many others.
THEATER WORK Billy Elliot Jersey Boys (bass, vocals, on stage) The Color Purple Hot Mikado Godspell The Wiz (featuring Stephanie Mills) Five Guys Named Moe Smokey Joe's Cafe The Trouble Is Men The Trouble Is Women Hinton Battle/ Largely Live
TEACHING Ensemble program coordinator, bass instructor and ensemble director at Columbia College, Chicago, Private instruction http:// www.chuckwebbmusic.com
Van Abbott ~ Keyboards/Vocals
Van Abbott is a keyboardist/arranger/producer, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee (1974-1978) where he majored on trombone, minored in jazz, under mentor and famed music professor Jerry Coker.
In 1973 and 1974, he played trombone and keyboards with "The Stringfield Family", a New York based Soul/Funk band, originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who were nearly signed to Motown by Berry Gordy, but the Stringfield's mother intervened and declined Mr. Gordy's offer.
In 1974, Van was a staff session musician at ABC/Dot Records in Manhattan, playing trombone for various Soul artists to include Eddie Floyd, (Knock On Wood).
From 1974 to 1983, moving from trombone to piano and Hammond- B3, simultaneously kicking organ bass pedals, he played with various local and regional artists in East Tennessee to include pop and jazz trios with Stevie Hawkins from 1979 to 1983. During this period, he was a staff session musician at Platinum Studio in Knoxville, playing keyboards on commercials, demo and master recordings, writing charts and composing string arrangements.
From 1984 to present, Van has toured and/or recorded with national artists playing keyboards to include, Reba McEntire, Stella Parton, Dolly Parton (Van was the Music Director at Dollywood 1986/87), Tammy Wynette, Jeff Carson, Baillee & The Boys, Stonewall Jackson, Bobby Cryner, Daryle Singletary and Aaron Tippin. He has also shared the stage with The Jackson Five, Earth Wind And Fire, The Ohio Players, Commodores, and played the prestigious Apollo Theater and Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Van has toured Afghanistan once, and Iraq three times, entertaining the U.S. Military Troops based there, playing keyboards for Aaron Tippin.
Bobby “BB” Brown ~ Percussion/Drums/Vocals
In the 1970's Bobby and Stevie Hawkins played together in a two drummer configuration, with two drum sets, and full percussion rig set ups. They played anything from Southern Rock to Soul, Latin to Funk, giving the music an explosion of rhythms and percussion.
Bobby has traveled the world as a drummer and backup vocalist, performing at clubs and concert venues. Bobby has shared the stage playing drums along with: Nazareth, Brownsville Station, New York Dolls, The Producers from Atlanta GA., Gregg Allman, Leon Russell, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Mothers Finest, Firefall, Clifford Curry, T. Graham Brown, Lee Greenwood, among others.
Bobby worked as staff drummer at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He also played drums with the Toucan Blues Band, introducing high energy blues with a very unique sound, packing venues throughout in the southeast region.
For the Stevie Hawkins And Asteroid Funk Tour, Bobby will be performing on percussion, background vocals, and playing drums when Stevie is on front stage.