9/21/07

Jann Klose Releases Single Late Summer, Album due November

For immediate release:
JANN KLOSE RELEASES SINGLE LATE SUMMER, ALBUM IN NOVEMBER
(Multi-Cultural Pop Singer-Songwriter Makes New Music Available)

Pop singer-songwriter Jann Klose is releasing new music this season—a single this September and an album in November. The yet-untitled album, which was produced at Hoboken’s Water Music, will have at least a dozen new songs and an instrumental, “Ithaca," which Jann composed for oboe. Titles include "Mother Said, Father Said," "Watching You Go," "All These Rivers," "Doing Time," and “Clouds.”

Part of the record—including the single “Beautiful Dream”/”Hold Me Down”—was produced by Stewart Lerman (Dar Williams, Loudon Wainwright III, “The Aviator,” “A Life Aquatic”). "Beautiful Dream”/”Hold Me Down” is now available for download on eMusic.com, Rhapsody.com, and iTunes.com; it will be on other sites by September 20th.  A CD single will also be available.

After hearing “Beautiful Dream,” Sirius Radio's Pop Programming Director Kid Kelly said, "I find Jann's music super-engaging."  Bruce Haring, who runs the DIY Convention and booked him at New York City's Book Expo in Central Park, stated, “'Beautiful Dream' is delightful."   Former Renaissance singer Annie Haslam is also a fan, “'Beautiful Dream' has a lush soaring orchestral feel with shades of early ELO.   Jann's powerful voice and delivery are laced with purposeful lyrics—a much needed talent!"

Jann is performing one-off shows in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey up through the album's release, and will expand dates in November through his more popular markets in the Mid West, Middle Atlantic, and New England.  In December he'll do a limited tour of Germany.  In January 2008, he'll perform his first solo Southern California dates, including a performance at NAMM. In between these dates, he’ll perform assorted one-offs and college shows, He'll continue to tour through 2008.

Because of Jann’s multi-cultural background and varied taste in music, it's challenging to find a single artist for comparison. He was born in Mannheim, Germany, raised in Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa until age 10. His family then returned to Hamburg, Germany. He came to Cleveland, Ohio as an exchange student, returned to Germany for a year to complete his civil service, and, then, started his music career in the States.

Now living in the Bronx, NY, He's released three independent CDs since 1997, ENOUGH SAID, THE STRANGEST THING, and BLACK BOX, plus the digital LIVE AT THE BITTER END. "It's Not The Way" off BLACK BOX EP was included on SAAB’s 60th anniversary CD in France, and on the CD, PRAMBORS HITS 3, in Indonesia. The title track "Black Box" was licensed to the Warner Bros. Home DVD movie “Dead Broke,” starring Paul Sorvino, Jill Hennessy.   
 
Dates are being added to Jann's touring schedule.   Check http://www.jannklose.com regularly:
September 24:  MALDEN ACCESS TV, CH. 3, BOSTON, MA
September 24   CANTAB LOUNGE, CAMBRIDGE, MA
September 28:  GOLDHAWK, HOBOKEN, NJ   (benefit for the Global Literacy Project, www.glp.org)
September 28:  THE BLUE ROOM, SECAUCUS, NJ
September 29:  ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK, NY
September 29:  DOMINIE’S HOEK, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (w/Andy Guthrie)
October 2:   MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, UTICA, NY
October 4:   THE CUTTING ROOM, NEW YORK, NY (benefit for Education Through Music, http://etmonline.org)
October 23:   ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK, NY
November 7:    BEACHLAND BALLROOM, CLEVELAND, OH (w/Stratospheerius and Ryan Montbleau Band)
November 9:  TBA:  YOUNGSTOWN  (w/Stratospheerius)
November 27: ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK, NY
December 18: TBA:  NEW YORK, NY
December 28: KUKUUN, HAMBURG, GERMANY
December 29: KUKUUN, HAMBURG, GERMANY
January 17:  NAMM SHOW at MARTIN GUITARS booth, ANAHEIM, CA.

http://www.jannklose.com
http://www.myspace.com/jannklose

Posted by at

Jethro Tull update


You probably know Jethro Tull is currently touring.  Most of the North American dates are sold out, so my guest list is really limited to folks, who I haven't guested through the years.  This year the band features Ian Anderson (voice, guitar, flute), Martin Barre (guitars), David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keyboards), and Doane Perry (drums).  These folks are among the artists, who'll be on the 2008 album of new songs from Jethro Tull.  That’s due out by summer of 2008.  Recently Ian told GOLDMINE’s Conrad Stinnett that the group's recorded eight songs so far for the new album, and the plan is to “head back into the studio and finish the album after the first of the year, so it should be out in May or June of 2008.”  Full article at http://www.goldminemag.com.

http://www.jethrotull.com
Posted by at

Grand Funk Railroad dates

Grand Funk Railroad is original members—drummer Don Brewer, bassist Mel Schacher, singer/guitarist Max Carl, keyboardist Tim Cashion, and guitarist Bruce Kulick.  
            
Here are tour dates through early January.  Please, check the site for updates, and I'll also let the locals know:

September 29: LUCY PARK, WICHITA FALLS, TX
October 6:  SNYDER BIKE RALLY, SNYDER, TX
October 28:  LAKETOWN FEST, KENNER, LA
November 3:  RIB FEST, HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE PARK, HOMESTEAD, FL   
November 10: RIB FEST, VINOY PARK, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
November 11:   RIVERFRONT PARK, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC
November 30 through December 1:  CACTUS PETE’S SHOWROOM, JACKPOT, NV
January 17, 2008    THE COMMUNITY THEATRE, MORRISTOWN, NJ

http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com
Posted by at

Jay and the Americans

I just signed Jay and the Americans to my publicity roster.  The group features the original Americans and a new Jay, whose real name really is Jay.  Well, John Reincke (pronounced “Rank—ee”).  But he was called “Jay” growing up in Chicago.  His dad was the John of the family.  The group details how they earned back ownership of their name on a press release and a beautiful TODAY SHOW profile at its web site, www.jayandtheamericans.net.
 
In between great live shows, Gary Katz is producing a new Jay and the Americans album.  You know Gary's name from Steely Dan records.  Walter Becker and Donald Fagen started their careers in Jay and the Americans’ backup band.  There's a song “Little Senorita” that you can listen to on the group’s web site, too.
 
The group members—the original Americans are Sandy Yaguda (aka as Sandy Deanne), Howie Kirschenbaum (aka Howie Kane), and Marty Kupersmith (aka Marty Sanders).  Their hits include “Tonight,” “Only In America,” “This Magic Moment,” “Come A Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia” and at least six more.

In 2002, Jay and the Americans was inducted into the VOCAL GROUP HALL OF FAME, placing the singers among the greatest vocal groups in Rock and Roll history.

In addition to touring and recording, Jay and the Americans donated an autographed gramaphone for an auction to help the Richmond Group, underprivileged kids in the lower New York State area.  (http://www.richmondgroup.org/childrens.html).  That auction will be October 1, at 6 PM at the Friars Club, 57 East 55th Street, in New York City.  Admission is $250 per person. For more information, contact Carol Baron at: baron@richmondgroup.org or  call (914)471-4129.
 
Here are upcoming shows through the end of the year, check the web site for updates and 2008 shows!
September 21:  BB KINGS, NEW YORK CITY
September 28:  RAM's HEAD, ANNAPOLIS, MD
September 29:  SELLERSVILLE THEATER, Sellersville, PA
October 5: KENT STAGE, KENT, OH
October 12:  STRAND THEATER, LAKEWOOD, NJ
November 24:  GRAND OPERA HOUSE, WILMINGTON, DE    
November 30: ROBINSON RANCHERIA CASINO, NICE, CA
December 1: FEATHER FALLS CASINO, OROVILLE, CA
December 7: MELLON ARENA, PITTSBURGH, PA
December 14: DIAMOND JO CASINO, NORTHWOOD, IA  
December 15:  LCO CASINO/LAC COURTE ORIELLES GRAND LODGE CONVENTION CENTER, HAYWARD, WI

http://www.jayandtheamericans.net

Posted by at

THE LOVE KILLS THEORY & CEVIN SOLING

The Love Kills Theory is one of the only alternative punk bands with a very developed philosophy.   Musicologist and student of philosophy Mark Kirby profiled the group's leader Cevin Soling at    http://www.indiemusicnews.com/?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=57

There are more write ups due for the group.  This October, BEYOND RACE will print a profile, and soon after that, SKOPE will be joining in.  Cevin is finishing a movie, THE WAR ON KIDS, which is about today's failing public education system.  He recently produced an R-rated cartoon, CAPTAIN STICKMAN VERSUS THE COLOR BLACK with Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and the Connells’ Doug MacMillan as voices. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmJazxI9Rfw

There are now two new videos from The Love Kills Theory.   Media release is below, and you can watch those at http://www.myspace.com/lovekillstheory!
 
For immediate release:
THE LOVE KILLS THEORY Releases Two Videos: “Suicide Girls” and “The Love Kills Theory” from THE LOVE KILLS THEORY album, HAPPY SUICIDE JIM.
   
Alt rock/punk band The Love Kills Theory has two new videos.  Recently produced is “Suicide Girls,” which is an animated project created by Julie Lopez, an up-and-coming animator based in California.  "Suicide Girls" is about addiction to TV, computers or any other device that produces a simulacrum of "reality."

The other video is The Love Kills Theory,” which is a song on the group’s album, HAPPY SUICIDE JIM.  The video shows the pretty French Maids dusting one another and—ultimately -- having a pretty messy pillow fight. The maids represent the opiate spectacle for the masses and serve as exploited representations of seductive diversion. The video also includes excerpts of fights on the street, images from HAPPY SUICIDE JIM’s graphics, and quotes from the song, “The Love Kills Theory.”  

Cevin directed The Love Kills Theory video, and Frenchmaidtv.com supplied the “maids for it, I knew that French Maid TV had a following and also had a great approach and sense of humor.  Tim Street has since posted the video on several sites where I have also posted the video, but he gets 10,000 times as many viewers!"  Therefore, look for the video as “The Love Kills Theory” at myspace.com/lovekillstheory, smartvideo.com, revver.com, singingfool.com, musicspectrum.com, youtube.com.

Ultimately everysong on HAPPY SUICIDE JIM will be turned into a video.

The Love Kills Theory video has just hit #21 on the MV SPY video charts at www.mvspy.com.   In addition the group was a recent featured artist on both ARTISTDirectnetwork’s and ReverbNation’s homepages.  In an article for the UK’s DIESEL magazine, Giuseppe Fabulosso expressed how she was a convert to the Love Kills Theory's well, defined philosophical belief that society's pursuits for indulgences makes us soulless consumers.  She noted that Cevin Soling (whose first name is pronounced Kevin”) is the driving force of the group, and he “takes some comfort from the fact that ‘if we succumb to the allure of commodity fetishism and become hopelessly bound to an existence of inescapable alienation,’ at least he warned us.  I reckon we would do well to heed his warning and I totally dig the video…."

The Love Kills Theory is--indeed--the only band to espouse a coherent and fully developed philosophy.  It is based on an amalgam of the works of Guy Debord, founder of Situationist International, Aldous Huxley, and others, fused with the current bio-genetic studies on the evolution of despair.
 
THE LOVE KILLS THEORY lyrics

The world's at odds with our genetic make up
Were taught to sleep, but not to wake up
Things we buy are the things we hold dearly.
We're in love with the love kills theory.

Something's wrong but you just can't name it
Cream once rose, but now the dregs are famous
You want to see, but your vision is bleary
Your eyes are fixed on the love kills theory.

We chain ourselves to a faceless past
Cling hard to things that do not last
Cultural stasis is our fight sincerely
‘cause we live in the love kills theory

When you wonder why all good is fading
Things you're wanting become things you're hating
What sustained you now makes you weary
You're addicted to the love kills theory.
http://www.cevinsoling.com
http://www.xemu.com
http://www.thelovekillstheory
http://myspace.com/lovekillstheory
Posted by at

What's up with Tower of Power!!!!!

Tower of Power have tons of tour dates between now and the end of the year, plus there'll be many next year.  The group is also, finally, almost done with its upcoming CD which is a soul covers album.  Songs include a James Brown medley, plus songs from Aretha Franklin, the Watts 103rd Street Band, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye songs….  I'll be working it next year.

On the subject of tradition, soul, and—of course--cool, long time San Francisco photographer Bruce Steinberg’s set up a virtual photo gallery of his classic photos of Tower of Power, plus he has links to artists he's shot, including Janis Joplin—some photos that you'll recognize.  He's shot Sly, Larry Graham, the Pointer Sisters, Herbie Hancock, The Headhunters, Eddie Henderson and Tony Williams; John Lee Hooker, Sons of Champlin, Papa John Creach, Elvin Bishop, and Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers.  

http://www.brucesteinberggallery.com

Here are dates for Tower of Power through the end of the year.  As local shows are added, I'll be letting folks in those areas know.

October 5th, 6th, 7th:  SUNCOAST HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS
October 12: HOUSE OF BLUES, ATLANTIC CITY
October 13: TOAD'S PLACE, RICHMOND, VA
October 14:  THE BIRCHMERE, ALEXANDRIA, VA
October 15:  RAMS HEAD, ANNAPOLIS, MD
October 17:  THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, RIDGEFIELD, CT
October 18:  COUNT BASIE THEATRE, RED BANK, NJ
October 19, 20: MOHEGAN SUN CASINO’S WOLF DEN, UNCASVILLE, CT
October 22: CENTRE SQUARE, KITCHENER, ONTARIO
October 23:  ROSE THEATER, BRAMPTON, ONTARIO
October 24:  BROCK UNIVERSITY, ST. CATHERINES, ONTARIO
October 25:  RIVER RUN CENTER, GUELPH, ONTARIO
October 26:  LIVING ARTS CENTER, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO
October 27:  OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, OAKVILLE, ONTARIO
October 29:  MARKHAM THEATRE ANTHONY ROMAN CENTRE, MARKHAM, ONTARIO
November 30:  MAMITAS BEACH, PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
December 7:  RED ROBINSON THEATER, COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA
December 13 thru 16:  JAZZ ALLEY, SEATTLE, WA
 
http://www.towerofpower.com
Posted by at

!!!!!STRATOSPHEERIUS & JOE DENINZON news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STRATOSPHEERIUS is singer/violinist/mandolinist Joe Deninzon, guitarist Mack Price, bassist Bob Bowen, and drummer Lucianna Padmore.  In honor of Yom Kippur, the group is making “Heavy Shtettle Part II:  Heavier Shtettle" available as a free download at http://www.myspace.com/stratospheerius.  “Heavier Shtettle” is a wild violin/guitar instrumental jam that Joe wrote with Alex Skolnick, who you know from the Alex Skolnick Trio, Testament and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
 
The group had some excellent action this summer, with gigs, airplay on 50 radio stations, and solid write ups from the media, including Blogcritics’ Jon Sobel: “An interesting and spirited journey into outrageous creativity,” Cashbox’s Justin Scro: “taking the listener by the hand and whipping them around an Alice In Wonderland like journey of musical exploration” and PROGSHEET’S Jon Wilcox: “Joe Deninzon showing some vocal chops in addition to his Herculean violin skills.” Robert Silverstein's new write up in 21ST CENTURY GUITAR, “Deninzon really cuts loose are reminiscent of the spirited late ‘70s albums of Jean Luc Ponty with guitarist Peter Maunu." Even drummer Luciana Padmore's received some long-awaited media attention, sitting in with Joe on radio interviews, and offering her opinion about Stewart Copeland's playing for DRUM!  Magazine.  (Stratospheerius covers the Police's “Driven to Tears” on HEADSPACE.)
 
We're continuing promotion for the group, with tour dates in the Mid West and New England.  More dates for the Mid West tour are going to be filled in.  I'll let the locals know, plus feel free to visit the group's web siteweb site at www.stratospheerius.com.

September 20:  DOCKSIDER, ERIE, PA
September 21:  STERLING STAGE AMPHITHEATRE, HANNIBAL, NY
September 22:  BEARDSLEE CASTLE, LITTLE FALLS, NY
October 5 & 6: HARVEST FEST, STARKS, ME
October 6: RAY KELLY’S PUB, BRIDGEPORT, CT
October 9: GRAPE STREET PUB, PHILADELPHIA, PA
October 10:  JOHNNY DS, BOSTON/SOMERVILLE, MA
October 23: CLUB MIDWAY, NEW YORK, NY
November 7:  BEACHLAND TAVERN, CLEVELAND, OH (w/Jann Klose)
November 8:  GLOBAL THURSDAY, ARAB AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, DEARBORN, MI
November 9: TBA: YOUNGSTOWN, OH (w/Jann Klose)
November 10: CAROL’S SILVER DOLLAR, JAMESTOWN, NY
November 15: THE UNDERSCORE, NEW YORK, NY  (w/Lewd Buddha)

Joe Deninzon has a few activities outside of Stratospheerius.  This past June he played a black tie benefit for the environment, that was attended by both Ed Begley and Laura Bush.  Joe kept asking Begley questions about the alternative energy car that the actor used to drive cross-country.  After this benefit, he joined Luciana, Mack and Bob to play a pro marijuana rally in Maine!

Now Joe is also working on new movie soundtracks for the same producers of WHAT'S UP SCARLET, which he did with guitarist John LaBarbera.  Their song, “Sun Goes Down” from the movie was a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest two years ago. WHAT'S UP SCARLET's premiere was on September 14 in Los Angeles. It will be shown again.  Get on the media list at www.whatsupscarletmovie.com.

For the past eight Septembers, Joe's supported harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio at the Grand Canyon Fest in Grand Canyon, Colorado.  There, Hess also teaching music to Navajo kids.  This past year Joe and songwriter Chris Millaterri decided to teach eight of the children some rock and roll songs.  So they're developing their own "School of Rock"-like program, with two days of rehearsals and a real fun time.

http://www.joedeninzon.com
http://www.stratospheerius.com
http://www.myspace.com/stratospheerius
Posted by at

UPDATES ON MY FRIENDS AND ME!

 My book, PAWS FOR THOUGHT: HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR CAT IS THINKING is available via mail order via catloversclub.co.uk.  By Christmas it will be in the stores.  I haven't yet received media copies of the book, but will only make them available to folks who have definite review assignments, as I'm receiving limited copies now.  In time the book will be available in the States…  
http://www.catloversclub.co.uk

**
Roberta Piket is a jazz keyboardist, who Alex Skolnick turned me onto.  She has a new album, LOVE AND BEAUTY.  She's created a number of big band arrangements, and two of the album's compositions are being performed by the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO).  In November, she'll be playing west coast dates.  On September 24, Roberta's work, FIVE POEMS BY NABOKOV will be performed at the 21st Century Schizoid Music series, curated by Frank Oteri at the American Music Center.    
 http://www.robertajazz.com.
**
Roberta introduced me to Don Henke, who was a great jazz writer.  Every week I received show and CD notices from Don.  He—even—helped promote Roberta, Stratospheerius, and Alex Skolnick to various jazz fans.  I recently learned that he passed on September 14 from a brief, but acute illness.  His family is taking donations—in Don Henke’s name--to the Seedling Foundation to support Arts Programs at Stivers High School in Dayton. Donations can be sent to PO Box 1858, Dayton, OH 45401-1858.
 
**
Dan Berggren has two new albums. One is a group called the Jamcrackers and the other is a solo CD, FRESH TERRITORY.  Both albums feature an excellent song about using wind power as opposed to oil.  It's got a twist on gospel lyrics, and is called “Power From Above.”  
http://www.berggrenfolk.com.
**

SKOPE Magazine is looking for volunteer writers, who want to review Cds and DVDs.  The magazine's goal is to review every CD and DVD it receives, and it's now become a bimonthly publication in print and on the web.

Right now this position is UNPAID but that will not be like that forever. We just want to get the ball rolling first.

If you are interested please e-mail Mike Freedman at mfriedman@skopemagazine.com
Tell him your name, mailing address, phone number and best e-mail contact, and—also in two or three sentences—why you love music like SKOPE does!
http://www.skopemagazine.com
Posted by at

SERENITY HOUSE CD



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Mackie
Cell# 215-432-4510
Fax# 215-538-7775
E-mail: madferret3@msn.com

ANNIE HASLAM, NUCLEAR PHYSICIST?
(Singer demonstrates the power of humanity, using the inspiration from the space program for Serenity House fundraiser)


Former Renaissance singer Annie Haslam, and her new friends, Think of 3 guitarist Kevin Mackie, and singer-songwriter Steve Pullara joined forces to create a four and a half minute video to help build awareness for a new SERENITY HOUSE CD.

The video, which was filmed by artsyvideo's Joe Dinato can be seen at
the web site: www.myspace.com/serenityhousecd.

But the video offers a unique take, because the new headquarters of East Coast Recording Company's studio is a former training center for astronauts, including Alan Shepherd, Buzz Aldrin, John Glenn, and Neil Armstrong.  "We moved in and began fixing up the new studio, and started finding all kinds of reports and research materials about space training from the early 1960s," says Kevin Mackie, who co-owns the studio with Jim Cavero, and Don and Barb Donapel. In addition, the recording specialists also discovered extraordinary echo in one room.  "This was a centrifuge," says Mackie.  "This is where the astronauts trained and tested for their future space flights"

Realizing the spirit of the space program reflected humankind's unlimited potential, it was just a small step to tie in the creative fulfillment that Kevin, Annie, and Steve discovered as they created the fundraising album, called SERENITY HOUSE.  The CD's purpose is to raise funds for a hospice to be built called Serenity House Hospice Support of Doylestown, PA.

Serenity House is a volunteer organization providing physical, emotional and spiritual support, without cost, to those incurably ill members of our community and nurtures those who love them. The capital campaign will begin in the near future and, once the funds are raised, the construction will begin.

Initially Kevin started the project a year ago, and--in the past five months--the whole project came together with songs donated from a pretty impressive list of artists: ASIA, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Pat DiNizio (The Smithereens), Robert Hazard, Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge), Think Of 3, The Luck Brothers, Jann Klose, Sterling Koch (V.I.H.), Dave Renz with Bob Miles and Steve Pullara.

This CD was made possible because of caring donations from sponsors: Shop Rite of Warminster (owned and operated by the Brown Family) and The Albin Family Foundation.

The public can also take a small step and purchase the CD at http:/www.myspace.com/serenityhousecd.  The more sales, the more giant the leap and success for building the Serenity House of Doylestown, PA.

http://www.myspace.com/serenityhousecd
 
HERE'S AN INTENSIVE STORY ON THE MAKING OF THE SERENITY HOUSE CD:
http://progrocktv1000.blogspot.com/2007/09/prog-artists-jethro-tull-annie-haslam.html

Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)