This just in from Mile High Productions.
THE SOUL OF JOHN BLACK
"BLACK JOHN"
“Retro soul tinged in country, funk and blues.” – Rolling Stone Magazine
"To say that Bigham is heir to multiple traditions is a major understatement...He seamlessly merges influences and eras, and the results can be heard on his fine new album Black John...The groove is, indeed, the thing. It's relentless...what matters is the soul and funk, and Bigham brings it on every track. He's a fine singer, too, throwing in Godfather of Soul grunts and gospel melismas and pleading, sexually-charged asides that are worthy of Al Green."
– Paste Magazine Online
“Best New Artist Debut”
(2008 Blues Music Awards Nominee)
The Soul of John Black is John “JB” Bigham, an adventurous artist who isn’t afraid to take risks while pursuing his musical vision. His stage moniker is a name shrouded with an element of darkness and mystery, inspired by the 1976 cult film “J.D.’s Revenge.” JB declares, “I tend to like artists who lean toward the shadows and walk the edge and wanted my music to reflect that.” He draws his inspiration from blues and soul pioneers of the past and stands as a true testament to the dynamic beauty and freedom of musical expression, which he strips down to the core – guitar, voice and exposed human emotion conveyed in sparse, soulfully captivating performances wrought with raw, spontaneous power.
JB’s musical history boasts an impressive resume. He’s written songs for Miles Davis and played percussion in the Davis group. His track “Jilli” is featured on the trumpeter’s last studio album “Amandla,” and he appeared on the Davis DVD, “Live in Paris,” recorded at the 10th Paris Jazz Festival. Bigham also played guitar and keyboard for the pioneering rock-funk-ska band Fishbone for eight years, contributing songs, guitars, keyboards, background vocals and production expertise to several of their albums, and later toured as a side man and played on sessions with artists as varied as Eminem, Dr. Dré, Rosey, Joi, Nikka Costa, Bruce Hornsby and Everlast.
The Soul of John Black is a celebration of the African American musical heritage. On “Black John,” JB masterfully combines soul, gospel, funk and hip-hop, while tracing its roots all the way back to its humble origins - the blues. JB infuses his uniquely crafted music with contemporary urban rhythms and hauntingly earthy acoustic slide guitar which at once pays tribute to a bygone era of such legendary figures as Leadbelly, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, while boldly crossing over into new innovative territories and sonic frontiers. Backed by notable musicians Adam McDougal on keys (Black Crowes, Macy Gray, Maroon 5, Nikka Costa), Oliver Charles on drums (Ben Harper, Rhythm Roots All-Stars), Scott Seiver on drums (Nikka Costa, Inara George), Jake Najor on drums (Carl Denson, Connie Price, Breakestra), Shawn Davis on bass (Beck, Nikka Costa), Davey Chegwidden on percussion (Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Bitter Sweet, Ghost Face Killer, Big Daddy Kane), and Bill Botrell on 2nd guitar (Grammy winning producer for Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, and many others), The Soul of John Black has reached a new plateau; transcending the crossroads and arriving upon an unexplored intersection on the aural highway. It’s soul music for a whole new generation.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
05/08/09: Memphis, TN - Delta Groove Blues Awards Show
05/09/09: Madison, IA - Simply The Blues Festival
07/22-25/09: Cognac, France - Cognac Blues Passions Festival
08/09/09: Wheeling, WV - Heritage Music Flues Festival
08/15-16/09: Salmon Arm, BC - Roots & Blues Festival
“I love the sexy, sultry sound of John Black. He is a hidden treasure of Los Angeles.” - Ariana Morgenstern, KCRW - Los Angeles, CA (Producer of Morning Becomes Eclectic / Curator of Today's Top Tune)
“Was pleased to see the new Soul of John Black land on my desk. The day it got here, I slapped it on the air for a test. Betty Jean sounds great, and I am looking forward to finding other great gems on this disc.” - Diane Michaels, KPND - Spokane, WA (PD/MD)
Early reaction to The Soul of John Black has been overwhelmingly positive! Southern California’s leading NPR affiliate KCRW added the new single three weeks early! Taken from the forthcoming album "Black John," the first single "Betty Jean" pays tribute to Betty Davis, the funk-rock singer and former wife of Miles Davis. The song was added to KCRW’s rotation on January 1st and featured on their website on "Today’s Top Tunes." CLICK TO VIEW MORE! JB also recently graced the airwaves here in Southern California on KPCC 89.3 FM where he performed songs from his brand new release "Black John" on Off-Ramp, a weekly show hosted by radio veteran John Rabe. The podcast is currently available in the archive section on the station’s website. CLICK TO LISTEN. JB also blessed the airwaves of another Southern California station, KPFK, where he performed an acoustic set of songs from "Black John" and was interviewed on the show Global Village.
And for all you fans who stay tuned through the radio waves, you can show your support by calling into all the Radio stations and requesting that they play the new The Soul of John Black's single, "Betty Jean" from his album "Black John". Click here for a link to radio stations serviced by Eclecto Groove Records! Help saturate the radio waves with the sounds of The Soul of John Black!
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