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BIOS:
BOBBY
WATSON |
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BOBBY WATSON-Bass
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, has earned a reputation over the past decade as one of the finest bass players in todays music landscape.A member of the original and legendary RUFUS, Bobby helped create that unmistakable and distinguished sound which was witness to a time when Bands were creating the Sound - not necessarily the producers or the industry!! His unique style of playing (and composing), developed while working as a top session musician for Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Russ Titelman and other such icons, Bobby is the solid rock in every formation, unmistakably imprinting a rooted foundation onto the bandstand or the studio. One of the most naturally MUSICAL sounding bassists I've worked with in the past, Bobby recently joined BRENDA RUSSELL's band for several key events across the globe, supporting her brandnew release: "PARIS RAIN". Jimmy Jam of Jam & Lewis puts it this way: "When Bobby Watson sat in on the bass, he really raised everyone else's playing. Actually, he tore the s... up, he really anchored the band......" Below I've listed some of Bobby's credentials, however, this is just about 20% of what I know has been documented about him, (especially about his 8 year JAPAN experience) IT's JUST TOO EXTENSIVE!!!
http://profile.myspace.com |
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John JR Robinson-Drums
JR has become the most recorded drummer in
history, even surpassing the great Hal Blaine. Some
of the hits are: We Are The World, Lionel Richie's All Night Long, The Pointer Sisters' I'm So Excited and Slow Hand, David Lee Roth's I'm Just A Gigolo and California Girls, Steve Winwood's Higher Love and Back In The Highlife, Madonna's Express Yourself; Michael Jackson's Off The Wall, Bad and his upcoming CD, Natalie Cole's new CD Stardust, Eric Clapton's Change The World, Quincy Jones' The Dude, Q's Jook Joint and From Q With Love, to name a few. And in 1983, JR won a Grammy with Rufus and
Chaka Khan for Ain't Nobody.
http://www.johnjrrobinson.com |
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Larry Dunn-Keys
Larry was keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire. Dunn, along with the other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Dunn's second solo album will also soon be released, and this will be preceded by a single called "Finally", with the collaboration of Beloyd Taylor and James Ingram.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Dunn |
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Michael Thompson-Guitars
In 2001, Michael received a call from producer Mutt Lange to work on his wife, Shania Twain’s, new album “Up!”. Michael had long admired Mutt as one of his favorite producers and it was a huge thrill to be asked to contribute to that project. Also in 2001, Michael received the “Distinguished Alumni” award from The Berklee College of Music commemorating his contributions to the music industry. That year, Berklee Today, the schools magazine, featured a cover story on Michael entitled Platinum Touch. Michael has been working on his album MT Speaks for four years and in October 2005 will release the long-awaited follow-up to The World According to M.T. The all-instrumental album features artists such as Stanley Clarke, Vinny Coliauta, Nathan East, and newcomers Nathanial Morton (drums) and Sean Halley (bass).
http://michaelthompson.cc/ |
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Niki Haris-Vocals
Niki Haris, daughter of Grammy nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, grew up in Middle America, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Although her career has focused on singing and dancing, choreography and acting are also a part of her immense career.
This talented artist leaves no stone unturned, and with 18 years of recording & touring with Madonna, Niki was once again called on the road for her Drowned World Tour 2002 as well as being featured in her Grammy nominated music video Music. All this while promoting her own tour and smash single, Dancefloor remixed by DJ/Producer Junior Vasquez. After completing 2 tours back to back Niki quickly went into the studio to record her new dance CD Total Love as well as a new live
jazz record Live in Switzerland recorded in Zurich,
Switzerland and a live gospel record The Beginning Recorded with John Barnes at Innersound studios.
Niki also continues to record new product and create
new avenues to show her many diverse musical colors,
in 2005 she has completed another Gospel CD Live at Agape, A Jazz CD Live in Bern Switzerland, Toured Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Scotland) with her Jazz Quartet, Live Dates as Featured Vocalist with RUFUS (whos former feature vocalist was Chaka Khan),
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HAWK
WOLINSKI |
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Hawk Wolinski-Keys
David J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan. Wolinski grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and in the late 1960s was a member of the bands Shadows of Knight and Bangor Flying Circus. When the latter band broke up he helped form the band Madura, which was produced by fellow Chicagoan James William Guercio. Guercio used Madura in his 1973 film Electra Glide in Blue; Wolinksi also had a small acting role.
In the late 1970s Wolinski joined Rufus as a keyboardist and songwriter. He co-wrote their songs "Hollywood," "Street Player" (later covered by Chicago), and "Everlasting Love". He also wrote lead singer Chaka Khan's 1983 hit single "Ain't Nobody," which reached
#1 on the US R&B chart. Wolinski has worked with numerous other artists as musician, songwriter or producer, including The Bee Gees, Glenn Frey,
Michael Jackson, Beverley Knight, Stephanie Mills,
and Minnie Riperton. |
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