Bios

Landers Pierce

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Bio

40 years experience as a percussionist in the music and entertainment business. I came down with the theater bug, but music was always throughout the house growing up, I started playing percussion in NYC then moved out to Los Angeles working at Merrill Lynch and and Qwest Records under the direction of Robert Gooding. I was then asked to assemble a contemporary jazz group (Himalaya), signed an independent deal, and toured throughout the country. That model for the record industry, along with radio has changed which led me to explore other entities of the entertainment business, such as tour marketing, and the marketing of a music artists.

The first artist that I worked with was PRINCE under the direction of Billy Sparks and Charles Debow. 1994 - 2004. Other artists Marcus Miller, Destiny’s Child, Boyz II Men, Janet Jackson, Najee, and Jesse Johnson just to name a few. As a consultant For “Artist For America” (BackBlocks Management) Director of Tour Marketing Support working with talent such as Akon, Pit Bull, Solange and Jamie Foxx. As a Vibe Manager all facets from concert management relationships between arena staff, artist management, sponsorships for the main event and after party events. Transitioned into a content provider and management developing, writing, producing content for TV Movies and deciding what content would be a fit for respected distribution platforms.

Morris Beeks

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Bio

Singer, songwriter and musical director; Morris does it all. The Chicago jazz scene has known Morris Beeks as an excellent vocalist and keyboardist. His Chicago experiences have led him to perform with Leroy Hudson, Chaka Khan, Tyrone Davis, Otis Clay, Mahalia Jackson and Grammy Nominated Blinddog Smokin' for the Best Blues Album with Bobby Rush (feat. Dr. John) just to name a few. As one of the main writers of Himalaya, you will find a sensative and soulful touch to his material.

Jeffery B. Suttles

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Bio

Jeffery B Suttles - Time To Suttledown The explosive style of drummer Jeffery B. Suttles has been the soulful energizer for artists as diverse as Donny Osmond, En Vogue, Chante Moore, Sheena Easton and, most notably, Taylor Dayne. He appeared in the film “Coming to America” and has worked with everybody from Quincy Jones to Teena Marie. His debut CD, ‘Time to SuttleDown’ featuring the all-star lineup of Patrice Rushen, Ronnie Garrett, Eddie Miller, Alex Al, Larry Kimbel and Andrea Delano was released in 2006 but, inexplicably, slipped through the Smooth Jazz Therapy net. However this wonderful collection that includes nine of Suttles original compositions plus one excellent cover deserves some belated attention. It’s quite simply one of the best contemporary jazz CD’s of recent times. The opening cut, the sensational horn driven ‘A Run In The Park’, has an infectious melody and leaves no doubt that Suttles knows his smooth jazz. In fact Suttles repeatedly proves this throughout. The mellow ‘Ride Above The Clouds’ is wonderfully constructed around the synthesizer and keys of Monty Seward while ‘From The Other Side Of The Canyon’ is a slice of ‘in the pocket’ mid tempo contemporary jazz that features cool sax from Alexander. The albums only cover, the Taylor Dayne hit ‘I’ll Always Love You’ is replete with the rhythm and melody that categorizes the best in smooth jazz and another fine example of the genre comes courtesy of ‘The Sunrise’. This time its Bill Steinway on keys that grabs the attention and his contribution is also significant on one of the albums standout tracks, the seductive ‘Sweet Pleasures’. Moody in the extreme and anchored by Alex Al on bass it has haunting flute from Donald Hayes at its centre, an outstanding solo from Steinway and some serious percussion from Rafael Padilla. Andre Delano steps up on sax for the rhythmic ‘In A Short Time’ and, injecting a smoky vibe that is reminiscent of Tom Scott, also features on ‘The Cheetah’. This is a track that shows off Suttles funkier side yet whatever the mood ‘Time to SuttleDown’ is all about the rhythm. The title cut is a case in point where, driven relentlessly on by the guitars of Wali Ali and Torrie Ruffin and held down by Suttles on drums, the tune is liberated first by an incredible vibe solo from Ndugu Chancler then by the sultry jazz piano of Patrice Rushen. It’s another of the albums many standouts but even better is ‘Springtime Breeze’. With Suttles and Padilla again generating some massively urgent percussion and an outstanding Rhodes solo from Rushen the result is almost indescribably good. ‘Time to SuttleDown’ is a must for any lover of the contemporary jazz scene. With every track Suttles makes a great statement on the drums and shows that as well as being one of the best sidemen around he can shine just as brightly as a leader, arranger and composer.

Paul Weber

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Bio

Paul has been performing over the last 40 years as both a back up musician and as a front man for the Los Angeles based jazz/funk/fusion band Himalaya, performing all original material. Playing tenor, alto, and soprano sax, Paul has served in the back up bands for such artists as BB King, Ollie Woodson of Temptations fame, Linda Hopkins, Gerald Brown of Shalimar fame, blues artists Lightnin’ Hopkins, Finis Tasby, and Coco Montoya, and Sal Rodriguez of War, among others. Paul got his start after moving to Los Angeles with various touring and recording acts at the height of the Disco era. His forte is live performance, although he has participated in numerous recordings and in TV show bands, and national tours. His appearances with the band Himalaya highlighted numerous jazz festivals from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay area. To keep things moving, Paul has been in the insurance industry for 40 years as a way of making sure things are straight for his family, especially his daughter (who Paul got to play clarinet) and his two grandsons, one of which (the 7 year old) he encouraged to study piano. To let off steam, Paul also plays with his classic car collection that includes a ’55 Chevy, a ‘65 Malibu, and a ’66 Chevelle. So the Chevy man is ready to get out there to pay for that gas!

Keith Andrew

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KEITH ANDREW

If you’ve followed the career of SF Bay Area-based guitarist Keith Andrew, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a free-spirited approach in his music and the titles of his projects--especially among his recent works. Naturally taking advantage of consumer tastes that, today, demand a more eclectic and diverse output, Andrew is playing to his strengths and celebrating his passion for life. This has never been more apparent than on his latest radio single Cielo, (Spanish for “Sky”), his Innervision Records label debut and the new single from his forthcoming album Soul Expedition. Enlisting the help of hit guitarist and composer/producer Chris Standring, Keith weaves his way through a sultry mix of fiery electric guitar lines (including a tasty solo from Standring), and a flourish of acoustic picking set amongst a bed of spicy Latin rhythms and textures. True to its name, Cielo invokes the sky's spacious and often turbulent and lively beauty!

“A dynamic guitarist with an electrifying stage presence and a soft spot for the blues and world music - but with a smooth jazz base.”

— Brian Soergel - Jazz Journalist

Cielo comes on the heels of Keith’s 2018 hit single release Higher Ground/Funky Good Time -- the fusion of the Stevie Wonder and James Brown classics. Keith teamed up with Darryl Walker--master vocalist, saxophonist, and a vital member of the contemporary jazz group, East Bay Soul.

Keith is an avid outdoorsman and when he’s not touring nationally or performing at local wineries in Sonoma and Napa, he loves hiking, scampering on rocks and mountain biking. Passionate about exploring new cultures, Keith has traveled to Thailand and Cambodia, where they explored the 12th Century Buddhist and Hindu Ruins that are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. More recently, hiked a 15,000-foot mountain near Quito, Ecuador and visited Peru, trekking around the incredible Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Andrew’s previous album Adventurous Soul (2014)--again a reference to his wanderlust personality--including six tracks produced by top genre hitmaker and fellow guitarist Nils and others co-produced by Andrew with Nils. Adventurous Soul draws on Keith’s foundational love for blues, rock, jazz, and fusion while also exploring Latin and world music. Among the 11 originals (mostly penned by Andrew, Nils or a collaboration of the two) are explosive re-imaginings of R&B classics by The Isley Brothers (“Work To Do”) and James Brown (“Pass The Peas”). Artists on the project include Jessy J, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Lorber, Johnny Britt, and late drummer Ricky Lawson. Other releases include Blue Funky Blue (2010), whose single Pookie’s Groove Revisited received significant contemporary jazz airplay and Contemplation (2007).

FROM THE BEGINNING

Originally from Baltimore, Keith began playing guitar at 10 years old and as teenager moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was exposed to the rich and diverse SF music scene. His musical passions eventually led him to Los Angeles, where he had the opportunity to study with some of the world’s greatest jazz and contemporary guitarists, including Robben Ford, Joe Pass, Buzz Fieten, Scott Henderson and Joe Diorio.

While attending college in Los Angeles, Keith was a featured soloist with the Chaffey College Jazz Ensemble, earning several awards for outstanding musicianship from the National Association of Jazz Educators. He later went on to attend the world-renowned Guitar Institute of Technology. Graduating at the top of his class, he subsequently joined the faculty as a staff instructor. Shortly after graduating from the Guitar Institute, Keith teamed with keyboardist and composer Morris Beeks, with whom he formed the jazz/R&B band Himalaya. The Himalaya sound was soon defined by Keith's unique compositions, which made them one of the most popular and dynamic groups on the L.A. circuit. Himalaya’s debut album Friend to Friend received national airplay. Shortly thereafter, they embarked on a nationwide tour with notable appearances at the Santa Barbara Jazz Festival as well as major nightclubs and venues in New York, Washington D.C., Memphis and San Diego.

Since moving back to the Bay Area, Keith’s style has gravitated towards world jazz fusion. His taste for world music was also inspired by performing at some of the top bay area venues with the popular South African band Zulu Spear. It was with that band the he teamed up with two great musicians from Austin Texas, multi-instrumentalists and producers, Cecil (P-Nut) Daniels and Carlton Lowe, who have been at the core of many of Keith's SF based recording and live performance projects. They have also formed the popular groups Sound Minds and P-Nut and The Apocalypse.

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Erick Burdette

2020-12-04T16:23:49+00:00

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