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http://jcsmithband.com/

J. C. Smith,winner of the 2012 Metro Newspapers Best Of Silicon Valley “Best Original/local Band”, and 2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award winner is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. J. C. attacks the Blues as if he is being guided by the masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Johnnie Guitar Watson. The J. C. Smith Band’s current release “Defining Cool” is by far the best recording to date. Listed for the 52nd Grammy Awards for “Best Contemporary Blues CD,” it entered the Living Blues Radio Charts at #16 and was a “Pick to Click” on XM Radio. After 20 weeks on the Roots Report, the CD climbed the charts as high as #25 nationally. In 2004, Smith released “That’s What I’m Talk’n ‘Bout,” co-produced by Grammy Award Nominee Joanna Connor. This CD shows masterful songwriting, outstanding arrangements, and traditional quality. It features a host of Chicago players including Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who worked with the Muddy Waters Band for twenty years. 2001 marked the release of Smith’s first effort “Midnight Creeper” which brought him international attention. Smith has toured throughout the United States, Eastern Europe, Mexico,South America,and Russia,to sell out crowds. Smith has work with and shared the stage with notable artist such as Hubert Sumlin, B,B, King, Buddy Guy, Buddy Miles, Son Seals Willie Bigeyes Smith, Pinetop Perkins and many more. He is also known as radio personality Johnnie Cozmik on KKUP F.M. J. C. feels that his goal in life is “To keep the Blues alive and take the message to the people.”

Instrumentation

Robert “Jay” Green (Bass). Jay joined the group with a very short notice yet rose to the challenge. Four days after accepting the offer from the band, he played a club date that served as a rehearsal, then three days later he was on tour in Southern California which included two performances at the NAMM show in Anaheim.

Abraham Vasquez (Sax) is one of the hardest working horn men in the Bay Area. His masterful solos and arrangements bring you back to the days of Louis Jordan, and Sam Butera. Vasquez and Smith first teamed up in the late 80’s to form The Back To Back Blues Band. Vasquez has worked with the likes of Tommy Castro, Hall and Oates, Dr. John, and more.

Tommy Maitland (Trumpet) formally with Dub Nation and KFJC Radio.

Gene Reynolds (Trombone) formally with Gregarious Movement.

Todd Reid (keys) is an all around pro. He has worked with as music directector with a host of groups. He delivers a one two punch that will rock your socks off…

Donnie Green (drummer) toured Europe seven times before joining the JC Smith Band. Drumming professionally since the age of 12, you’ve got to hear this solid funk and blues drummer to believe him. He is as exciting to watch as well as listen to because of his style and showmanship.

This band of seasoned players is a true Blues band with one goal in mind…keeping the Blues alive.

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Andre Thierry, a name highly regarded amongst industry figures and fans throughout the music scene. True to his culture and love of music, he has crafted a career well beyond his years as an artist. Andre’s French Creole heritage is deeply rooted in Louisiana although he was born and raised in Northern California. At a very young age, he embarked on a path with distinct knowledge and extraordinary talents.

Andre grew up experiencing the French Creole (La-La) dances his grandparents held at their church parish, St. Mark’s Catholic Church. The best Zydeco musicians Louisiana had to offer traveled to California to play at these dances. The exposure allowed him to develop his love for traditional French Creole music. By age twelve, Andre formed his own band, “Zydeco Magic”. Self taught, Andre’s repertoire grew by leaps and bounds as he was regularly invited to play with visiting bands, such as the late John Delafose and many local Zydeco and Cajun bands, including the late Danny Poullard (California Cajun Orchestra).

Now, in his 30’s, he has already been deemed a legend. There is widespread agreement that he is an exceptional, multi-dimensional musician who has a finely honed ability to merge his accordions with musical mastery.

The Washington Post called Andre “A master at pumping out fast, funky rhythms on an instrument not usually associated with earthy syncopation. A versatile student of the music, Thierry can’t be lumped into Zydeco’s old-school R&B-influenced camp or its nouveau, rap-inspired one: He and his band, lay down both soulful, traditional slow-dances and bottom-end-booming kinetic groovers.”

Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of Zydeco, considered the definitive book on the history of Zydeco music, wrote, “In America, great migrations produce great music. Just as Delta musicians took Highway 61 to Chicago and electrified their blues, so did the Creoles and Cajuns migrate to California and establish vital dance communities. Now the California scenes rival anything back home in Louisiana, and that’s due to players like Andre Thierry, a standard bearer for the new generation. Thierry is among the best of both the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, and he combines youthful vigor with a mature appreciation for his inherited tradition.”

Some of Andre’s most groundbreaking artistic works have resulted when awareness and experience from distant genres and unrelated forms collaborated through an evolution of French Creole, Zydeco and Accordion Soul. Undoubtedly, Andre’s style isn’t conventional, he and his accordions provide a signature sound by creating magnetic sonic landscapes. The rhythmic songs played drive an atmospheric blend, giving his band a powerful edge, naturally building a dedicated following through constant shows, touring and a string of recordings like “It’s About Time,” “A Whole Lotta Somthin” and “Are You Ready To Learn”.

Singing, song-writing and producing with a collective of artists, while their individual contributions are discernible, Thierry creates the transformative effects, leaving his musical imprints on records like “Live! At the Woodshop”, “Creole United, Non Jamais Fait” and “Creole United, Tu Kekchause A’ Korrek”.

In “Bouncin With The Blues” Thierry performs songs written or popularized by music legends that have inspired the acclaimed accordionist, featuring songs from Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Albert King and Clifton Chenier. Unforgettable performances with musicians Sammy Hagar (gritty hard Rocker) and David Hildago (influential Latin singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist) showcased fabulous fusion with Andre in his musical zone, pumpin genre bending sounds, breaking all accordion stereotypes.

The accordion defies all national and continental borders. Andre Thierry was the first American artist to perform in the Akkordeonale, International Festival (Program 2016). Representing the USA — Impelling Blues with Creole Roots, the accordion virtuoso celebrated with audiences touring Germany, delivering awe inspiring performances, coming together with musicians in a vivid interchange. Different as the cultural backgrounds were, so were the musical approaches and styles. The only real common language was music, creating a thrilling coexistence on stage.

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Forthcoming about his journey, Andre Thierry’s music creations are intoxicating and timeless. Enjoy the unfolding of this charismatic, rising artist as he vibrates Accordion Soul with stimulating beats, attracting any music lover to the dance floor!