61 North is a high-energy rock band based out of southern New Jersey. Their unique sound is derived from a variety of influences including blues, classic rock, jazz, funk, and modern jam music. The band takes pride in an ever-growing arsenal of potent original song that is the driving force of their art. Tasteful improvisation and musicianship combined with powerful stage presence are what make 61 North an incredible live experience.
With the release of their debut record On the Road in December 2008, 61 North continues to grow as an up-and-coming act in the Delaware Valley music scene. Other accomplishments include honors from radio station 93.7 WSTW granting them a Homey award for best rock song in 2008-2009 with "Loaded Gun". In addition to constantly evolving new music, part of the band's mission involves engaging in community and charity based service. October 2008 marked their first annual 61 North Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury, a benefit concert developed and organized by the group to help bring funding to those with spinal cord injuries. With this they were able to raise over $4,000 to split between two close organizations to their cause; The Magee Rehab Hospital and Adam Taliaferro Foundation.
Spinal Cord Injury is a topic which hits very close to home for the group. In 2004, member Ryan "Gooch" Nelson was in a horrible car accident nearly taking his life and leaving him a quadriplegic. After 6 months of rehab at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, he was able to return home, though stripped of his ability to play guitar. About two years after the accident, Gooch's grandfather bought him an electric guitar for slide, a style previously foreign to him in the realm of guitar. Soon after Gooch returned home, Brian LaPann, childhood friend and graduate of the University of Delaware's music program focused on classical guitar, began to come over and play blues standards as well as his original songs with Gooch while helping to develop his abilities. With paralysis in his hands, Gooch naturally developed a one of a kind slide technique using a custom blown thumb slide on the left hand and plastic thumb pick on the right. He began to bring out years of rhythmic focus from his acoustic days and started creating memorable slide riffs and melodies on his characteristic Les Paul. The two began to write songs together and rework older compositions of Brian's for slide guitar, bringing a totally new dynamic to the sound. Brian's intense blues infused, rock n' roll driven guitar work was refined and developed immensely as the two spent more days of the week than not experimenting and practicing their craft. They started to frequent coffee houses locally, playing under the name 61 North as a duo. The concept of their name and sound came from realizing the blues as their starting point; the heart of the music, while fusing rock, funk and jazz influences into their highly original and progressive musical direction.
Bass player Bob Comfort, also a University of Delaware student, has held a strong hand in diversifying the band's funk, jam and roots rock aspect of their sound. Comfort's bold approach to the bass guitar moves from aggressive slapping to attentive and melodic finger style lines that wrap the music in a cocoon of confident and colorful style. Comfort and LaPann met in 2006 at University of Delaware when Comfort's rock trio adopted LaPann as their front man for his distinctively powerful vocals and songwriting talent. The group dubbed Riverside, disbanded only six months after their incubation, though the Comfort/LaPann chemistry would soon be carried into 61 North after an epic jam at the Nelson household. Drummer Joe Bross has been instrumental in bringing the band's more powerful and driving rhythms into form. After getting the call to join the band in 2007, Bross dropped everything and moved from his residence at the University of North Florida to come back to South Jersey and focus on music with the group. Bross's resume includes extensive experience in drum corp. as well as the honor of being named drummer of the year at UNF. He is currently studying at Rowan University while continuing to develop his own sound within the group. This quartet has found its voice as 61 North.
Booking Inquiries
61northband@gmail.com
Brian LaPann
856.217.2893
Ryan "Gooch" Nelson
609.674.4974
..realeditorbest profile toolsrealeditorbest profile tools
..
|
..