Alexis P. Suter-vocals, Ray Grappone-drums, Jimmy Bennett-guitar, Vicki Bell-vocals,Glen Turner-vocals,Linda Pino-vocals, Peter Bennett-bass, Bruce Katz-some bad ass keys
Influences
God,Mrs. Carrie (mommy) Suter, Levon Helm, Soloman Burke, the Band, Muddy Waters, Ray Grappone, the whole Stax record cataloge, Vicki Bell, Little Sammy Davis, Ollabelle, Elvis Costello, Howlin' Wolf, Hubert Sumlin, Allan Touissant, B.B. King, Big Maybelle, Larry Cambell, Emmy Lou Harris, Ruth Brown, The Staples Singers, Pine Top Perkins, Steady Rollin' Bob Margoline, Jimmy V and the entire Levon Helm Band,Pat Metheny,Donny Hathaway,Barry White,Isley Brothers,Linda Pino,Greg Payne,Crown Heights Affair,War,Mandril,Two Tons of Fun,Heat Wave,Tha Pac,Miche Braden,Harold Smith,Rev.James Cleveland,Mississippi mass Choir,Debbie Hawkins,Andrea Suter(oldest sister,R.I.P),The guy who wrote the theme song to the peanuts,The Kinks,The Meters,La India,Credence Clearwater Revival,Baby Huey and the Baby Sitters, Mos Def,Glen Turner,Mr.Drayton(PS 20 music teacher R.I.P),Mr. Motley"All city high school chorus),Lolita Holloway,Cream,The Intruders,The Stylistics,Carmen McRae,Billy Preston,The Pointer Sisters,Blind Melon,Sister Sledge,The O'Jays,Queen,Tears for Fears,Vicki Bell,Ray Grappone,The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,Chuck Berry, Carl Carlton,Evelyn Champagne King,Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington,The natural and man made sounds of new york city,Otis Redding,Maze,Jefferson Airplane, Chaka Chan,Ray Charles,Slave,Ike Turner,Nona Hendrix,Sara dash,Pattie Labelle,Isssac Hayes,Crown Heights Affair,Joni Mitchell, Minnie Ripperton,Idzora Rhodes, Clinton Utterbach and the Utterbach Concert Ensemble, Frankie Beverly and Maze,Phillis Hyman,Joe Crocker, Simon and Garfunkle,DJ Rogers,James Brown, Gwen Fredricks, Tobacco Bad Kids, Sly and the Family Stone, plus all the great players and friends we have made playing at the Midnight Ramble, also Al Green, Wilson Picket, Music...love & light... their's just too many to list!
Sounds Like
MUSIC: THE NEWCOMER AND THE LEGEND
Alexis P. Suter receives assist from Levon Helm
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/29/06
BY RICHARD SKELLY
CORRESPONDENT
Any blues singer will tell you there's a close connection between the blues and gospel music.
Alexis P. Suter, an up-and-coming vocalist from Brooklyn, knows this. Suter was raised on gospel music and began singing in church as a 4-year-old with her mother's choir.
In February 2005, Brooklyn's Hipbone Records released Suter's debut album, "Shuga Fix." She's accompanied on the record by the same musicians who'll accompany her Saturday night at the Sugar Shack in Highlands: drummer Ray Grappone, backing singer Vicki Bell, bassist Peter Bennett and guitarist Jimmy Bennett. A newer addition to the band is keyboardist Bruce Katz, who was sent their way by former Band member drummer/singer Levon Helm.
Helm has gotten into Suter's corner in a big way: He features the Alexis P. Suter Band at his monthly Midnight Ramble sessions at his home studio in Woodstock, N.Y.
"He sees something in us and (we've) got to respect that," Suter said. "So we're grateful because we know that his knowledge of this business is worth more than anything you could purchase anywhere, from anybody."
Suter's "Shuga Fix" is an amalgamation of styles that includes the classic blues of "Teacher Man" and "Rollin' and Tumblin' " as well as touches of gospel, rap and house music grooves. Hipbone Records, founded by Grappone and Bell, primarily was a house music label before shifting gears in recent years to include blues-based releases from the Bennett Brothers and other New York area musicians.
Suter counts her mother, Carrie, and Ruth Brown among her biggest inspirations to become a singer.
"When I was very young I used to sneak and listen to the radio or watch Ruth Brown on TV, and that goes back as far as I can remember," Suter recalled, "and my mother is totally a gospel and hymns person. She's definitely not with jazz and blues, but she appreciates it, as long as it's about being creative.
"But I also have a lot of male influences, people like Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Cream and War," Suter said.
Her forthcoming CD/DVD on Levon Helm Studio Records should be out by December, Suter reckons, "and hopefully by this time next year, we will be a nationally known act and doing more blues festivals. We're learning as we go along. Levon is our shepherd and we are his flock."
Alexis P. Suter is a rising star on the roots, blues and soul scene. Her powerful bass/baritone voice, seasoned with raw emotion and a wide streak of attitude, has won the praise of greats from B.B. King to Levon Helm. "She is one of those wonderful spirits," said Helm. "She's got her arms around you. You can feel that."
On their latest CD, "Just Another Fool," Suter and her top-notch band take you on a musical journey of emotional, gut-busting blues and soul. The APS BAND penned nine original compositions for their new release, and "Imagination" by Gladys Knight and Big Maybelle's "Pretty Good Love" are cleverly covered. Special guests on "Just Another Fool" are keyboard wizards Bruce Katz, Benny Harrison and Ted Kooshian with Deep Singh on percussion. Band members Vicki Bell and Ray Grappone produced the CD.
A true vocal phenomenon, Suter has been astounding audiences up and down the east coast for the past few years, backed by her tight, soul-rocking ensemble. The band is anchored by Ray Grappone's funky beats and Peter Bennett on bass. Guitarist Jimmy Bennett plays stinging guitar, and soulful singers Vicki Bell, Glenn Turner and Linda Pino ramp up the intensity that has captured the attention of some of the best players around.
Regular performers at Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Sessions in Woodstock, NY, the band has also performed at festivals including the Pocono Blues Fest, Virginia Blues and Jazz Fest and the New York State Blues Fest. Along with Helm's band, they played sold-out shows at the Beacon Theater in New York City, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ and Central Park's Summerstage.
The APS Band's CD/DVD Live at The Midnight Ramble on Levon Helm Studios Records and their debut release, Shuga Fix on Hipbone Records, are still being enthusiastically received by the music community.
CONTACT INFO: Label: Hipbone Records - www.hipbonerecords.com Radio Promotion: Twin Vision - www.twinvision.net Artist Website - www.alexispsuter.com Bookings: Oceanside Talent - www.oceansidetalent.com Web Design: Tony LoBue - Email:tony@levonhelm.com
Track Listing: Climbin' On Up The Mountain Pretty Good Love Another Fool Do What You Do High Times Hole That I'm In Imagination Right On Time In The City Stars You Don't Know Me
ABOUT ALEXIS P. SUTER
Alexis P. Suters voice is a force of nature. Thunder rumbles, lightening bolts from the sky, sparks fly everywhere! Her live performances are all this and more. You will be moved immediately and you will be MOVING! When she sings the blues you know its genuine, you know shes been there. When she sings a tender ballad, you hear her heart. And when she rocks you, baby thats when you get your SHUGA FIX!
The Music Boxs John Metzger says Shuga Fix, the magnificent debut release from Alexis P. Suter, very well may be the perfect remedy for everything that currently ails contemporary R&B. Living Blues Magazine calls Shuga Fix fierce and fabulous. Although her career is relatively new, Alexis has already toured nationally and internationally, including radio and television performances and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues. As Peter Hay at Twin Vision puts it: Shes just that good!
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Alexis came from a strong musical background. Her mother was a music teacher and an accomplished singer who worked with notables such as Harry Belafonte, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and The Hall Johnson Choir. Her Mom would have Alexis sing in recitals and Gospel plays and it wasnt long before Alexis realized that it was music and sharing it with others that fed her soul.In the early 90s, Alexis
became a staple of underground garage and the first African American woman signed to Sony-Epic (Japan). Her legendary Club Shelter Anthem Slam Me Baby, distinguished her as a genuine underground star with penetrating vocals. For Sony she brought forth an EP titled Drums of Freedom, including the hit We Need Each Other.
Miss Suter solos with New Yorks acclaimed Illumination and Total Praise Gospel Choirs. Her debut CD with Hipbone Records is being widely received by the music community and Triple A Radio nationwide.
Alexis regularly performs live at the Levon Helm Midnight Ramble Sessions in Woodstock, NY. These live performances are not to be missed because her unprecedented, universal talent connects with the heart and soul of audiences everywhere. Her larger than life stage presence radiates with the power of a white-hot super nova to the farthest niche of performance space. She will soon be releasing a phenomenal CD/DVD recorded live at Levon Helm Studios from The Midnight Ramble Sessions. Keep your eyes and ears open. Shooting stars can only be seen if youre paying attention.
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
My choice is what i chose to do; and if I'm causin no harm, it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you chose to be; and if your causin no harm, then your alright with me. "
Very cool voice! Thanks for your friendship>and for inviting me to your space>please drop by anytime>leave a comment>leave an add>let's network for the sake of art. ~Tioga Dan
All IS well. How are you, with those bedroom eyes?
I'm going to be in Syracuse in August. Aren't you performing there sometime in August? When exactly? I'd love to come see you perform. I haven't seen your band perform yet.
