LEON RUBENHOLD – guitar, backing vocals - Born in London & raised in California, Leon's musical experiences range from lead guitarist for R&B legends Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack and David Ruffin to writing tunes for soundtracks, artists and bands. He's worked with other musical greats including Little Feat leader, Lowell George & songwriter/ producer Deke Richards (Jackson Five, Dianna Ross, Motown). Leon's tune "Down In Roswell" about the crashed UFO incident was picked up by producer Paul Davids for the title track of a video package and also contribute material for 2 other projects including the documentary, "Timothy Leary's Dead", and his film called "Starry Night" about Vincent Van Gogh. Leon's CD, "Leon Rubenhold A Close Circle of Friends" draws from many of the musical influences Leon has come in contact with over the years. Leon wrote, sang and performed on all the tracks with the help from a close circle of friends. ---------------------------------- RICK MOORS – bass - Rick has the solid R&B/roots and background that is expected of musicians from Kansas City. A professional musician of 30+ years, he had a busy career even before relocating to Los Angeles in 1977. In the '80s Rick signed on as a member of Combonation. He toured extensively with Oleta Adams and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. As long-time member and bass player of the Bonedaddys, Rick been playing World Beat music since before it even had a name! Rick has an uncanny sense of rhythm and style. He is terrifically versatile and understands how to interpret each genre just the right way. Rick is also a member of Conjunto Jardín (cone-HOON-toe har-DEEN), a Los Angeles-based Latin band from Veracruz, Mexico. The group was nominated for Best Latin/Salsa Artist in the 2003 L.A. Weekly Music Awards. ------------------------------- LAURI REIMER “the LIONESS” – backing vocals, percussion, management - Lauri sings background vocals and plays percussion for many artists around town including the Alfred Johnson band, who she manages. She also performs on occasion with the Stefani Valadez Ensemble, Paul Litteral & friends, élena & the Innocents, the Canaligators, Meleo’s Blues Shot, Frankie Ann & Co., and her group, FroRoc, with whom she plays guitar and sings original compositions. Off stage, she maintains a music management company, MUSIC MAGIQUE PROMOTIONS. She produces various local music events and promotes bands. Born in New York with a passion for music, Lauri sang show tunes around the piano since the beginning of time. She took guitar lessons as a teen and discovered that she had a very keen ear and an interest in writing. She sang in choirs and small singing groups throughout college and holds a degree in Music Therapy. After relocating to LA in the 80’s, Lauri made a career switch and became a fitness educator and exercise instructor which she still does. ----------------------------------- PAUL LITTERAL – trumpet - A native of Kentucky, Paul launched his musical career in New York City. He went on to form the world-renowned Uptown Horns with saxophonist Arno Hecht. Along with Crispan Cioe (sax), and Bob Funk (trombone), their four-piece horn section spent 15 glorious years performing and recording with such greats as: Ray Charles, Etta James, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., The B 52s, Cameo and many more. He's toured with the Rolling Stones and country superstar, Wynonna Judd. He's also played with Billy Joel, Tom Waits, Joe Cocker, The J. Geils Band, Angie Stone, Joan Jett, Buster Poindexter, Debbie Harry, Clarence Clemons, Hall & Oates, Robert Palmer and the Power Station, David Sanborn, Graham Parker, and even John Lithgow, just to name a few…Paul continues to be one of the most sought after horn players around town. Paul is currently co-musical director and lead Trumpet player for the hit musical, LOUIS & KEELY: Live at the Sahara. ------------------- JIM 'Gaspipe' THOMPSON - saxophone - A smooth groovin’ cat is a great way to describe veteran sax player, Jim Thompson, originally from Tacoma, WA. After graduating from the University of Washington as a clarinet major, Jim moved to Los Angeles to further his music career both on the road and in the studio. Jim has played with some of the greats in the industry including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Wynonna Judd, and Taj Mahal, just to mention a few. He currently plays with Bobby Womack, Los Lonely Boys, and the Temptations. When you hear his funky licks and sensitive, jazzy solos, you'll clearly understand why he is such a great addition to every band he plays with. Reaching far beyond the horn, Jim is also accomplished on the Shakuhachi or Japanese bamboo flute having spent one and a half years in Japan working and studying. -------------------------------CASEY JONES - drums - A longstanding member of the Bonedaddys, Casey’s extensive travel throughout China, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East has blessed him with the opportunity to study and play music from many different cultures. He’s played USO shows for the troops in Iraq and Bosnia. His passion for world music is quite evident in his playing as his rhythms and sixth sense is uncanny. Casey’s versatility as an artist is clear whether he’s playing reggae, Latin, calypso or jazz, he rocks! He’s played with some of the greatest including Joe Cocker, Etta James, Fabian, Linda Hopkins, Robert Greenidge, Andy Narrell, Jim Messina, Indeya, Long John Oliva, Luis Munoz & Pelin, Professor Einsten & Sapadilla, Rain People, Jah Mark & the Soulshakers, Unkle Monkey, Fat Tuesday, Urban Dread, & Spliff... ”but being given the chance to play such intelligent, heartfelt, funky ass, New Orleans swamp bucket, beautiful music with Alfred Johnson is a true highlight of my life and makes me feel at home! Life is all about love....and I feel the love in de house...”-------------------------------------------- OTHER WONDERFUL PLAYERS WHO BLESS US OCCASIONALLY ARE: DANNY MOYNAHAN on Saxophone; JONATHAN MARKOWITZ on Guitar; MICHAEL BARSIMENTO on Drums; ROD COLLINS on Bass...
Etkilendikleri
Alfred has traveled and played all over the world including France, England, Brazil and New Zealand, which explains much about the perspectives which inspired so many of his lyric-driven songs. Recognized as a true craftsman of the art of songwriting, his musical influences are: Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Randy Newman, Danny O’Keefe, David Wilcox, & Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin) and the sounds of the Gospel!
Another theme that clearly influences Alfred's songwriting is FOOD! Great food is as satisfying as the lyric of a song should be…You might think of it as a sort of ‘gourmet music’ that is designed to make the listener really listen closely.
Neye Benziyor?
HIMSELF! Well, the repertoire ranges from R&B-meets-Folk & Funk to Blues and Gospel to Country, and French Quarter ‘Nawlins’ Cajun Soul with a strong theatrical flavor and particularly well-crafted lyrics.
ALFRED JOHNSON is a singer/songwriter and master of the keyboard. As a prolific songwriter, Alfred has written somewhere around 900 songs and has published at least 70 over a span of about 30 years. Early in his career he co-wrote with RICKIE LEE JONES on her Platinum Grammy Award winning premiere album containing the hit single, “CHUCK E’s IN LOVE”. Alfred has been called one of this century’s most animated and original songwriters. Jazz singer, DIANE REEVES recorded and performed “COMPANY”, one of Alfred’s finest collaborations…
Alfred describes his musical style as very diverse, but the emphasis is always on the lyric. He blends Gospel with ”Rhythm & Bluegrass”, Pop, Rock ‘n’ Soul, and even some danceables in a way that only he can deliver them. You just have to experience him for yourself, and then you’ll understand. The only thing better than hearing his songs is seeing him perform them live...with the lyric sheets, of course!
"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell." Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press
WELL that's IT ! You've forced me to share what I've been writing over the last ## years. Great show SAT, loved it. Hope you enjoy my slight contribution to the global music pool! Not up to YOUR caliber but IT was from the heart. Hope you enjoy. LMKWYT. D
SEPT. 28, 2009 @ THE MARATHON RESTAURANT GUEST OF: "MS FAE DC" 1043 S. FAIRFAX LA CA 90019 TIME: 9:00 PM - COST: (FREE / DONATIONS APPRECIATED) 4-INFO CALL: 323 317 - 3309
OCT. 10, 2009 @ THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS MANSION GUEST OF: "IMIUSWI" AND A HOST OF OTHER HOT ARTISTS! 1750 VINE STREET LA CA 90028 TIME: 8:30PM - 4:00AM COST: TICKETS $20, $25 & $35 21 & OVER SHUTTLES LIVE EVERY 15 MIN FROM CAPITAL RECORDS 4-INFO CALL 323 798 - 4813
0CT. 17, 2009 @ THE LITTLE EITHIOPIA RESTAURANT HOSTED BY: DJ GREGORY - "G". (CRUCIAL SOUND) 1048 S. FAIRFAX LA CA 90019 TIME: 9:00 PM - COST: FREE 4-INFO CALL: 323 - 317 - 3309
OCT. 30, 2009 @THE ALCOHLIC CENTER FOR WOMEN ALONG WITH "MS. FAE DC" 1147 S. ALVARDO LA CA TIME: 6:30PM COST: FREE 4-INFO CALL: 323 317 - 3309
Joey Alkes of Alkes-Fradkin & DJ Monkey, co-author of the Plimsouls' classic "Million Miles Away" with Wife Filmmaker Patricia Cunliffe (A Language of Passion) on...- The LONDON GARCIA Show - THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 30 AT 3PM (PST)! http://www.latalkradio.com/London.php
I'll never forget that day when you pulled out a (mile high) stack of paper. You plopped down (in a puff of dust) several drafts of "Love du Jour. A song you had been crafting for what seemed like years.
I said to you , "Oh! I get it! You can never finish a song with THAT title, because it has to change every day."
You looked at me as if you were the RCA dog and I was a Victrola.
I only hope that my comment helped, in some small way, for it to find it's conclusion.
cast of Grassroots Acoustica #22: The Catch Up Edition raise $950 for Showing People Learning & Technology at The Talking Stick on Sat, 4/11. Photo by Stephen Paley.
Hello! Thanks for being my friend, I've just finished my EP and set up a new page for solo stuff! Any feedback is great so see what you think and leave a comment, thanks!
Ok Ok it's a new year, but we still have the same projects that have to get finished...agreed? Hope you get everything you want from this year..Lioness
Ello Alfred! I'll be in LA over New Years and would love to see you. I missed you last time round. :(
I hear Mac's in Venice at the moment and I left him Doug's number to try and hook up.... Goaty said their "City That Care Forgot" CD has been nominated for a GRAMMY! KEWL!!
Happy Thanksgiving Al!!! Just got back from Park City with my sister Dale's family for the Holiday...Great Visit! After the celebration, got a permit in Wyoming for $10, cut and brought home a 15' blue spruce Christmas tree, OUTstanding time. Hope you and the family had a great time. Wishing you the best this start of the Holiday season.
