Crittenden-Sax-Keys-n-Vox, DMott-Skins, Jerry "The Doc" Livingston-Bass, Kenny Hawkins-Guitar, Wade Hawkins-Keys, DJ Cutler, Michael DiSanto-Guitar
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Influences
Create your own visitor map! Earth Wind and Fire, James Brown, Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Herbie Hancock, Al Green, Eddie Haris, D'angelo, Theloneous Monk, Erika Bhadu, Jill Scott, ?uestlove, old skool hip-hop, old skool r-n-b, bill Laswell, Cinnematic Orechestra, Portishead, DJ Z Trip, Culture, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hatheway, Aretha Franklin, Grant Green, Groove Holmes, Maceo Parker, U2, Art Blakey, Miles Davis. Sly and the Family Stone, The Roots, Radio Head, Tortouise, Primus and John Coltrane.
Plus all the amazing kats I work w/ and meet around the country on the road!
Sounds Like
Crittendens R&B vocals marry 1970s soul with 1990s hip-hop in a party atmosphere that rules out individualism. -Jim Santella, allaboutjazz.com
Having earned respect on the national touring scene by playing his sax with the likes of Bob Weir, Michael Franti and Karl Denson, Eric Crittendens debut release, Blu takes the multi-instrumentalist (sax, keys and vocals), singer-songwriter beyond his horn and on the fast track to success. Collaborating with Soulives’ Eric Krasno and Rob Wasserman on a couple tracks, this front man-entertainer is at a whole new level. Crittendens’ Blu album is a jazz, rock-n-soul tour de force.
With proactive lyrics, soulful vocals and blazing sax leads, Blu is as progressive as it is classic. Crittenden has a unique way of taking progressive new steps in music all the while keeping it in the vein of the old school. Im a medium of sorts, says Crittenden. I play the instruments and write the lyrics, but the music plays me; it’s that simple.
From his musical birth Eric Crittenden, a Buffalo NY native, was brought up to the funk and feel-good soul sound of Motown, after-all his father played with James Brown. But it was later on in his 20s that he really discovered jazz and organic self-expression. Listening to and being influenced by Eddie Harris, Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Pink Floyd to name a few, completely changed his life and he started on a path of feel-good genre mixing that is accessible to everyone. For me, in order to go forward you have to go back, says Eric; “I was raised with old- school r & b and soul and my father played with James Brown for 13 years.” “This is who and what I am all about, however this is a new era and music needs evolution and I’m fortunate to be able to do my part”.
Blu marks a new level of maturity and sophistication for Crittenden. While he is no stranger to the road and making records, this will mark Crittendens first real national effort. Crittendens’ band Juke Joint Blue will be on tour in support of the record through out the summer and fall. What can you expect from a Juke Joint Blue show? You’re just going to have to check it out and see for your self!
-namaste
Multiple events, Multiple locations, dozens of artists, all weekend long. more info: check http://www.dtr45.com CALL FOR ARTISTS: interested in showcasing? please contact artofhiphop@dtr45.com
just wanted to let you know we gots a new track we recorded with
danielle ponder called "Free" on our page. please check it and let us
know what you think.
Alright y’all we got a dope new Tune-Widget for playing selections from Big Noise Radio on any of your social networks, blogs or web-sites. Just click the share button to grab this player and post it anywhere on the web. Check out updated Top 10 selections from our radio show every day right on your own web-sites and share the Big Noise experience with your own network.
Hey there brother...just wanted to stop in and tell you to come check out the pics of our newest addition. Gwyn Valentine Steinwachs..born April 29th:)
we gots a new Ric Rude track on our page, "Back Like Neva Before." please check it out and let us know what you think. you can download it for free if you dig it!
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