J PLACE is a well-respected blues harmonica player, singer, and front man. He can sing blues, R&B, soul, jazz standards - even classic rock hits - and sound soulful and authentic on them all. His harmonica playing has great phrasing and musicality. He's got that elusive thing musicians call "feel."
A couple of years ago he started a project called "Drift Away", a trio with piano player Joe Micarelli and drummer John Litwin. They're veterans of the legendary Fat City Band. Drift Away is a kind of unplugged, more piano-based version of J's full band, with an accent on the New Orleans grooves (Dr. John, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint) and of course some Little Walter type harmonica-based blues.
But they can also do Dock of The Bay, Santana's "Smooth", Aretha's "Baby I Love You", some Van Morrison, jazz standards like "As Time Goes By", "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)", "Blue Skies", Dr. John's "Such a Night" and "Right Place, Wrong Time", Marvin Gaye, Al Green, John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith", Sly's "Hot Fun In the Summertime", and even an Etta James-style "At Last".
Last season, Drift Away played a number of summery gigs, one of them a weekly gig on the spectacular outdoor deck of the Red Parrot overlooking Nantasket Beach. That's when they realized they had something special going - J's feel for dynamics, his singing touch, and the experience and musicianship of Joe & John meant that Drift Away could play for a family eating a quiet dinner, or step it up to total dancing mayhem, without compromising artistic quality.
J is a gifted performer. Drift Away always goes over. People perk up and listen. They always feel they're being treated to something special. J is an endearing and real performer. People trust his music and sense the sincerity of where it comes from.
WEDDINGS, PARTIES, and FUNCTIONS: Because of Drift Away's versatility, people are discovering that the band is perfect for these types of situations. They can fit seamlessly into these gigs while staying true to their basic blues and R&B roots. Click on Drift Away's version of "At Last" to hear what we mean.
EMAIL the band at driftaway@jplaceband.com
Pianist JOE MICARELLI is a co-founder of the Fat City Band, which became one of the best-loved and most successful bands in New England. As a member of the Fat City Band, he opened for Ray Charles, B.B. King, James Brown, Spyro Gyra, Neil Sedaca, Willie Dixon, Sha Na Na, and many others. Among Fat City's recordings are an album produced by famed New Orleans pianist and songwriter Allen Toussaint, and a CD produced by Steely Dan guitarist Elliot Randall ("Reelin' In The Years"). The band has performed at Universal Studios in Florida, and places like Bermuda, Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Killington, Vermont. A song written by Joe ("Mad Money") was performed by the band on comedian David Brenner's nationally televised talk show. Joe left Fat City about 7 years ago to pursue many different projects, but the most fun has definitely been Drift Away.
Drummer JOHN LITWIN has been holding down the drum chair for the Fat City Band for 20 years. As a youngster he studied jazz with the great Tony Williams and played gigs with people like R&B legend Esther Phillips. With the Fat City Band, John's been doing all the exciting and varied gigs mentioned above in Joe's bio. He has a particular affinity for New Orleans grooves, he's a master of dynamics, and is equally at home with brushes or sticks.
We're posting some tunes from different projects J has done recently. Drift Away, with J Place, Joe Micarelli, and John Litwin, is represented by Aretha Franklin's "Baby I Love You", an Etta James-inspired "At Last", and Professor Longhair's "Big Chief".
paste the link below into your browser for a recent article about Drift Away in the Cohasset Mariner
www.wickedlocal.com/cohasset/archive/x1598188903
J also plays with a full band of five pieces (J, guitar, piano, bass, drums). The J Place Band's latest project is a seven-song CD titled "Right Place, Right Time." Robert Johnson's "Little Queen of Spades" from this CD is available for listening above. The personnel: J Place, harmonica, vocals, guitar; Kit Otto, guitar; Joe Micarelli, piano; Brian Rost, bass; Dom Micarelli, drums; Gordon Beadle, tenor and baritone sax; Scott Aruda, trumpet.
The personnel on "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" from a recorded tribute to Little Walter, is: J Place, vocals and harmonica; Kit Otto, guitar; Joe Micarelli, piano; Dave Souza, bass; Maylo Keller, drums.
"Bettin' On The Blues" (J Place) is from the CD "Bettin' On The Blues." J Place, vocals and harmonica; Bobby Gus, guitar; Jacques Raymond, upright bass; Larry Takki, drums; Mark Stevens, piano.
It was nice to catch Driftaway this weekend al fresco. It's funny how you sometimes don't notice you miss something until you see it again. I have missed summer so much this year. It's nice to have you back. You are so much a part of summer.I look forward to seeing you at the Red Parrot.
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh. Spring has sprung. Isn't it grand? I always get in such a good mood when the warm weather is here. I start walking(getting ready for bikini season), singing and dancing around in a general feeling of anticipation for SUMMER! Will you guys be doing the Red Parrot again this summer? If so when does that begin? Also, when does the Sunday brunch end for the season?
Thought I'd check in and see how you were doing. Your friends are coming right along. I've been under the weather so I couldn't make your gig @ the Snug but I'll keep you guys in mind.
I see the allure of myspace has not eluded you. Welcome. I know Sweet Melissa too. She rocks as well. You should catch one of her gigs sometime. I'd love to dance with you.
