Band members & Special Guest Stars have included: Carl Basler, Billy Deputato, Josh Rutner, Eli Asher, Red Wierenga, Greg Chudzick, Mark McCarron, Mike Feldman, Michael Tate, Paul Page, Jack Licitra, Rebecca Weiner, Ivan "Funkboy" Bodley, Dan Nachimson, Justin Jordan, Adam Levy, Jim Malone, Carlton Smith, Chris Amelar, Willy Martinez, Mark Mancini, Deni Bonet, Kevin Chisholm, Eddie Skuller, Andy Falco, Don Celenza, Karl Hereim, Bill Foley, Mike Deputato, Pat Jamison.
Influences
Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Ella Fitgerald, Beatles, Lucinda Williams, Joan Osborne, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Al Green, Bill Withers, The Jayhawks, Van Morrison, The Band, Ray Charles, Crowded House, Grateful Dead, Sheryl Crow, CSN&Y, Mamas & Papas, Billie Holliday, Linda Ronstat, Dionne Warwick, and all of the wildly talented people I've been fortunate to work with with over the years.
Mary Connolly wears many musical hats. With her most recent project, "The Mary Connolly Band", she fuses old-fashioned, hip-swinging soul and blues with a contemporary lyrical sense reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt and Joan Osborne. An Irish-Catholic from New York City, Mary Connolly might seem an unlikely exponent of the blues. In fact, she has spent the last several years as a journeyman musician, performing music of every imaginable genre. A church cantor as a teenager, Connolly sang everything from folk mass to High Mass in Latin. Subsequently, she spent ten years paying her dues in wedding bands, cabaret shows, in classic rock cover bands, and on a cruise ship as a singing cocktail waitress. Longing to synthesize the various styles that inspired her, Connolly formed her own group and began playing original music. She quickly developed a loyal following and her shows and recordings have been garnering positive reviews and airplay throughout the Northeast. Her most recent CD release is “Blue Desire”, available on iTunes, at CDBaby.com, Amazon.com or at live performances.
Raves & Reviews
“Connolly has the gospel-soul thang going on…” -- BLUES ACCESS MAGAZINE*
“…This New York veteran has a powerful, joyous voice…”
-- Ed Ivey, BLUES REVIEW *
”…More than just a woman and her band…” -- SONGWRITER'S MONTHLY *
“…When she's hot, she really rocks…” -- O'S PLACE JAZZ NEWSLETTER *
“…Connolly wails and her band grooves…”
-- AIDING & ABETTING: THE ONLINE MUSIC SOURCE *
”…Simply put, Mary Connolly is the whole package.” -- Billy Dare, THE MUSICIAN'S TRADE JOURNAL *
”…Connolly has a searing soul-blues vocal style…” Nick Dedina, LISTEN.COM *
“The 'Desirable' Mary Connolly Band” – IRISH VOICE *
Happy New Year to one of the most spectacular Goddesses I am blessed to know . . . who just happens to be a birthday-sister Taurus too! Sending you love and big hugs for 2008 and on, Mary! xoxo J
Only a few I think of dearly from good old Lacordaire, and you are definately one of them!! I'll be at the Turning Point Cafe in Peirmont this Saturday night with Dennis Gruenling's project(my husband as well)
