Nine Below Zero

Bio:

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Early One Morning




Evolution Blues




If You Love Me Like You Say




Temperature




Jump, Jive & Wail




St. James Infirmary




What's The Matter With The Mill?




Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival Story




A two-time (2009 & 2010) Asbury Music Award Nominee, Nine Below Zero is a high energy blues dynamo, performing a variety of styles from Chicago, Texas, West Coast, Swing and old school R&B. The band features Drew Bolognini-Harmonica/Vocals, Roger Gorey-Drums/Vocals, Steve Parker-Guitar/Vocals, Sean Graverson-Bass and Jim Beckerman-Keyboards/vocals.

Member Since:

February 28, 2009

Members:

DREW BOLOGNINI-HARMONICA/VOCALS

Drew's been playing the Harmonica since high school. His first influence in the 70's was Magic Dick of the J. Geils Band. He soon discovered the players who've influenced harp players forever. Namely the late, great Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Big Walter Horton, George Harmonica Smith. Modern players Drew admires include James Cotton, Junior Wells, Kim Wilson, William Clarke, Rod Piazza and Mark Hummel.

The turning point in his harmonica life was being introduced to his long time teacher, Dennis Gruenling. 10 years after their initial year-long teacher/student relationship, Drew and Dennis have renewed that relationship. In addition, he has picked up tricks and tips from the likes of Sandy Mack, Rob Popparazzi, Phil "Doc" Proctor, Ken "Stringbean" Sorenson, Billy Lily and more.

Drew formed his first band, The HomeWreckers in 2001. In 2008 he formed Nine Below Zero and the band has been playing gigs in and around central NJ and beyond ever since. Though the lineup has changed over time, the band still rips with the same gut-bucket passion for Blues and roots music. Maybe that's why they've been recognized by The Asbury Music Awards as a Best Blues Band Nominee in 2010 for the 2nd consecutive year!

Drew's day job is TV Producer for a local magazine program called Neighborhood Journal, where he produces, shoots and edits ("Preditor")sports segments and all kinds of local stories of interest.

ROGER GOREY-DRUMS/VOCALS

Roger's become a Jersey Shore blues scene fixture, first with Blue Plate Special, then with The Cobra Bros. Besides 9 Below Zero, he also plays with Little Dave & The Chess Kings, hosts of the La Riviera Open Blues Jam in Matawan, NJ. Blues is his passion, but you can also find him backing and fronting with the Westchester based classic rock horn band The Barfly Orchestra.



STEVE PARKER-GUITAR/VOCALS

Steve Parker spent the formative years of his life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He got his first guitar when he was 13-years-old. He played in various bands with friends, bassist Mark Herman and drummer Doug Bennett. The three of them teamed with guitarist Jonathan Fletcher to form Reaction, a popular rock band on the bayou scene. Then in 1989 Steve began an association with Handy Award winner and Nashville Blues Society Harmonica Player of the Year, Shannon Williford in the Eyewitness Blues Band. In addition Steve’s also played with greats like pianist Henry Gray, guitarist Larry Garner, and songwriter Michael Wolfe. He's appeared at the Baton Rouge Blue Festival on several occasions and was the house guitarist for the World’s Greatest Blues Jam at Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge where he had the pleasure to back artists such as Raful and Kenny Neal, Oscar Davis, Rudy Richard and many more. Inexplicably, Steve put down his guitar in 1996 and 13 years later picked it up again after moving to New Jersey and discovering the Thursday night jam at the Blue Moon Café where he met the guys from NBZ. We’re glad he did and welcome him to the NBZ family! He brings an authentic Louisiana feel to the band that will broaden NBZ''s eclectic musical stylings. Steve currently resides in Plainsboro, NJ. and works in the information technology field when he's not jamming some hot blues!

SEAN GRAVERSON-BASS

Sean is a South Amboy resident playing in his first blues band. His rock and roll roots add punch and spunk to the ensemble with his 5 string bass.

JIM BECKERMAN -- KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

Jim came along 100 years too late to play piano in a house of ill repute in New Orleans. But his ill repute in New Jersey more than makes up for it. A founding member of The VooDudes, Jim now plays in The Noisy Neighbors and The Hammers. He was featured on the Holmes Brothers album "Lotto Land" and has released a solo album, "Born to Boogie." Most recently, he wrote the music and co-wrote the book and lyrics for a musical comedy, "The Most Ridiculous Thing You Ever Hoid," staged in the 2008-2009 season of Bergen County Players and reproduced off Broadway this past fall as a winner of the NY Musical Theater Festival, winning award for best ensemble cast. His inspirations are the great New Orleans keyboardists: James Booker, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Marcia Ball, Jelly Roll Morton. Also a couple of yankees: NRBQ's Terry Adams and stride piano great James P. Johnson, originally from New Brunswick

Influences:

The band's influences are as diverse as the members themselves. Drew brings a Chicago Blues perspective, while Jim and Steve bleed Louisiana swamp boogie styles. Roger brings a mix of Classic Rock, Blues and Swing styles and Sean's hard rock background keeps the beat on edge.