Tim Sparks, Tom Lieberman, Prudence Johnson, Roger Hernandez, Dave Maslow
Influences
Boswell Sisters, Cats and the Fiddle, Stuff Smith and his Onyx Club Orchestra, The Cotton Club, Cartoons, Harold Arlen, Oscar Levant, Al Jolson, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and the Chick Webb Orchestra, Busby Berkeley, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Fletcher Henderson, Fats Waller, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, King Pleasure, Ken Nordine, Blossom Dearie, Do-Wop, Manhattan Transfer, Dan Hicks, The Mills Brothers, Eddie Jefferson, Richie Cole, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Billie Holliday, King Pleasure, Ted Unseth, Willie Murphy
The popular vocal jazz trio Rio Nido emerged from the heady days of the Minneapolis West Bank music scene of the early 1970’s, playing at the legendary New Riverside Cafe and Extempore Coffeehouse. With Tom Lieberman on vocals and guitar, Prudence Johnson on vocals and Tim Sparks on vocals and guitar, Rio Nido specialized in Classic Jazz and Swing of the 1930’s and 40’s. In 1977 they recorded “I Like to Riff” which featured arrangements of The Boswell Sisters, The Cats and the Fiddle, Stuff Smith, Al Jolson and Nat King Cole performed with a stellar lineup including Butch Thompson, Eddie Berger, Willie Murphy, Peter Ostroushko, Jim Price, Gary Raynor, Hearn Gadbois, and members of the Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra. Recorded by Dave Ray, Chris Hinding and Michael McKern, “I Like to Riff” was produced by Charlie Campbell and Doug Ackerman for Campbell’s Shadow Records label with artwork by famed music poster artist John Hanson.
Tom Lieberman left the group in the late 70’s and after a brief hiatus he was replaced by Roger Hernandez on vocals and drums. Beginning in 1980, Rio Nido switched to a quartet format of guitar, bass, drums and vocals and focused on the vocalese style of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and Eddie Jefferson as well as Do-Wop classics like 60 Minute Man, which showcased Hernandez’ rich baritone. Prudence Johnson blossomed in this period as arguably the best jazz singer ever to come out of Minnesota.
In 1983 they released “Hi-Fly” on Bob Feldman’s Red House Records, which featured original lyrics by Jim Nance, Mary Jo Knox, and Sparks set to the music of Slide Hampton, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, and Randy Weston. Hi-Fly featured Dave Maslow on bass and vocals, Dave Karr on flute and tenor sax and Jimmy Hamilton on piano. Rio Nido’s last recording was “Voicings”, recorded for the Pro Arte Jazz label, one of the first early, all-digital recordings released in the then new compact disc format.. They were joined by a who’s who of Minnesota Jazz greats including Tom Lewis on bass, Jimmy Hamilton-piano, Dave Karr-tenor sax, Gary Berg-tenor sax and chromatic harmonica, Phil Hey-drums, Dave Jensen-trumpet, Kathy Jensen-tenor sax and flute, Pete Enblom-trombone, Billy Carrothers-keyboards, Dave Birget-bass vocals, and Marc Anderson-percussion.
How are you, Rio Nido? Haven't checked in on you lately, so I swung by to wish you a happy holiday season & hope you are feeling well! Listen, I have another track up on my page, "Attack Of The Mushroom People." You can Hear it right Now, if you'd like at: www.myspace.com/psychedelicpablo OK, that's it for the shameless self-promotion.Thanks for being a friend. adios for now! Pablo
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
High! Pablo here, reporting in from Inner Space to wish you Happy February & a great 2009! (we interrupt this comment with a brief announcement: Pablo's first new album in 5 years,"Take Two," Is Here & Now! -16 tracks of sugar coated insanity-available on iTunes, CD Baby, etc.) - Stop by my page to hear 4 new songs! God bless!!! P (P.S. the new album is best appreciated on a higher plane....;))
thanks for your nice comment, Rio Nido. the weather in austria has become tolerable last two days, the week before was HOT, but i remember summers in the last ten years, more worst then this one. people in southern europe are suffering and dying: 30 persons died from the heat yesterday only in romania...the weather changes, when will we ?
If only the critics had been so kind to my first film. But note my credit as "special consultant" to the filmmaker. What can I say? True genius can't be contained.
This comment has been an RKO and Mercury Theater production.
A dear friend called me at 11:30pm--late for him...just to tell me about your reunion performance tonight. Thrilled to hear of it, wish I hadn't moved to the other end of the Mississippi. I whiled away many hours in front of the three of you, and once, when I was too drunk (never could hold...!) annoyed the piss out of Prudence. (Who should've gotten more time in the Altman/Keillor thang.)
