SABBATICAL

Bio:

-------------------------- A break from your typical Jam, Blues, Rock band-------------------------------------------------- With a diverse music style ranging from electric ballads to downright refined tones, Sabbatical does not fit into a neat category. At first listen one might believe that Sabbatical is three distinguished bands with three distinctively gifted singers. However listen again and you will hear four attributes that make Sabbatical unique: musical versatility, raw emotion, compelling vocals, and lyrical brilliance. Formed in 2000, Sabbatical is comprised of five seasoned musicians with completely different backgrounds who collectively have over 20 years in the music business. The members are: Abby (lead vocals), Howard (lead guitar, vocals), Dave (guitar, acoustic), D (bass, vocals), and Scruffy (drums). Vocally trained at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia School of Performing Arts in NYC (the Fame School), Abby has sang backup for Whitney Houston and is often vocally compared to Pat Benatar and Debbie Harry (Blondie). Dave honed his skills by listening to Neil Young and Mark Knopplfler; D blended his techniques from Bunny Brunell and Chris Squire, while Howard’s style is similar to Neal Schon and Joe Santriani. Scruffy has been a back-line drum tech for Lonestar, Brooks & Dunn, Phish and at Woodstock ’98. He has also studied with Negron (Santana), Steve Smith (Journey), Ed Shanughnessy (The Tonight Show), and James Petersack (Crane School of Music). Even though each member of Sabbatical brings different experiences to the table one thing remains universal, Sabbatical values their fans and strives to keep a close connection with them through live performances, E-mails, and Blogs. After all without the fans where would a band be? www.sabbaticalband.com Frequently well received by the media, Sabbatical was selected out of 150 bands to receive a four song-recording contract with North Country Public Radio, and has three songs featured on Madstop Records, a compilation CD produced by the Crane School of Music. Sabbatical has also shared the stage with The BaHa Men, Carl Henry, JADE, Raisin Head, Ten Years After, Commander Cody, New Riders, Firehouse, Dessert Heat, and Andy Griggs to help raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation. Is it Abby’s Latino vivaciousness, Dave’s crushing grooves, Howard’s infectious rifts, D’s powerful chords, and Scruffy’s vigorous beats that make Sabbatical such a harmonious listening experience? Or is it the passionate musical portrayal of the trials and tribulations of life that captivates audiences? Either way one thing is for sure, by the end of the night everybody will surely hear something that will strike home. Sabbatical is currently promoting their self-titled EP and is planning on going back into the studio to record their first full length CD. ..Get Some Hot Myspace Layouts!

Member Since:

September 15, 2006

Influences:

Sounds Like:

7-19-08--Sabatical Comments Having been the First band to ever play here at Samsons. These guys have a great mix of great tunes. Modern Rock style, they have a great stage presence, and great musical abilities, with female vocals to boot!! Come check these guys out while they are playin the smaller scene, it won't be long before you'll have to wait in line at Ticket Master... Bill Samsons Paul Smiths New York

Record Label:

Fourth Coast Entertainment