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Stephanie Rooker
Soul / Jazz / Funk

it's only love...that's all it is.



BROOKLYN, New York
United States

Profile Views:  21591




Last Login:  7/3/2009
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   Contacting Stephanie Rooker

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   Stephanie Rooker: General Info
Member Since1/14/2006
Band Websitehttp://www.stephanierooker.com
Band MembersCurrent Members:
Ben Tyree - guitar

Jen Rooker - supporting vocals

Lawrence Qualls - drums

Mamiko Watanabe - keys

Roland Barber - trombone

Theo Harden - bass

Past members:
Carey Nava - supporting vocals
Kevin Louis - trumpet/flugelhorn
Kevin Raczka - drums
Jahmal Nichols - bass
Jeremy "Bean" Clemons - drums
Jesse Fischer - keys
Josh David - bass
Steve Jenkins - bass
V. Jeffrey Smith - saxes & flute



"What If"
Super8 Footage from @ The Blue Note, NYC

(filmed & edited by Tyler Durrance Gamble)


"Tellin You Right Now"
THE RELEASE PARTY @ The Cutting Room, NYC



"Fire"
THE RELEASE PARTY @ The Cutting Room, NYC



"Sellin Ya Soul"
THE RELEASE PARTY @ The Cutting Room, NYC



WHEN IT ALL BEGAN...

P.S. I did not say what he said I said at the end of the clip.
He made that up. ;')
InfluencesErykah Badu
Patty Griffin
Eva Cassidy
Common
Mos Def
Billie
Joni Mitchell
Fiona Apple
old-school Janet
Jean Grae
TreZure Taylor
OutKast
Rebirth Brass Band
Sibongile Khumalo
Ani Difranco
ODB
Erin McKeown
Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire
digable planets
Seth Garrison
Whitney
Sarah McLachlin
Lauryn Hill
Anthony Hamilton
Cee-Lo
Dionne Farris
Hollie Smith
Rene Marie
Roy Hargrove
Mavis Staples
Che Fu
Charles Mingus
Chris Thile
D'Angelo
Morphine
Blackstar
Tribe Called Quest
Nas
The Roots
Katchafire
Alice Smith

but...to be real...
Mama & Pops Rooker

Jason Rooker

all the ones i love

music teachers
Sounds Like healin'
Type of LabelMajor


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jul 4 2009 8:30P
Nesselrod on the New--SUNKEN GARDENS Radford, Virginia
Jul 17 2009 8:00P
Shrine Harlem, New York
Jul 24 2009 7:30P
Pulaski Theater Pulaski, Virginia
Jul 25 2009 8:00P
Floydfest 8! Floyd, Virginia
Aug 28 2009 11:30P
BLUE NOTE :: Late Night Groove Series New York, New York

Stephanie Rooker's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

a moment for the new era  (view more)

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   About Stephanie Rooker

Stephanie Rooker is working on making people listen, on calling us to take a moment to recognize what we have, and what we have to give…and this is what her debut recording project, Tellin You Right Now, is all about.

Drawing from her broad range of musical influences: from singer-songwriter folk of her native Appalachia to her immersion in traditional folk music of Ghana, from her distinctive grasp of the cultural evolution of American gospel--blues--jazz--soul--hip-hop to her passion for the conscious vibes of '70s soul and reggae music, her sound is fresh and cultivated. Rooker sings with the careful phrasing of a soulful Eva Cassidy, the wailing of a young, blues-steeped Bonnie Raitt, and the self-affirmative slant of Stevie Wonder.

Rooker has been performing with her band in New York City and beyond for the past 3 years. In March 2008, she released her first recording project, Tellin You Right Now, to a packed house at the Cutting Room. Since then, Rooker has been scaling the music-scene ladder quickly. Less than a year after her CD release, Rooker made her debut performance NYC’s legendary Blue Note in the venue’s popular Late Night Groove Series. She has graced the stages of numerous other NYC venues, including Southpaw, Shrine, Nublu, Sugar Bar, Rose Live Music, 55 Bar, Bowery Poetry Club, and has been featured for the past 2 years in the Clinton Concert Series. With her increasing notoriety, Rooker has also been booking high-profile venues outside of New York City, including Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. and the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, VA.

Her music, reflecting a life filled with love & growth, pain & healing, and the beauty of hope, is supported by a 6-piece band of young, inspired musicians--all mavericks on the New York scene--from specialized backgrounds in jazz, reggae, gospel, and hip-hop. Rooker’s songs are ripe with innovation and rounded by expertise. In Tellin You Right Now, Rooker harnesses this musical diversity, seamlessly blending colors and textures to make each track a unique combination of groove, heart, and light.

Rooker attended historically progressive Oberlin College, where her coursework could reflect her broadminded values and support her musical ambitions. There, she designed an independent major in Ethnomusicology with an emphasis on West Africa and the Diaspora. This gave Rooker the opportunity to study for 4 months in Ghana, during which time she conducted field research and recordings and produced a CD of the traditional music of the Ashanti, Dagomba, and Ga people of Ghana. It was also during this time that she began composing her own music and booked her first tour as an acoustic duo with bluegrass guitarist Chris Eldridge (of Chris Thile's "Punch Brothers").

After graduating from Oberlin, Rooker settled in Brooklyn, NY, where she began pursuing opportunities to hone her musical abilities and immerse herself in the New York music scene. She began studying with jazz pianist Charles Sibirsky, under whose tutelage she recorded her first demo, was introduced to players, and began booking gigs around the city that opened the doors to a promising career.

The release of Tellin You Right Now marks the culmination of a journey for Stephanie Rooker. She has produced a collection of her own words and music to speak the truth as she lives it. This music is brimming with hope. It’s not a saccharine or unsubstantiated hope, but a wide-awake, insistent kind of hope...the kind that unites us, that reflects on our separations with wisdom and understanding, and reminds us to keep on lovin’ and doing good for one another.


UPCOMING SHOWS:


July 4th @ SUNKEN GARDENS AMPITHEATER





PURCHASE TELLIN YOU RIGHT NOW

from CD BABY:

Buy the CD
STEPHANIE ROOKER: Tellin You Right Now
click to order

OR iTunes:


STEPHANIE ROOKER: Tellin You Right Now

WHAT PEOPLE SAY:

"Listeners should expect the unexpected from Stephanie Rooker...Tellin You Right Now is an excellent effort...a fine album that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to mix it up musically."
Katie Frection, Hot Indie News.com

"Very much an individualist…a very, very fine vocalist…this gal really does lend a personal side to everything that she does."
Charlie Perkinson of NPR’s “Jazz Tonight”
[WVTF 89.1FM Virginia Tech]

“Don't try to pigeonhole Stephanie Rooker into a particular style of music. The Radford native will disappoint you…Rooker has a really nice record, Tellin You Right Now, which you should hear...she pulls it off live, and travels with a band of monster players. Her sister, Jen, did backing vocals, and they had the sisterly blend thing happening…By the way, she’s real good."
Tad Dickens, The Roanoke Times

“A lush six-piece band backs this soul- and blues-crooning wonder.”
C-Ville: Charlottesville News & Arts

“Don't be fooled by the release of this album being independent. The quality is nothing short of major and the content, songwriting and musicians are exceptionally great. Having been to several live shows, I recommend the full 360 experience for a complete comprehension of Stephanie Rooker.”
Spiritchild of Mental Notes

Fan Quotes:

“This album brings calmness to the soul in times of struggle and movement and introduces moments of reflection and rejoice. Won't Go Away is by far the best jazzy/soulful song of the year. I recommend playing this tune on repeat while kissing the sky.”

“Soul inspirational...from the heart to the soul!”

“This album is a very nice fusion of what to me is Jazz, R&B, and Reggae. It’s got a nice laid back vibe to it and just makes you smile and feel good.”

“[‘Won’t Go Away’] brings my soul to a place of peace and healing.”

“Ordered this after hearing it on our local public radio jazz night. Have listened to it over and over. Steph is outstanding...words have such meaning and her vocals are terrific.”

Stephanie Rooker's Sonicbids EPK
View Stephanie Rooker's Electronic Press Kit



Stephanie Rooker on Facebook
View Stephanie Rooker's Band Page on Facebook



For BOOKING INFORMATION, contact:

booking@stephanierooker.com


To be added to Ms. Rooker's MAILING LIST,

send a request to:

list@stephanierooker.com


   Stephanie Rooker's Friend Space (Top 28)
Stephanie Rooker has 887 friends.
 Ben Tyree™ 


 Jen 


 WHITENOISE 


 "Ol' Dirty NAV" 


 Lawrence 


 Roland 


 THEO 


 Mamiko Watanabe 


 LMNOP 


 Sage 


 Chris Eldridge 


 Spiritchild of Mental Notes 


 Erykah Badu 


 Patty Griffin 


 Mos Def 


 The Roots 


 Brand New Funk 


 Climbing PoeTree 


 RASTA 


 QUEEN GODIS! (performance artist, coach, mentor) 


 WICKED... GARY FRITZ & FRIENDS 


 Petra 


 Justice X 


 MAYA AZUCENA 


 I Love BK 


 HANDS OFF ASSATA! 


 FloydFest 


 Party For the People 





Stephanie Rooker's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 158 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Beto "El Fenomenal"





Jun 1 2009 11:47 PM

Wassup coming tru 2 keep in touch and show some love u already know don't be a stranger...

MyHotComments.com..

Beto

Artist Bev Bishop





Jun 1 2009 11:46 PM

So frickin awesome...Pulaski really???? Steph let me know when you are town and come by my studio and grab a painting ok....Awesome again...Bev
Blk Ceaza Music





Apr 7 2009 4:48 AM

You were awesome - DC loves you! Can we get a live cd soon?
munkl funkl





Apr 6 2009 9:53 AM

blues alley is a great place to see a show. seen many greats there. real music appreciators there. i think they'll get into what you do big time.
Artist Bev Bishop





Mar 30 2009 11:33 AM

Hey there...I thought that I would slip by to see how all went in Roanoke...I hope that you had fun and blew them away...Have a great week...Bev
Artist Bev Bishop





Mar 25 2009 1:36 PM

Stephanie, I have to work in N.C. this weekend so I will not be able to see you. However, you blow them away as you always do everywhere else. I got a chance to read the article about you in The Roanoke Times and it was great! Smiles and I will eventually catch-up to you...Bev
Artist Bev Bishop





Feb 13 2009 5:43 PM

Will do Stephanie...Same here in March and Happy Early Valentines Day...Bev
Trees on Fire





Feb 12 2009 8:22 PM

Rock on S-Rooks. Hope to catch you before Floyd, either at Gravity, Clementine, or in NYC. By the way, Stevie Wonder is my biggest musical hero, so your bio best not be talking junk...just kidding.

Peace,
Paul & Trees
Artist Bev Bishop





Feb 10 2009 1:33 PM

Hi Stephanie, Jacob and Jasons grandmother said to tell you hello! I had told her how awesome you have become with your music and she thought that was so neat and she said you always had a fantastic voice (smile)! I hope all is going great your way and like I said hopefully we will catch your opening in March! Bev B Studio 325
Artist Bev Bishop





Feb 4 2009 6:58 PM

Stephanie, it is good to see you on here and your music is fantastic.
I am not sure if you remember me I am Jacob and Jason's cousin! Anyways Bravo to you and keep on making your dream come true! Bev Bishop
Brian





Feb 2 2009 4:29 AM

Thank you for the add.
SoulTracks.com





Jan 13 2009 1:48 PM

Hi Stephanie. Thanks for reaching out. Your music sounds great! Glad to meet you.
J-Pop World





Jan 12 2009 8:54 PM

Thanks for the friendship Stephanie Rooker.

J-Pop World is dedicated to promoting Japanese music and related artists from around the world.

Stop by and let us know who you want to see interviewed next.



Ben Tyree™





Jan 11 2009 9:45 AM

Hey there, beautiful lady :)
DUJEOUS





Jan 7 2009 10:39 PM

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Adrian Edward





Jan 3 2009 8:26 PM

Hey,
Just dropping in to say hi and see what was up? Hope all is well :)
much love
~adrian
adrianrhen. com
Mikke's space





Jan 1 2009 11:34 PM

cool to be friends
JACQ





Dec 16 2008 1:00 PM

The Blue Note!! I'm scurrred a you, mama! Looking forward to it...One Love!
The California Honeydrops!





Dec 8 2008 6:36 AM

Celebrate the SOUL TUB! Thanks for listening!
- The California Honeydrops

..THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS: Soul Tub!..
FloydFest





Dec 2 2008 1:31 AM

See you at this years fest!!
The Brooklyn Photographer





Nov 23 2008 5:35 PM

Great Work!!
Zire Photography & Graphics
FloydFest





Nov 20 2008 8:58 PM

Yep, it's going to be another great year! See you there!
The Hub Kings





Nov 19 2008 1:56 AM

Hey there Stehphanie-

Thank you for your beautiful music and your friendship.
Pixies





Nov 18 2008 1:54 AM

hey there great meeting you too
break a leg at your concert tomorrow
Daniele Siliquini





Nov 17 2008 1:04 AM

Hey

thanks for the add.

and nice music



Daniele
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