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
VIDEO EPK (edited by Aris Ziagos - RiotScience Productions)
"Get Up/Tellin You Right Now" @ The Blue Note, NYC - Jan 2009
"What If" @ The Blue Note, NYC - Jan 2009
"The Rain Wants to Fall" @ The Blue Note, NYC - Jan 2009
"Play" @ The Blue Note, NYC - Jan 2009
"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. ;')
Influences
Erykah 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
Stephanie Rooker’s soul-shaking sounds range from saucy r&b, to innovatively revived funk, to jazz-infused ballads.
Drawing from her broad range of musical influences: from folk music of her native Appalachia to her immersion in traditional music of Ghana, from years of classical and jazz training to her distinctive grasp of the cultural evolution of American gospel--blues--jazz--&--hip-hop, Stephanie Rooker’s sound is fresh and cultivated. She 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 attended historically progressive Oberlin College, where she designed an independent major in Ethnomusicology with an emphasis on West Africa and the Diaspora. This gave her the opportunity to study for 4 months in Ghana, where 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 guitarist Chris Eldridge (of Chris Thile's "Punch Brothers"). After graduating, Rooker settled in Brooklyn, NY, where she continued honing her musical abilities and began immersing herself in the New York scene.
Stephanie Rooker has since been performing extensively in New York City and beyond. In 2008, she released her debut CD, Tellin You Right Now, to a packed house at NYC’s Cutting Room and has since been climbing the music-scene ladder quickly, performing at such high-profile venues as NYC’s Blue Note, Washington, D.C.’s Blues Alley & Roanoke, VA’s Jefferson Center.
Supported by band of seasoned musicians--all mavericks on the New York scene, Rooker's songs are ripe with innovation and rounded by expertise. Her unique and alluring music is fueled by an almost tangible passion, creating with it a force for empowerment and social change.
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. She lets her voice loose in the name of the most essential and contagious kind of Love. Rooker hopes that her audiences will reflect, understand and heal, but--most of all--keep on lovin’ one another.
Rooker is currently completing on her second studio album, due out in 2010.
PURCHASE TELLIN YOU RIGHT NOW
from CD BABY:
OR iTunes:
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.”
HI Stephanie. ¡do you rememerd me? im feeling "The Rain whants to fall live". you are a great singer on ballads or Funk, thanks for to be a Friend Greetings from Chile.ahhh you are a beautiful lady too Chaooooo
Thanks for adding us! Love your music! It was so nice to meet you in Park Slope. Keep in touch! Sincerely, Kari Groff-Denis, MD and the JTH team (Music for Kids and Kids Mental Health Advocates)
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
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.
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
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
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