Soul Project:
Vanessa Rodrigues - Hammond B-3 organ
Donna Grantis/Olivier Rene de Cotret - guitar
Jean-Pierre Levesque - drums
DJ Killa-Jewel - turntables
Gale/Rodrigues Group:
Chris Gale - saxophones
Vanessa Rodrigues - Hammond B-3 organ
Mike Rud - guitar
Davide DiRenzo - drums
with Oscar Stagnaro:
Vanessa Rodrigues - piano
Joel Miller - drums
Max Sansalone - drums
Joanna Peters - percussion
Musuk Viger-Rojas - percussion
Free Oxygen
Seven Positivity - vocals
Admiral Spanky - lead guitar
Sleazy V - organ
Fur - perc & rhythm guitar
El Dogg - bass
Snooky - drums
Influences
Bach, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Billy Preston, John Scofield, Sesame Street (there was some seriously hip stuff on that show back in the 70s, like the pinball "12" song) Tower of Power, Michel Camilo, Marc Anthony (no, not the cheezy English Language stuff -- check out "Contra la Corriente"), Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Stitt, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jack McDuff ...
Available at: http://www.vanessarodrigues.com/projects/vrsp02.html
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Vanessa is a big, funky black man with a huge afro, trapped in the body of a petite brunette woman.
She doesn't really sing much, because when she opens her mouth, she longs to unleash the deep earthy voices of Ray Charles, Larry Graham, Barry White ... sadly this is not physically possible.
Therefore, she speaks through her greasy, growly, thunderous Hammond B-3 organ; only then can she fully become the black man she really is.
She also plays piano ... but only in very groovy situations, usually salsa-related.
If you want to know about her musical past and present, upcoming shows, recording projects, press releases and all that jazz, check out her website -- vanessarodrigues-dot-com.
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Soul Project is available in digital format on iTunes:
Video
Vanessa performs her best-known composition, One-Eyed Monster at Strawberry Fields in Antwerp, Belgium, Oct 7, 2007.
With: Bruno De Groote - guitar & Frederik Van den Berghe - Drums.
Christmas wish with the same words may be outdated and trivial in a world, still beautiful, but where everything goes fast-paced enough to make us forget who we are ... It's a good reason to stay, hope not only to others but to themselves, much serenity and contentment to be more fortunate.
Vanessa! Greetings from the Cayman Islands. Great to finally meet you at the Organ Jam in Montreal this summer. I am thoroughly enjoying your CDs and to hear you in such different configurations (glad I got all 3 you had!!). Love you compostions on "Soul Project" and production really nice. "Live At the Rex" kicks ass and Chris Gale's playing (and yours) is brilliant...sound is good (allowing for the fact that the organ a bitch to record live). Just listening to your "Free Oxygen" project which sounds like a lot of fun - would love to see this band live.
I am now solidly a fan - your playing is imaginative and dynamic. Looking forward to hearing more and seeing you get the recogniton you deserve! Cheers, Wil
hi vanessa! sorry it took so long to get back to you. thanks for your words - it was really great to meet you and talk. i know you had been working crazy long hours and i really appreciate that you came out to the yellow door. can't wait to hear your cd!
Olá Vanessa, foi tão maravilhoso ter você no Maze e escutar seu piano no TriBoz! Tenha uma boa viagem. Aliás, a gente, Wolf e mim, vamos tocar hoje no Symposium, tipo mais tranquilo, em Laranjeiras, Rua Ipiranga 65. Beijos!
Merci d'avoir accepté mon invite, tu as une très grande maitrise du clavier, impressionnant... 2009 Bizz pour la nouvelle année, à très, très bientôt........Martial
Hi Vanessa...tropical greetings and many thanks for the add and some great playing on the trax you have up on MySpace. I look forward to hearing more.... Cheers, Wil
