*** updated December 2008 *** The NEW CD is available for purchase at CD BABY - here is the link - http://www.cdbaby.com/yohannestona - Thank you for supporting my music. Y.T.
Yohannes Tona Band "Sand from the Desert" Set For Release on November 1st at the Dakota Jazz Club.
Renowned Ethiopian born Minneapolis bassist Yohannes Tona will release his first full length recording on November 1st. In celebration of this event, a CD release show and live performance will be held at the Dakota Jazz Club that same evening.
The CD includes ten original compositions from Tona as well as contemporary funk/jazz versions of Miles Davis’ “So What” and John Coltrane’s “Naima”. Tona refers to his music as “Afrofunkjazz” which perfectly describes the melding of his influences that forms his sound.
“Sand from the Desert” features Tona’s live band, consisting of Peter Vircks on saxophone, Brian Ziemniak ..boards, Brian Kendrick on drums, and Patrice Delemos on percussion. The recording also features contributions from many artists that Tona performs with locally; look for guest appearances from Mint Condition’s Stokely Williams, fiery Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera, trumpeter Dave Jensen, Peruvian guitarist Andres Prado, vocalists Wanaku and Aimee Bryant, and gospel group Darnell Davis and the Remnant.
Grammy award winning Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip had this to say about “Sand from the Desert” – “If you're looking for something GROOVY to listen to - CHECK THIS OUT!”. Haslip also provided help mastering the recording in Los Angeles.
Tona was born and raised in Shashmane/Awassa, a town in Southern Ethiopia. He grew up around music; his father was a church organist, his mother a vocalist. After finishing high school in Awassa, he moved to Addis, the capitol of Ethiopia, to further his musical education. He moved to the US in the late 90’s, attending Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship. He moved to Minneapolis 5 years ago; in addition to his own group Tona also performs with several artists such as Nachito Herrera, Dr. Mambo’s Combo, Bruce Henry, Darnell Davis & the Remnant Gospel Group and Seven Steps to Havana, to name a few. [Credit: http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/7360/115/ ]
Hello! Mark your calendar!! If you dont know, I play for a blues artist named Bernard Allison & we will be performing at the fifth annual Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival that will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2009, from Noon to 10:30 p.m. at Peavey Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis (outdoors at 11th St. and Nicollet Mall)
Bernard Allison is performing on the main stage at 7:00 – 8:30 PM
The Band includes:
Bernard Allison - (Lead Singer, Guitar)
Bruce McCabe - (Vocals, Keyboards)
Jose James - (Vocals, Sax, Percussion)
Jassen Wilbur - (Bass Guitar)
Erick Ballard - (Drums)
The festival is free to the public. More information is available at www.famousdaves.com/bluesfest or the Festival Hotline at (952) 294-1299.
Bernard Allison is a National/ Internationl performing band & this is the only time in 2009 that you can catch our concert in the Twin Cities & I'd like for you to come to the show & eat some BBQ!!
WELL. . .HELLO THERE MELODIC MUSICAL1. . .SMILE. . .I JUST WANTED TO DROP BY YOUR SITE AND SHO-SUM-ESSENCE LOVE TO YOU. . .BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS AND ABUNDANT LOVE TO YOU AND YOURS. . .ALWAYS. . . INSPIRING INSTRUMENTALIST. . .SMILE. . . MAJESTIC ESSENCE
Hey, vote for me! "We Call Dat Sh!t Da Soda Pop" has been nominated for a TC Hip Hop awards "Best EP" Category. I cannot win without your help. Go to http://www. myspace. com/tchiphopawards to vote for me!
Thanks for your support.
G dot
YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE EP ON MY PAGE TO SEE WHAT YOU THINK
Hey Yohannes!! Just stopping by to say "hi"...haven't had a chance to do much other than write music...haven't had a chance to play "live" since our last gig (!!)...but I sure do look forward to playing with you again under better circumstances!! ;) --Andy
Hey Yohannes. You sounded great last night as always. I've got rehearsals the next couple of Tuesdays, so I won't be back for a few weeks. Come down to the AQ anytime. It would be great to have you sit in.
i really wish to see you become a LEGEND, ..like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Ray Charles, etc etc etc....; even bigger! we all know you have it in you! :)
