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 Stevie J
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Stevie J can
relate to
the history of the Blues and how it has impacted modern music. Son of a
pastor and native of Jackson, MS, he has twenty years of experience as
a professional musician, beginning in Gospel and Southern Soul, and
adding Blues when an introduction to that music fueled a passion that
focused him deeply in the Blues genre.
His early musical influences came from
his father's
church, where he started out playing drums, but then made the move to
guitar. As he progressed to lead guitar, he played with gospel groups
such as The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Mighty Clouds of Joy and The
Williams Brothers.
In 2001, Stevie J found his calling in
life when he
sat in with the legendary Bobby Rush. Rush had a huge impact on
Stevie's career and inspired him to diversify into Blues and Funk,
which was taboo in his father's world as a preacher. "The Devil's
Music" became a struggle with right and wrong, but Stevie realized
God's plan for him in the music industry, and followed his passion for
Blues.
Bobby Rush and Pat Brown became Stevie
J's adoptive
parents in the music scene, and shared the history of the Blues from
Chicago to Mississippi. Stevie J recorded with Rush on his "Folk Funk"
album in 2004, and was also featured with Rush on "Live At Ground
Zero," and Martin Scorsese's series: "The Blues." Besides touring
throughout the US, Stevie J toured with Rush throughout Switzerland and
France.
Stevie J became a highly sought after
studio
musician. Besides recording for Bobby Rush, he can also be heard on
albums with Shirley Brown, Mel Waiters, Vick Allen and Denise LaSalle.
He has played on a number of demos with writer George Jackson for Bobby
'Blue' Bland and Bob Seger.
Stevie J performed on the Legendary
Rhythm and
Blues Cruise with Mel Waiters in 2009. His first taste of blues
cruisin' gave him the opportunity to share the pro jam stage with
Ronnie Baker Brooks, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Preston Shannon,
Susan Tedeschi and many other fine Blues artists.
In 2010 Stevie recorded two albums; a
blues album
titled "Standin' at the Station," and a soul album titled "Soul
Sessions." Both were combined into one double-disc release, "The
Diversity Project," with a February 15, 2011 release date. Stevie
continues to tour extensively with his band Blues Eruption, even making
it up to the Chicago Blues Fest in 2010. He also continues to work with
several southern soul artists and records with Malaco artists.
Quotes
"A true showman...the kind of music you can't
sit still to." -Venessia
Young (Jackson Live Music Examiner)
"...[merge] their blues, funk, soul, jazz, and
gospel influences into a refreshingly energetic, refined sound." -Carl Gibson (Jackson Free
Press)
Awards/Accolades
2009 Contemporary Male Blues Artist of the Year - Jus Blues
Awards
2009 Represented Central Mississippi Blues Society at
International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN
2008 Best New Artist - Southern Soul Blues Reader's Poll
| Audio
Samples: |
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Baby Come Home To Me
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[ MP3 ] |
Born Again Bluesman
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[ MP3 ] |
Stolen Wine
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[ MP3
] |
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Stevie
J - The Diversity Project
Style:
Blues/Soul
“The
Diversity
Project” by Stevie J is two separate albums recorded during
the
same period of time. The first disc is a Blues CD,
“Standin’ At The Station,” inspired by
Stevie’s
first appearance on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where
jamming with scores of other respected musicians inspired him to get
some of his own blues music recorded. The second disc, “Soul
Sessions,” represents Stevie’s work in Mississippi
as a
southern soul artist, and includes exceptional covers of
Mayer’s
“Gravity,” and Clinton’s
“Cosmic Slop.”
Stevie’s love for blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel and more are
abundantly clear in every song from these albums, and together they
make for a soulful and uplifting blues experience.
Catalog
#4544 (Released February 15, 2011) |
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