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John Morris Band's debut CD: Busy
On You
John Morris Band 1998 Summer Calendar
John Morris artist profile
The debut album from blues master John Morris
"The John Morris Band with Busy On You
translates the laid-back feel that makes them powerhouse live performers
onto CD
without losing the up-close-and-personal ambience."
- Rob Pratt, Santa Cruz Good Times, April 30, 1998
"John Morris plays with such conviction and sensitivity while
offering freshness on blues, funk and R&B tunes.
He's awesome when it comes to original concepts for music and melodies.
I have a strong appreciation for his style and ability to hold a groove
whenever necessary."
- "Sista" Monica Parker, 6/15/97
"John Morris is a bluester supreme, but he can funk it up with
the best of them or swing it real sweet.
John has plenty of heart and soul and both are evident in his playing."
- Arden Eaton, programmer, KPIG and KAZU radio
"The Blues rule in barrooms and on Public Radio and across the USA,
but finding a blues unit led by an inventive, distinctive player is not
so easy.
John Morris is just the kind of creative player that can tear up a tavern
and is musically compelling enough to engage a larger concert audience."
- Tom Miller, promoter, concert co-ordinator
"John Morris is a catalyst to dance hounds and much more.
With his gift for composition, setting tempos and arranging skills,
Morris pioneers an innovative blues style on this recording.
John Morris clearly feels the blues."
- Leslie Ann Knight, Monday Morning Blues, KKUP 91.5 FM, Cupertino, Ca
Knight & Day Media Control
"I love your style, very original,
nice combination of blues, jazz and funk, it swings!"
- Marc Frijlink, Blues Train, Radio Meppel, The Netherlands 3/5/98
THE JOHN MORRIS BAND
from GOOD TIMES, a Santa Cruz, California weekly entertainment newspaper
November 13, 1997
Guitarist and singer John Morris has played everything from funk
to jazz to blues during the 20 years he's worked the clubs of Santa Cruz
and Bay Area, copping licks from his mentor, Joe Louis Walker, founding
the Broadway Blues Band and leading eclectic pop band Rhythm Box.
But for the group that bears his name, Morris turned to the blues, the style
where, he says, he can get to "that space," the meditative state
when true inspiration comes. With his band's debut CD, Busy
on You, Morris hits "that space" over and over again, setting
out funky, horn-heavy grooves that owe as much to James Brown or
the Meters as to the legends of Chicago electric blues. It's a sound
so hypnotic and groovy that boogie-blues master John Lee Hooker's
band has taken to kicking down versions of Morris originals. Delta blues
sensation Jimi Mamou and a handful of Bay Area blues stars join the
John Morris Band at the Crow's Nest Saturday for a CD release show beginning
at 9:30 p.m. - Rob Pratt
now available from
John Morris Band
featuring 10 original blues hits by John Morris!
Mystery Train
Call Me (on the telephone)
Busy On You
Let Me
Baby Talk
Ought To Be Making Love
Just Lucky I Guess
What Time It Is
The Way I Do
I Want To Make Love To You
John Morris - Guitars and Vocals
Bryan Loftus - Drums
Ken Embrey - Bass
Mark Carino - Bass
Doug Rowan - Baritone Sax
Jim Hannibal - Tenor Sax
Gary Regina - Alto Sax
Ronnie Beck - Drums
All songs written by John Morris
© Hazeltone Music
ordering info
for John Morris booking information, call
831 426-9086 / 831 461-0637
John Morris - Artist Profile
The John Morris Band is a modern, West Coast blues sextet with a
three piece horn section
in the Joe Louis Walker - Robert Cray style, playing original songs and
blues covers. The band
was formed by John Morris, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and leader of
the group.
A Santa Cruz resident since 1977, John Morris was a founding member of the
Broadway Blues Band
and Rhythm Box, an original R&B band. John has played blues in
the San Francisco and Monterey Bay
area for over twenty years. Morris has played shows with James Brown,
Albert King, Albert Collins,
John Lee Hooker, Tower of Power, Buddy Guy and many
others.
January 1998
KC Records releases John Morris Band's cd BUSY
ON YOU world wide.
1997
Formed John Morris Band. Recorded and produced a CD of original music
titled BUSY ON YOU released
on KC Records. The band performs frequently in California and continues
to fill the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz
every Wednesday night.
1995
Formed John Morris and the Dukes. Style: Classic and Modern Blues
and original R & B. This band played the
Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz every Wednesday night.
1993
Formed the Subterraneans. Style: Memphis and New Orleans Rhythm &
Blues.
Performances: San Jose America Festival, 1994. Many casuals and club dates.
1990
Began recording original demos for shopping to record companies and publishers.
Material accepted
and shopped by ATV Publishing, Criterion Publishing, Winston/Hoffman House
and others.
1987
Formed Rhythm Box. Style: All original, modern Rhythm & Blues
with horns. Played shows with Tower of Power,
Billy Preston, Rita Coolidge, Malo. Many headlining
dates in Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
1982
Formed the Broadway Blues Band. Style: Chicago and Memphis Blues
and Motown with horns.
Performances: Catfish Blues Festival, 1982. San Jose Blues Festival, 1983.
Monterey Jazz Festival, 1984.
Tapestry in Talent, 1983, 84, 85. Many club dates. Played shows with John
Lee Hooker, Albert King,
Clifton Chenier, James Brown and Koko Taylor.
1981
Joined Hole House Blues Band. Style: Chicago Harmonica Blues.
Performances: 1982 Harmonica Blowout, San Francisco; Ohlone Blues Festival.
John Morris
Band: Busy On You - KCD002 (1997) Compact Disc
to order:
send your order with $15 + $2 shipping/handling to:
KC Records
400 Riverside Avenue
Ben Lomond, Ca 95005
make checks payable to "KC Records"
please write legibly
or contact
KC Records order dept.
orders@kcrecords.com
click here for more domestic & international
ordering information
.
John Morris
John Morris Band's debut CD: Busy
On You
John Morris artist profile
John Morris Band 1998 Summer Calendar
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