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The
JR Clark Band, based out of Kalamazoo MI, is fresh off their
latest release JR Clark "Alive" at The Midway. The two disc cd set was
recorded in front of a packed house in Mishawaka, IN and the energy from
that night was really captured in the performance. This (4) piece band
brings many flavors in their performance from Chicago Blues, to soul and
even a little southern rock. These guys do it all. No show is the same.
Band leader and vocalist JR Clark has also been dubbed the "heir to the
fez" by Chicago Blues legend Lil' Ed Williams of "Lil' Ed and the Blues
Imperials" fame. "I am honored that Ed sees enough of himself in me that
he calls me his adopted son" said Clark. Having performed with and
toured with Lil Ed has rubbed off on Clark also, which can be seen by
his high energy performances, stage antics and backbends! Not only does
Clark play a mean slide guitar he is also a double threat on standard
guitar. "Covering artists such as Larry
McCray, Michael Burks and
Warren Haynes has really helped me
step up my game" said Clark. An original artist, Clark has two previous
discs out of all original material except for one cover song. This is
one band that is sure to never dissapoint!
Denny Love - Bass
Denny Love is the original bass man of the JR Clark band. An outstanding
bass player and road warrior from years past, Denny is the only guy JR
knew that could come in after Melvin left and lay the bottom down as
though the band hasn't missed a beat. Den has added a new dimension to
the band that they are sounding better than they ever have before!
Timson Taliaferro -
Drums
When Ben Pompey took a leave from the group, JR new he needed someone
who could come right in and keep the bands tight sound. The first call
he new he had to make was to Timson Taliaferro, long time drummer for
"Dr. Bones and the Skeletones" to the now present "Skeletones". Timsons
backround is from the Soul side of the Blues and R&B. The band has since
not missed a beat and Timson brings a little different flavor to group.
JR Clark - Guitar and Vocals
The J R Clark Band is fresh off its latest release entitled, J R Clark
“Alive” at the Midway Tavern which was recorded in Mishawaka, IN. The
disc is getting rave reviews. The band performed in front of a full
capacity house and the energy spills out in their performance. After
hearing some cuts on FM 88.1 WVPE, the committee of the Three Rivers
Harmony Festival asked the group to headline its festival. J R Clark is
a protégé of Chicago Blues legend Lil’ Ed Williams of Lil’ Ed and the
Blues Imperials. Lil’ Ed is a high energy performer himself and
performed as a guest on the Conan Obrien Show two times. J R has been
called the heir apparent to the fez, a type of hat that Lil’ Ed wears as
his signature. He carries on the tradition of Lil’ Ed’s slide playing or
slide slinging Chicago Blues on guitar. “Learning from Ed and performing
with him on the road has taught me a lot of how to lead a band and how
to get the audience going” Clark said. “It’s an honor that Ed sees
enough of himself in me that he calls me his adopted son even though he
is only 12 years older. Ed to me is a modern day blues legend such as
Muddy Waters was to
Johnny Winter”. Clark not only is a
master at slide slinging guitar, he is also a double threat on standard.
Drawing on influences such as the late great
Luther Allison,
Larry McCray,
Magic Slim and
Michael Burks, he uses this melting
pot to create his own brand of music. An original artist and songwriter,
J R also has a repertoire of blues covers that numbers in the hundreds.
No show is the same, it is always fresh. Clark lets the audience dictate
in which direction the show is going to go. The bands last studio
release is entitled “Getaway” and is entirely original except for one
cover.
James Hill - Hammond Organ,
Piano
James Hill is the latest edition to the JR Clark Band. James was
formerly a member of "Double Stuff", The All Star Frogs, The Junior
Walker All Star Band and Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio. JR and James
met by chance at a jam and hit it off right away. Not only is James a
virtuoso on Keyboards, he is also one heck of a vocalist. Whether
complimenting with harmonizing background vocals or doing lead vocals,
he is always a treat to listen to. "We are really excited about having
James in the Band. We really compliment what each other does very
well"said Clark.
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