great music discoveries over the yearsperformance showcase
Performance Showcase
Emerging and Seasoned Musicians:Featured Video
Discover new music from emerging and established artists. Watch the showcase of gifted artists, musicians, and entertainers on the rise to stardom. Like the TOD festival, we extend promotional opportunities to new artists and give talented musicians an opportunity to reach a broader and varied audience base.
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JAAFAR at The Basement Durham NC and performed at Taste of Durham Festival in 2006. We will be showcasing gifted artists, musicians, and entertainers all year round. Listen to diverse music genres from seasoned performers to performers on the rise to stardom.
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No items found.2009 Festival
The band has been playing community oriented events in the Triangle for 10 years. Performs 60's and 70's R&B, Blues and Classic Rock.
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JohnnyFosterBreak%20Yokes.mp3">Break Yokes
JohnnieFoster%20if%20it%20wasnt%204%20u.mp3">If it wasn't for you
His sound is that of Inspiration and has crossover appeal in Gospel, Soul, Pop and R&B that has not been seen since the days of Sam Cooke. Foster, born and raised in Durham , N.C. to a musical family began his career at the age of 10. He performed in various talent competitions and during High School, he became a member of John P. Kee's Revelational Experience Choir where he developed a skill for writing lyrics.
He later moved to Los Angeles , C.A. As a member of the group IZ, he recorded and released his first single, Da Bomb , on an independent label. This was also the time he did his first studio "sessions for hire" getting a chance to work with and learn from Marvin Gaye's producer, Harvey Fuguay. Johnnie has had several songs published, released and distributed by companies such as CBS, CEI Gospel and Scotty Brothers Records as a lyricist and arranger. He has also been nominated male vocalist of the year in 2005 & 2006 for the Prestige Award by the Gospel Announcers Guild and nominee for 2006 & 2007 Newsome Awards male vocalist of the year. Johnnie is also an ordained minister and founder of a street ministry called Freedom Through Christ Group Ministries a ministry that helps people in need and struggling with strongholds.
Cool John was born in Beaufort, SC in 1953. He learned to play the guitar by the age of 3. By age 5, Cool John played gospel music professionally and astounded musicians 10 times his age.
He has performed at numerous concerts and major blues festivals throughout the world to include, The Savannah Blues Festival, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, the Lucerne Blues Festival and the Blues-To-Bop Festival in Switzerland , the Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia and Wasago Beach Festival, Toronto , Canada . Cool John is so versatile. You never know what he's going to play next. He seamlessly combines styles of gospel, funk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues to name a few. He has been active on tent revival circuits, played with LaFace Records of Atlanta, GA, and collaborated with several well known artists throughout the world including, Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, BB King, Beverly Guitar Watkins, and the Stylistics. He has provided sound tracks and scores for countless events and movies. Living Blues Magazine honored Cool John for two consecutive years as "Most Outstanding Guitarist". Taj Majal stated that "Cool John Ferguson is among the five (5) greatest guitarists in the world and is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Cool John is among the ranks of Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhart." Cool John's fans will tell you emphatically "He is the best of the best guitarists in the world". Cool John is a recording artist and recently released a CD entitled: "With These Hands".
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"Nufsed" It is often said that when you are going somewhere you've never been before it would be both prudent and wise to ask someone who has been there. This extremely talented quartet of singers, songwriters and producers has indeed "been there". For most people, nowadays entering the music industry and getting "there" is defined by incessant radio rotation, an inordinate amount of television and print exposure and best of all unparalleled affluence that makes you the envy of your friends and family alike. But as those of us who still live on planet earth quickly figure out, that dream is more often fleeting than we like to admit.
For Alvin Williams, Lawrence Cash, Cedric Turner and Charles Wilkins having been there and getting there hasn't exactly been the seemingly impenetrable utopia the media unabashedly disseminates as the norm. There have been myriad singing groups, solo efforts, a glut of phenomenal recorded material, investors, showcases, broken promises, encounters with the likes of Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, The Backstreet Boys, Ne-Yo and so on. With all of that said, one thing crushed dreams or failures can never deny is superb talent and a genuine love of great music. Sometimes when you don't know where to turn you have to turn to what you know. These guys know music. That's why the name of this quartet speaks for itself, "NUFSED"!!
Alicia Ellison Grant wrote and recorded a song in honor of our troops entitled "Brave Soldiers of the USA." Alicia wanted to pay homage to our troops and decided what better way than to use her gift of song. This song is available for digital download at cdbaby/cd/aegrant. Half of the proceeds go to the USO of North Carolina.
2008 Festival
A national recording artist with Lamon Records out of Charlotte, NC. Her debut country album is titled, "You Make Me Feel Beautiful" and her first single, which was released on March 2008, is titled, "I'm Dropping Tears".
How do you use rhythms of world music, but engage listeners with songs they know and like? How do you have more than one musical love? Guilt-Free Affair is the answer. It's REALLY OK to have strong vocals, pop and soul melodies, jazzy improvisations, popping Latin percussion, and funky bass lines. Enjoy Guilt-Free Affair with a clear conscience and bring your dancing shoes.
Guilt-Free Affair is vocalist Lisa Ray, Ronn Baker on guitar, saxophonist Jeff Brown, Eric Nicholson on electric bass, plus percussionists Fuz Sanderson and Jubal Creech.
His songs are about life, the parts of life we all experience, and can relate to as our own. He has a diverse musical background and has performed in choral groups for 11 years and performed in musical stage productions, to include six operas.
Original Rock Music with a dash of funky, a smidge of Latin, a cut of Blues, a taste of Country, a dab of Folk, a little Jam Band, a hint of Americana & a just a dab of Calypso.
A Japanese rock band and all members are Japanese who live in Triangle area. The music style is strongly influenced by Japanese rocks and pops called "J-ROCK/J-POP", which are fused a domestic traditional Japanese music with imported rocks/pops in 60's, 70's, and 80's.
The songs run the gamut from danceable rock to piano pop beneath bubbling synths to soaring orchestral epics to moody pulses with angular hooks. Regardless of how you categorize it, Mobley's melodic music is always tempered with pop sensibilities that make it both memorable and accessible.
2007 Festival
Tim Smith's inspirational saxophone, positive lyrics and voice have been heard from Compiegne, France to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and from Sarotov, Russia to the Carolinas. The Band is versatile group, blending a variety of both cover songs and original music from soul and R&B to funk and reggae with a rockin' twist, a bluesy edge and jazz sensibility to create a whirlwind of raucous energy that will leave you stunned. With superb technique, soulful expression, positive vibes, and a dynamic stage presence, The Tim Smith Band serves up an extremely energetic and impressive live performance.
Dirty Rice is a mixture of funk, rock, and reggae mixed together to create a unique sound. Dirty Rice consists of Theo Manikam, keyboard and synthesizer, and vocals. Tyler Roberts, bass, Seth Johnson, percussion, Jordan Manikam, drums, and Charlie Winstead, lead guitar and vocals. This awesome sound is now followed by the brass band section which consists of Michael Chuley, Martin Dewit, Preston Martin, and Zack Hunt. The band is originated in Raleigh at Millbrook High school and playing together since 2003. There covers range form anywhere to Van Morrison to James Brown. The band loves playing together and has great chemistry. The band is gaining local and public support everyday and plans to take there music to further levels.
Tiny & Whitey and the Just Say Yes Blues Band formed in the Triangle in 1987 and has been laying down Chicago-style blues grooves throughout North Carolina ever since. Phil Campbell and David Roskin, who were "Tiny & Whitey" respectively as childhood friends, play blues harp and electric guitar. Joined by David McLeod on guitar, Trey Marchant on bass, and Brian Murray on drums, the band has had essentially the same personnel for 17 years. In that time the band has refined their chops and developed their signature "Blues with a Feeling" sound. Get ready to dance and have a good time!
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Their name means "ample amounts of Zydeco" and that's what they deliver. Zydecopious offers up not only tunes that Zydeco aficionados and dancers have come to know and love, but also songs that reflect the heavy R&B-tinged music of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. And always expect some surprises, as some popular hits of the past get the Zydeco treatment. The Triangle Zydeco band includes Bodhi on frottoir; Tracy Wiebeck on bass; Mike Davis on guitar; Leo Briere on accordion; Ken Joseph on drums; and Mick Voiland on organ. They all invite you to listen, enjoy, tap your feet, and most definitely, DANCE!
Charles Bradshaw (piano, all keyboards) Charles has played all genres of music, from R&B, top 40, beach music, gospel and jazz. He has played with such groups as Johnny White and the Elite Band, Liquid Pleasure, The Brothership, and as for gospel, United Voices of Praise. Matthew Busch (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones) Matthew began playing in his father's band, The Art of Busch Orchestra at the age of 13. From there he was the drummer for another band called Three Generations. He has played with the University of Illinois Jazz Ensemble and the T.J. Thompson Quartet. He as sat in as a sideman for Stanely Turrentine, Ed Thigpen and Ron Bridgwater. Brad Kitner (Upright and electric bass) Brad began playing bass in high school with bluegrass and folk group. From there he went on while at the University of South Carolina in their school of music to play with the jazz and swing band. Odessa Shaw, Jr( drums and all percussions)
Odessa has been playing drums since the age of 6. Starting at age 15, he played with Johnny White's band at the time known as the Crusaders, from that he has played with the four Mints, John Snells, Silver, Gold & Platinum, R&B bands from the late 70' thru the 80's. He has played with noted jazz musician Brother Yusef Salim, and grammy nominated vocalist Nnena Frelon.
Brazilian Soul performs a variety of Brazilian musical styles from the most rudimentary Forry (For All) to the complex harmonies of Bossa Nova and Brazilian Classical music. You will hear rhythms with a strong African influence such as Samba, Bairo, Maracat and the beautiful lyrics and vocal arrangements of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music).
Brazilian Soul is led by Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Paulo Lopes and is composed of bassist Cesar Oviedo and percussionist Robert Cantrell. PAULO LOPES was born in Brazil, worked as a musician for 20 years, performing live presentations around the country. He is a talented guitarist, violinist, vocalist, composer and arranger. He has many years experience in audio production and owned a commercial professional recording studio in Brazil. Paulo is currently directing and playing with Brazilian Soul as well as playing guitar and singing with the Brazilian band, Holy Samba.
Get your groove on with Raleigh, North Carolina's newest funk experience, Children of the Horn (COTH). Kickin' it old school with blue break-beats from the 70's (Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson), mixing in the New Orleans sound (Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Meters), a few shots of Caribbean music, and some soul-jazz on top. This ensemble breaks the boundaries of big band funk with a more minimal instrumentation: 3-horn section, keys, guitar, and drums - laying down a solid, danceable groove and jammin' all night long.
David Giuseppe has been performing professionally since 1978. He is known for his fiery and emotive playing and is equally at home performing Irish tunes in a pub, French musettes in a cabaret, contra or Cajun music for a dance, or in the intimate setting of a concert hall. Appearing solo or with his numerous bands, he is an accomplished accordionist, multi-instrumentalist (mandolin, banjo, Irish cittern, Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, concertina), singer and storyteller.
DiGiuseppe has released three recordings showcasing his playing of music from the Celtic, Parisian and American traditions. He is featured on many other CDs by his various bands and as a sideman for other artists. He has also published two written collections of traditional fiddle tunes arranged for accordion through Mel Bay Publications.
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Mr. Coffee & the Creamers is North Carolina's premier Motown, Soul, and R&B ensemble. Featuring an incredibly diverse array of musicians whose backgrounds include everything from punk to funk, hip-hop to jazz, the Creamers bring a unique energy to these classic songs while remaining true to the spirit and soul of Hitsville, USA. One listen and you'll agree that it's undeniably fun.
2006 Festival
Jaafar is a Middle Eastern Jazz/Arabic Funk Fusion ensemble originating from the Raleigh/Durham Triangle of North Carolina. Bandleader & bassist Robert Troy Cole embarked on a musical & spiritual journey through Egypt in 2000. While immersed in the local culture, Troy explored musical territory that combined his love of American Jazz improv. & Funk Fusion with traditional Middle Eastern musical themes.
There is a spiritual & meditative, Middle Eastern philosophy in the music of Jaafar. The bands "Acoustic Form" represents these sensibilities, while Jaafar's "Electric Form" exhibits a raw power & beauty, that is at times energetic, explosive & yet sensitive & subtle.
Jaafar demonstrates a musical willingness to push themselves and their audience to unforeseen destinations. They expertly fuse traditional Arabic melodies, classical Indian concepts of composition , North African rhythmic grooves, and pure American Jazz & "old-school Funk" to produce the unique soundscape that is Jaafar.
Willie Hill is a veteran musician who spent a number of years playing with touring R&B and soul acts before starting his own recording studio and record label in Durham, NC. At the age of 19, Hill was playing bass with the Communicators and had written a hit single, "One Chance," which was recorded by the group in 1974. Hill played with the Modulations in the mid-'70s at such venues as The Apollo Theater, and currently performs at many smooth jazz festivals. Hill opened a recording studio, Inspire Productions and started his own record label, Joy Records. He has since engineered for Lois Dawson, Shirley Caesar, the NCCU Jazz Ensemble, Mickey Mills and Steel, Shabba Ranks, Norman Conners, Stanley Baird, and Gerald Hinton and recently released his seventh cd entitled, "Natural Evoution
Romanced by the pianoís sounds and possibilities, Jack MacKinnon has had an affinity for the instrument from a very young age. In addition to his numerous original compositions, Jack also has been gifted with the ability to create imaginative visual artwork. His primary desire is to stimulate the imaginations, capture the hearts, and open the minds of his audience through his music
The Countdown Quartet plays jazz and old-style R&B. They do original music, some standards, and many choice not-so-standards. You might hear the influence of Professor Longhair, Ellington, the Stax Records sound, the Meters, Hank Williams Sr., the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sonny Rollins, and James Brown. Louis Armstrong is King, Ray Charles is Prime Minister, Mingus is the jester. They are indebted to New Orleans for all kinds of inspiration, but are an original NC band, bred in the Raleigh-Chapel Hill music scene.
He was six years old when he was introduced to steel drums in a small village in the Island of Trinidad. Today, he continued his journeys as a musician and educator of the unique sounds of steel drums.
Frankie Alexander and her trio of seasoned musicians give a fresh interpretation to jazz classics. It's music for the introspective listener.† A recipient of the 2006 Durham Arts Council Emerging Artists Program, look for Alexander's CD. SIMILAR 2: Carmen McCrae, Shirley Horn
A local group of young musicians. Mixing Indie Rock, Jazz, and Acoustic music, the band has created a very unique sound.
2005 Festival
Greeting messages from different languages, messages worth sharing, etc. 
Greeting messages from different languages, messages worth sharing, etc. More to come...
