| THE
SOUL OF JOHN BLACK "BLACK JOHN" |
 “Retro
soul tinged in country, funk and blues.” – Rolling Stone
Magazine
"To say that Bigham is heir to multiple traditions is a major
understatement...He seamlessly merges influences and eras, and the
results can be heard on his fine new album Black John...The groove
is, indeed, the thing. It's relentless...what matters is the soul
and funk, and Bigham brings it on every track. He's a fine singer,
too, throwing in Godfather of Soul grunts and gospel melismas and
pleading, sexually-charged asides that are worthy of Al Green."
– Paste Magazine Online “Best New Artist Debut”
2008 Blues Music Awards Nominee
The Soul of John Black is John “JB” Bigham, an adventurous
artist who isn’t afraid to take risks while pursuing his musical
vision. His stage moniker is a name shrouded with an element of darkness
and mystery, inspired by the 1976 cult film “J.D.’s Revenge.”
JB declares, “I tend to like artists who lean toward the shadows
and walk the edge and wanted my music to reflect that.” He draws
his inspiration from blues and soul pioneers of the past and stands
as a true testament to the dynamic beauty and freedom of musical expression,
which he strips down to the core – guitar, voice and exposed
human emotion conveyed in sparse, soulfully captivating performances
wrought with raw, spontaneous power.
JB’s musical history boasts an impressive resume. He’s
written songs for Miles Davis and played percussion in the Davis group.
His track “Jilli” is featured on the trumpeter’s
last studio album “Amandla,” and he appeared on the Davis
DVD, “Live in Paris,” recorded at the 10th Paris Jazz
Festival. Bigham also played guitar and keyboard for the pioneering
rock-funk-ska band Fishbone for eight years, contributing songs, guitars,
keyboards, background vocals and production expertise to several of
their albums, and later toured as a side man and played on sessions
with artists as varied as Eminem, Dr. Dré, Rosey, Joi, Nikka
Costa, Bruce Hornsby and Everlast.
The Soul of John Black is a celebration of the African American musical
heritage. On “Black John,” JB masterfully combines soul,
gospel, funk and hip-hop, while tracing its roots all the way back
to its humble origins - the blues. JB infuses his uniquely crafted
music with contemporary urban rhythms and hauntingly earthy acoustic
slide guitar which at once pays tribute to a bygone era of such legendary
figures as Leadbelly, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, while boldly
crossing over into new innovative territories and sonic frontiers.
Backed by notable musicians Adam McDougal on keys (Black Crowes, Macy
Gray, Maroon 5, Nikka Costa), Oliver Charles on drums (Ben Harper,
Rhythm Roots All-Stars), Scott Seiver on drums (Nikka Costa, Inara
George), Jake Najor on drums (Carl Denson, Connie Price, Breakestra),
Shawn Davis on bass (Beck, Nikka Costa), Davey Chegwidden on percussion
(Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Bitter Sweet, Ghost Face Killer, Big Daddy
Kane), and Bill Botrell on 2nd guitar (Grammy winning producer for
Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, and many others), The Soul of John Black
has reached a new plateau; transcending the crossroads and arriving
upon an unexplored intersection on the aural highway. It’s soul
music for a whole new generation.
|
|
