| ROCKIN JAKE :: BIO |
Rockin' Jake has been hailed by many as one of the premier harmonica players in the country. His original sound is a hybrid of second line, swamp funk, blues and zydeco with influences from Paul Butterfield, Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Muddy Waters, J. Geils Band, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Jake has conjured up this formula that is blowing crowds away from coast to coast. Widely known as a touring juggernaut among his peers, his schedule of over 200 performances per year include clubs, concert venues, and festivals.
Originally from the East Coast, the "blues bug" bit at an early age for Jake. He immersed himself in the thriving regional blues scene, which boasted such talents as Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard and Sugar Ray. Primarily self-taught, Jake briefly studied with Jerry Portnoy, harmonica player for Muddy Waters.
In 1990, Jake moved to New Orleans where he began to work with such notable New Orleans mainstays as: blues diva Marva Wright, Mem Shannon, Coco Robicheaux, Little Freddie King, Tommy Ridgley, Eddie Bo and other local legends. During this time Jake also toured nationally with G. Love & Special Sauce, blues and pop legend Maria Muldaur as well as logging international miles with bluesman T.J, Wheeler. He was selected to perform in an all-star band featuring blues legends Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin at the Howlin' Wolf.
In 1995 he formed the Rockin' Jake Band as an outlet for his original music and his unique swampy sounds. One year later Jake recorded his debut CD, "Let's Go Get 'Em" (on Rabadash Records) which earned him national recognition. In 1999 Jake produced "Badmouth", on Zuluzu records followed by "Full-Time Work" in 2002 on the same label. It included an all-star cast of musicians such as John Gros (Papa Grows Funk), Ron Johnson (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe), Bryan Stoltz (the funky Meters), Ben Ellman and Theryl "Houseman" de Clouet (Galactic). In the spring of 2004 he recorded his band’s first live cd. Over four days in Key West, Florida at the Green Parrot he and his band record “5 p.m. Breakfast” on Zuluzu records. Jake's work has also been heard on the soundtrack of "The Big Easy" television series, the theme for the "Mike Ditka Show, " and a Miller Beer commercial.
He is a five-time winner of 2004 Off Beat Magazine's coveted “Best of the Beat” award for best harmonica player. Jake is truly a hard working musician with extraordinary talent. He and his band pour out their souls in every performance with high energy and electricity which consistently brings the audience to their feet.
In
his spare time Jake managed to snare some culinary kudos in New
Orleans, taking the trophy for "Best Barbequed Brisket"
at the 1999 New Orleans Musicians Barbeque Competition, and launching
his own line of signature hot sauce: "Badmouth" (the edible
version)..."man it's hot!"...just like the band! Jake
also takes time to give back to his New Orleans community with Project
Prodigy Music Camp for children as well as the Blues in the Schools
programs in New Orleans and other cities in the US.
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| REVIEWS |
Probably the best harmonica player in New Orleans ... a clear, sweet tone that gives an
infectious sense of lilt. ...DownBeat
Harmonica hellcat lives up to his moniker.
...OffBeat magazine, New Orleans
Fine funk, second-line, blue-eyed soul and zydeco-flavored grooves...flat
out stanky. ...Lafayette, LA Advertiser
Engaging set from harmonica player whose style is infused with the music of New
Orleans and other genres. ...Blues Access
Lives up to his name and puts on one heck of a jumping show.
...Mississippi Valley Blues Society
Stellar assemblage of New Orleans musicians have cooked up a rockin' gumbo of
roots music. ...Blues Revue
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| AUDIO / VIDEO |
| BACKLINE NEEDS |
Negotiable
| BASIC REQUIREMENTS |
Negotiable
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