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BAND BIOS:
Annette Taborn is a vocalist and harmonica player whose sultry, Jazzy, Blues style has been a favorite in the area for years. Her love of all kinds of music comes through in her performances and transfers good vibes to the audience. In 1998 she was honored as the guest artist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra during the “Summer in the Park Series”. As a Blues music promoter, she hosted the original “Missias blues jams,” produced “Sunday Blues BBQ's” at Club Soda and helped form the Kalamazoo Blues Festival and Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association. An avid Blues music history student and teacher she began “Annette Taborn and Blues in Schools” in 1994, a program recognized by Bonnie Raitt and Living Blues magazine (July/Aug ‘97). Blues in Schools workshops have taught thousands of students about Blues music and its history. Accompanied by the areas top musicians her 5 piece band, trio, or duo perform originals as well as covering the best blues, jazz, folk, and rock.
John Chamberlin has performed with various groups in the West Michigan area since 1969. John, on piano and vocals (although he doesn't sing on this CD), has been fronting the John Chamberlin Trio for more than 5 years, playing a mixture of original tunes on this CD and co-wrote the third, La Nina, with a former member of the group, bass player Dick Nelson.
This is the second stint with the trio for versatile drummer, Tom Tomas, who recently rejoined the group after spending some time touring both in the states and abroad.
Bass player Steve Kamerling is the newest member of the group, having recently moved to Kalamazoo from Baton Rouge, where he was a regular on the music scene and had the opportunity to work with some nationally known musicians.
Special guest percussionist Yeshwua Ben Israel, whose skills are much in demand, takes the rhythm section to another level on this CD.
Dr. Bones: One of Kalamazoo's most loved musicians, Dr. Bones sadly died in March of 2002.
Born Arnold Langley, March 1, 1950 in Greenville, North Carolina. His family moved to Philadelphia in 1953. At age 7, Arnold started playing guitar. Five years later he was playing gigs around town. Watching over hime were his father John and brother Charles who is also a talented musician.
Just starting high school, Arnold was playing in the house band at the Uptown Theater, backing up artists like James Brown and Stevie Wonder. The Manhattans came through and liked Arnold enough to take him on tour for the next three years. Able with hard work to complete and graduate high school, Arnold was approached by Junior Walker to join the All-Stars.
Traveling around the world with Junior Walker and the All-Stars, recording three albums with them, and even having time to play for Ike and Tina Turner's band, Arnold was learning the trade and the showmanship he brings to the stage today.
Arnold left Walker's band and moved from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo to pursue his own vocals and smooth grove guitar. Dr. Bones was jammin’ with one and all, and arranged different lineups of players to lead him to his present dynamic group called the Skeletones. They include Bobby Wilson on guitar and vocals, Melvin English on bass, Timson Talliaferro on drums, Greg Rokicak on keyboards, and feature the sensational vocal stylings if Lady T.
Now playing heavily with this tight band, overcoming an episode of cancer, Dr. Bones, (who has been labeled Kalamazoo's Godfather of Rhythm and Blues), brings worldwide “All-Star” guitar and vocals to an exciting, entertaining show. Featured on the Live at Francois' CD, and seen in a one hour program on Community Access, this new millennium will be exiting for Dr. Bones as arrangements are being made to record a new CD.
For booking information call 381-4958
Loaded Dice: This Kalamazoo-based band formed in January 1993 and has since played regularly across southwestern Michigan. In 1997, band members Mark Schwerin and Joe Ferguson joined by local piano whiz Tom Duffield, embarked on an exciting new musical direction by branching off to form an acoustic trio. The result is proof that good things frequently do come in small packages. The Loaded Dice Trio has become a hit in small clubs and micro-breweries including Francois' and Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo and Arcadia Brewing Co. in Battle Creek. With the growing popularity of acoustic blues, the new venture's success is all but assured. In March of '98 the trio recorded its first CD, available on the website or at gigs.
Mark Schwerin’s blues background goes back to the early 1980’s when he first started performing with Loaded Dice bass Bill Wilson. Mark moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he formed the blues band Tight Like That, which performed extensively in “The Triangle” area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Upon his return to Kalamazoo, Mark and Bill formed Loaded Dice, which has gone on to open shows for many blues music legends, including Buddy Guy, Big Daddy Kinsey, Lonnie Brooks, and Smokey Wilson. Mark's music education actually started with acoustic guitar, so with the Loaded Dice Trio he has come full circle.
It's hard to believe after listening to Joe Ferguson’s smooth harmonica licks and masterful bends that Loaded Dice is his first band. It's even more unbelievable after you hear him sing. Joe is one of those rare musicians and vocalists who make sure they have everything right before stepping into the spotlight. Joe was recruited into the Loaded Dice fold after Mark heard him playing the blues, Joe had become a big asset to the full Loaded Dice Band and as one-third of Loaded Dice Acoustic Trio.
Tom Duffield started playing guitar at age 18, but he later found piano was what really pulled at his heart strings. Tom's piano metamorphosis took place in the early 1970s, when a friend showed him a few tricks on the keyboard. About the same time, Tom was introduced to the music of Otis Spann. He's been tickling the ivories ever since and discovered along the way such piano influences as Pinetop Perkins, Memphis Slim and Albert Ammonds. In addition to the Loaded Dice Trio Tom did time in the folk and blues trio McDuff and often teams up with Kalamazoo blues man Brent Hilton. Tom likes the blues because of its abundant heart and soul. “When you hear the music,“ Tom says, “it goes right to the heart.”
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