Studio Visitors      Rick Davies  and the Latin Funk Thugtet

In the studio this past week was Rick Davies and his Latin Funk Thugtet.  Rick has some great compositions for his group to perform and record.  Below are a few photos of the rhythm section laying down some tracks.  The horn section will track separately, after the rhythm section finishes their job.  I have to say, it’s been hard working on the mixes without breaking out in dance!

Addition Studio Visitor Jeff Cochran

Jeff was in the studio recently recording a large body of poetry he has written and amassed over the years.  Talented in both the written verse and the performance of the spoken word.  I was most impressed with the many voices Jeff was able to use to convey his well crafted, thought provoking, personal outlook on many things we bump into in the world we live in.

Below are a few examples:

Studio Visitor  Mike Lewandowski

Percussionist Mike Lewandowski is an accomplished, drummer, composer and educator.  Mike is a veteran musician working in the North Country music scene and has sat behind the drum kit in many jazz ensembles, orchestras and regional bands, including the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, The Latin Funk Thugtet and Zip City Blues.

Mike currently teaches at the Alburgh School in Vermont.

Below is an example of one of Mike’s compositions, “Fizzy” , that he recorded at The Addition Studio along with Jack Woulfe (piano) and Russ Mulvey (bass).  Very fine brush work indeed!

Addition Studio Visitor,  Andy Gorton

Tracking live in the studio,  Andy Gorton and David Hughes recorded an EP to help promote their group, The Pitch Benders. The talented duo hail from Ticonderoga, NY and Rutland,  VT, where they frequent regional music venues, weddings and private functions.

The duo chose a nice simple production, with Andy on acoustic guitar and David on bass.  The example below features Andy solo with his guitar.

The second example is with David on bass and harmony vocals.

David Hughes

Addition Studio Visitors       Oh Betty! 

Oh Betty!….an entertaining, energetic and eclectic group led by the  original  pairing of Julie Canepa and Tim Hartnett.  Original tunes crafted with a great wit and lots of sardonic imagination.

Alongside lead vocalist and wordsmith, Julie Canepa,  is Tim Hartnett, long time veteran to the North Country music scene.  Tim has a long musical resume as vocalist, bass and guitar player with many bands through the years.

Supporting instrumentalists on this EP include: Mark Mastrean, Shawn Parrotte,  Junior Barber,  Skip Smithson,  Jeff Rendinaro, Rick Davies, and Herm Matlock.

Oh Betty!  Facebook page.

Addition Studio Visitor   Herm Matlock

Herm Matlock is a talented horn player, music teacher, director, performer, and he is currently teaching as an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as the North Country Community College in Saranac, NY.   His teaching credentials also include the Crane School of Music at Potsdam State University and  Franklin Academy in Malone, NY.

Herm has work with many jazz and pop luminaries, such as Clark Terry,  Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Aretha Franklin, and The Temptations.

Below is an example of Herm’s commanding and tasteful horn playing recorded at The Addition Studio.

Addition Studio Visitor Joan Crane

Joan Crane has been the shining example of delta blues finger picking in the Adirondack North Country since the late seventies. Her musical experience and discography is lengthy.

Joan also has the distinction of being one of the very few women to concentrate on the fingerpicking style of the traditional country blues artists of the ’20s and ’30s, including Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, and Robert Johnson.

Joan has performed for all the major guitar manufacturers at the National Guitar Luthier’s Symposium and placed in the statewide Indiana Blues Competition, being the only solo, only acoustic, and only female. Her guitar style ranges from the emotional Delta style to the  syncopated Piedmont style.

Above is a short sample of one of the tracks Joan recorded at The Addition Studio.

The Addition Studio Visitor: Gene White Jr.

Gene is the founder and director of music for the Vermont based Blue Grass Gospel Project. This traditional Bluegrass band has been performing through out New England for over a decade.

Extremely tight vocal harmonies and stellar musicianship make this band a must see.  Check out their recordings here.

The Addition Studio Visitor:  Rick Davies,  award winning trombone master and professor at SUNY Plattsburgh NY.  Rick is also a notable composer and arranger as well as fronting the Latin/Jazz group , Jazzismo.

Rick has had an extensive career with major artists in New York City and around the world. Artists he has worked with include Ray Vega, Wayne Gorbea, Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Wyclef Jean, Arrow, Manny Oquendo’s Libre, Blondie, and many others.  Check out Their Independent Award Winning CD, Salsa Norenta.

Visitor to The Addition Studio:  Bill Blough is the veteran bass player for George Thorogood and the Destroyers.  Bill’s career spans over 38 years touring with G.T. and the Destroyers.  Along the way, Bill and the band have released more than sixteen studio albums, including two that went platinum, six that went gold, and have sold 15 million albums worldwide. The band’s early success help launch the now iconic folk label, Rounder Records.

When Bill is not touring or recording with George and the Destroyers, he holds the bass chair with Zip City Blues.