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Rock 'N' Roll Acoustic Guitar From New Mexico
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Jason Riggs, to quote his press release, is a singer/songwriter who wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't afraid to sing about it. His debut CD, which Riggs co-produced, is entitled These Wheels, and features a collection of ten rock numbers dominated by Riggs' voice and acoustic guitar. Rather than recording his songs as he performs them (solo and acoustic), Riggs chose to use a full band, even including a bittersweet violin solo (played by Kiren Bahn) on the plaintive "Every Word". Highlights on These Wheels include the rockabilly ode to lust, "Tumble", the stark "Voices In The Wind", and the title track, which unflinchingly rocks with heart, soul and guts galore.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jason led a fairly normal life up until the age of five, when he happened to discover his parent's Elvis Presley records. This event, coupled with a high school career devoid of female attention could mean only one thing--a career as a musician and songwriter. Jason fronted the 'loud, electric' band Rumbleseat for two years before leaving to craft some accessible acoustic tunes. After a nine-month hiatus from live work, he is back playing solo in front of audiences. Jason counts Johnny Cash, the Ramones, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen among his many influences.
Riggs will be touring the east cost of the United States this summer and in the fall, expects to play live throughout the southwestern U.S.
Contact Information
B-I-N-G-O Recordings
P.O. Box 3238
Pueblo, CO 81005-0238
United States
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Original Jazz/Rock Arrangements Fuel New Release
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Scottish guitarist Gerry Magee has recently completed work on his debut solo album, entitled The Middle Pillar. The promo CD-R version of his release features rock/jazz arrangements as well as chamber orchestra, female choir and other instrumentation. Magee wrote, arranged, conducted, recorded, produced and packaged the release himself. The Middle Pillar is largely improvisational in its approach, incorporating plenty of flipped-out blasts of fusionry guitar playing over both avant-garde backing tracks ("Angel Dust"), jazz/funk ("Interterrestrial Tongues") and traditional crunch ("Sisterly Lust"). Magee exhibits some potential to leverage his compositional bent into film scoring or soundtrack work in the future.
Gerry has been teaching guitar privately for five years to students of all styles and abilities. Prior to recording The Middle Pillar, he performed as a guitarist and composer for the group Serenade on their second release, The 28th Parallel. Gerry attended Strathclyde University from 1994-1998 receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Music. He has also played in a Contemporary Classical Guitar Quartet, performing works by Hume, Debussy, Bach and Haydn, as well as performing the works of Miles Davis, Joe Satriani, Michael Hedges and others in solo guitar recitals.
Magee would like to achieve recognition as an all round musician as well as a guitarist, while continuing as a composer, marketing and releasing his own product. He would also like to become involved in session work and teaching at a national level.
Contact Information
Gerry Magee
11 Reelick Quadrant
Glasgow G13 4ND
Scotland
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
