Jam Camp
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Way Cool Improvisations
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Tossing together elements of jazz, jam and progressive/psychedelic rock, Jam Camp has released Live, a CD packed with seventy minutes of way cool improvisations with two guitarists - David Broyles and Michael "Smitty" Smith (wonder where he got that nickname?) Recorded over three days of performances - April 1, June 2, and July 24, 2006 - this Washington band transports you to front row center as you enjoy their many flights of fancy. Plenty of Steven Munger's saxophone soloing can also be heard, but since he's outnumbered 2 to 1 by the six-stringers - well, you do the math. Live will give your judgmental, pigeonholing, been-there-done-that, deja vu psyche a good kick in the rear, as you come to the realization that there are still players out there doing what comes best - ignoring trends and having fun making music.
A passion for making music and sharing the experience with good friends was the impetus that began the regular studio-based jam sessions that evolved into Jam Camp. From a fluid line-up of awesome NW musicians, a stable and startlingly original ensemble emerged and was officially dubbed Jam Camp in 1989. This is a band that creates musician's music: fusionesque rock improv in the vein of The Allman Brothers, Zappa, Crimson, Soft Machine, Brand X and Traffic. Jam Camp grooves, embracing a "live" feel-based approach to music appealing to fans of Prog, Rock, Jazz and Jam alike. The real thing - "Super Session" magic like you used to hear when rock experimentation was mainstream fare.
Enjoy a band that really enjoys music. Experience synchronous musical epiphany.
MP3 Songs
Wormhole
Paper Walls
Contact Information
Jam Camp Entertainment
24203 48th Place SW
Vashon, WA 98070
United States
E-mail:
Jam Camp
Web site:
www.jamcamp.com
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Rock-N-Van
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Rollin' Down The Highway
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Ready to have a good time? How about a rockin' good time, rollin' down the highway in a tricked out van - in this case, Rock-N-Van, driven by guitarist and vocalist Van Johnson. He's loaded up his new CD, Ready Or Not, with homegrown, high-energy southern rock, country rock, roots, blues rock and surf rock full of grits. Ten tracks are featured, all originals, and Johnson follows a mantra of keep-it-simple, as the guitar tends to do all the takin' when the vocals ain't squawkin'. Check out "Ready Or Not", "There's A New Little Kitten In Town" and "Hold On" as some of the highlights on the album - which holds appeal to fans of the types of music that Johnson has cobbled together and/or used as influences.
Van first got the guitar bug after catching a video of the Stray Cats on MTV. He knew then that was the direction he wanted to take his music - with more guitar and less of the '80s electronic synth stuff that was going on at the time. It was about this time that Van met up with a young blues guitarist, Bernard Allison. Bernard had just left the Koko Taylor Band and was forming his own band. Van joined up and they did tunes by SRV, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Luther Allison, Albert King and some Bernard Allison originals. He got to meet both Stevie Ray Vaughan and Luther Allison. However, Bernard eventually went to Europe to play in his father's band, and Van stayed home to raise a family and play in local bands.
Johnson is currently playing in a trio called 3Play, and also doing some solo gigs as Rock-N-Van. The kids are raised, the guitars are dusted off, and he's playing, writing, and ready to roll wherever this thing takes him...
MP3 Songs
Ready Or Not
There's A New Little Kitten In Town
Contact Information
Van Johnson
10502 W. Riekena Rd.
Mapleton, IL 61547
United States
E-mail:
Rock-N-Van
Web site:
www.rock-n-van.com
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