Michael Paulo and Johnnie Bamont Featured
LOS ANGELES — (U.S. ASIAN WIRE) — Ripa Records announces the September 22nd, 2009 release of East Bay Soul, the debut album produced by trumpeter Greg Adams. Greg Adams, founding member of Tower of Power and legendary horn arranger, Adams’ signature sound and distinct arrangements made the group’s horn section a sought-out entity in its own right.
Greg Adams is also the music arranger for Japan recording artist Miwa Yoshida and the group Dreams Come True from 1995-2009. His contributions as producer and horn arranger have been sought out by instrumentalists and vocalists including Malta, Anri, Ammi Ozaki, Himoro, Wild Style, Shogo Hamada, Yasko Agawa, Yoicho Marata and Yamagen.
East Bay Soul is a combination of contemporary rhythms and sounds, a blend of instrumental soul funk and R&B vocals. Lead by trumpeter and Grammy® and Emmy® nominated Writer/Arranger Greg Adams, the band features an outstanding ensemble of multi-talented recording artists and musicians, each bringing their own style and musical achievements to this collaborative project.
Among the featured musicians are Filipino-Japanese saxophonist Michael Paulo and Filipino-Irish saxophonist Johnnie Bamont.
Michael Paulo, a native of Hawaii, is Filipino and Japanese and one of the most versatile and dynamic saxophonists in contemporary jazz, pop and soul today. In a career that spans over 30 years, Michael has recorded and toured with Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, Bobby Caldwell, and Johnny Mathis. Paulo’s solo career has garnered top ten hits on the contemporary jazz/NAC charts and Top 20 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart.
In 2008 Michael received the Bravo Award from the Asian American Symphony in recognition for his dedication and service in community affairs that lead to numerous contributions benefitting of the citizens of Los Angeles. Michael received special commendation from the Japanese Consulate General in Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles and California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Since 2004 Michael has been the Artist in Residence for The International Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia and Producer of the annual Temecula, Wine and Music Festival and this year became Producer of Smooth Jazz Nights, bringing the best in smooth jazz back to Hawaii.
Johnnie Bamont, multi-talented saxophonist and recording artist, a native of San Francisco is Filipino and Irish. His father is from Bayambang Pangasinan, Philippines. Johnnie has been singled out by 19 time Grammy® Award winning sound engineer Al Schmitt as having one of the best baritone sax tones he ever recorded. A San Francisco native who grew up in the musically diverse environment that the Bay Area offers, Johnnie had the opportunity to perform with numerous jazz, classical, Latin, R&B, and funk groups.
Johnnie tours constantly and has performed with many of the greatest artists ever including Boz Scaggs, The Temptations, Ben E. King, Huey Lewis and the News, Third World, Howard Tate, The Four Tops and Sly Stone. He has recorded with Celine Dion, Sammy Hagar, Chris Isaak, Todd Rundgren, Diane Schuur, Toni Tony Tone and Taylor Hicks, to name a few.
Johnnie has performed at the annual Nihonmachi Fair in San Francisco’s Japantown and in Hawaii has performed with artists Don Ho, Loyal Gardner & Melveen Leed. Through his father, Johnnie is involved with Filipino organizations including the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry, and the United Pangasinan association.
As part of the horn section, Paulo and Bamont will be featured throughout the record, as the CD is a horn-driven ensemble.
The track listing for East Bay Soul:
1. “Survival of the Hippest”
2. “Bop Drop”
3. “Reading Lips”
4. “Jump, Shout and Holler”
5. “What’s It Gonna Be”
6. “Always Take Two”
7. “iHope”
8. “Awaken”
9. “Stop”
10. “Five To Eleven”
11. “Someone New”
To pre-order an autographed copy of East Bay Soul’s CD visit EBS online at www.eastbaysoul.com or MySpace at www.myspace.com/eastbaysoul.
For more information or to schedule interviews with Michael Paulo and/or Johnnie Bamont please contact:
Andrea Adams
ALM Management Group
Phone: 818.609.9528
Email: andrea@almmanagement.com