NIK WEST

With credits that include work for artists such as, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, Prince, John Mayer, and most recently, Glee, bassist, singer and songwriter Nik West is anything more than just another pretty face. Noted music journalist Alex Henderson (Billboard) sums West’s incredible talent up saying “Nik West is one 21st Century artist who isn’t lacking in the chops department.”

“She is a 24 year old, young electric bassist who clearly knows her way around her instrument and plays like she has been inspired by the funky likes of Larry Graham, Louis Johnson (of Brothers Johnson fame) and Marcus Miller. Nik West is also a highly expressive singer and is one of the few artists that can sing a soft and smooth jazzy vocal as well as a raspy high pitched rock vocal.”

West’s musical journey began in her hometown, Phoenix, AZ. It was there that her father —an accomplished guitarist—taught her how to play the rhythm guitar when she was just 13-years-old. Growing up in a household filled with music and creativity. West’s family includes her sisters (keys, drums, violin, and guitar) who were her first band and singing act, and an older brother, a few of which she still records with today.

Though she began her musical journey playing the guitar, the left-handed phenom truly realized her calling when she discovered the bass in high school while listening to Michael Jackson’s “You Wanna Be Startin Somethin”. After discovering the instrument there was no stopping her.

Music was not the only area West excelled in. The accomplished runway and print model and musician was a straight A student in high school and a track and field state record holder. She’s so passionate about calculus that she has a blog dedicated to her love for it. Unfortunately for the universities that offered her scholarships for her mind and athletic acumen, West chose music as her career path.

Although West’s father taught her and her siblings how to sing at a young age she has always considered herself more of a bassist than a singer. So much so that she intended for her debut album— Just in the Nik of Time —to be an instrumental project. “The producer I was working with, told me I have a wonderful voice and I need to sing,” says West. “I ended up doing it and I kind of like it now.”
While working on her first album “Just In The Nik Of Time”, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics also became acquainted with West’s work, fell in love with her soulful voice, and reached out to her to work with him on several projects. Within days she was performing with Stewart in Los Angeles to capacity crowds. Days later she also began working with Stewart and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette, George Strait, and Michael Jackson) on a recording project. Since then, Nik has accompanied, recorded with, and jammed with a few well-known artists, such as Prince, John Mayer, Marcus Miller, and more. Her talent has even peaked the attention of Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler, and Flea (RHCP). “Nik West is definitely bringing back the funk groovement and I love everything about what she stands for!” -Bootsy Collins 

Before gracing the covers of Bass Musician Magazine and being featured in Bass Player, Bass Quarterly Germany, and Bass Magazine Japan, West’s skill was noticed early on by legendary music company, Fender. They took notice of her standout voice and funky bass playing and offered her an artist endorsement. She was also one of the first musicians to play Fender’s first 6-string bass. West’s string of accomplishments continued as she was selected to endorse SWR’s Black Beauty Amplifiers. The photo of West that is featured in the SWR advertisement was hand selected by legendary bassist Marcus Miller.  “Any time someone is called by Prince AND the Musical Director for Michael Jackson (Michael Bearden), you just know they have to be something special!”

Nik is the face of a brand new line of basses called the Dimension Bass that Fender came out with in 2013.. She was a partner in helping to develop the bass. She is also the brainchild behind the Queen of Strings Competition, discovering, inspiring and teaching young women self esteem and discipline on an instrument. To find out more, visit www.queenofstrings.com

THE JIMMYS

Madison blues Powerhouse The Jimmys comes at you with the Midwest’s finest talent. “2011 WAMI Best Keyboardist” Jimmy Voegeli brings his vocal and compositional talents to the forefront of the band. Supported by blues Icon Perry Weber (guitar) and Rock and Roll drumming legend Mauro Magellan (Georgia Satellites) the band would seem complete, but fan favorite Johnny Wartenweiler rounds out this all star rhythm section on bass. The Jimmys sound comes from the horn section led by Pete Ross (Alto Sax) and Darren Sterud (Trombone) with Chad Whittinghill (Trumpet) and Bryan Husk (Bari/Tenor Sax). These four musicians have shared the stage with : Clyde Stubblefield “The Original Funky Drummer”, BB King, Roscoe Mitchell, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Davina And The Vagabonds, Pinetop Perkins, and Trombone Shorty. Where ever you are, when this band comes to town, they come to party. You won’t want to miss them, otherwise you’ll feel that “hole in your soul”

Killer horns, greasy guitars, funky keys, and a rhythm section with the heart and soul the size of Brazil. This is a GREAT band that plays blues and everything else between. I would take them into the studio and record with them anytime. They're a "goodin" Get ready for The Jimmys
Bryan Lee - New Orleans based singer, songwriter; an iconic figure in the Blues world.

“Can't beat the Jimmys for non-stop excitement. There's not a better band on the scene. Blazing horns and virtuosos at every position. Voegeli  is super on vocals and keys with charisma and charm in bandleader role. They absolutely killed this year at the Willy St. Fair. I'd hire them again in a minute."
Bob Queen - Marquette Neighborhood Association Event Coordinator.

“The Jimmys are a powerhouse aggregation - red-hot keyboards & taut guitar licks fueled by a killer horn section, generating an exhilarating mix of roadhouse blues & raucous rock-n-roll."
Mark Thompson-President of the Crossroads Blues Society.

”The Jimmys are a foot-tapping, well connected blues band! This band opened up our 19th annual Big Bull Falls Blues Fest and the crowd asked for more. This band is a “must have” for any music festival!”
Terry Sturm - President, Wausau Area Events and Blues Fest Committee

“Whether you’re a Blues fan or not, Jimmy Voegeli is always fun to watch and a pleasure to listen.” 
Dan Baird; Singer songwriter (front man for the Georgia Satellites) producer.

STEFAN GEISINGER

“Blues music can be sad, but can also be about love, happiness, and healing the spirit. When I’m playing Blues, it’s as if the music completely consumes me.” ~ Stefan Geisinger

After hearing B.B. King live at the Regal, a then-17 Geisinger picked up a guitar and dug deep into the roots of Blues music. “Something touched me. King’s impassioned voice and guitar playing made me tear up. I still get the same feeling when listening to - or performing - Blues today.”

Geisinger, a native of Rice Lake, WI, honed his guitar skills for eight years; at age 23, ready to bring his distinctive style to live audiences, he formed The Stefan Geisinger Band with Buck Barrickman (The Pumps, “Cover To Cover”) and Travis Nocolai (Big Back Yard; Greg Gilbertson, “Surviving The Echoes”).

“When performing, I try to entice people to experience the same emotions I am. Playing Blues is the only means I have to share emotions with an audience. Music, to me, can express a happiness so intense that it makes you cry. For me, music is a feeling.”

The Stefan Geisinger Band plays recognizable covers from Blues guitar greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, and Howling Wolf, as well as original tunes.

“I write songs about current situations going on around me - the good and the bad. Whenever I’m experiencing a heightened mood, I pick up my guitar, put pencil to paper, and just let the words flow through me. Writing songs and expressing myself through both my lyrics and my guitar is like a double-whammy; I get to share my feelings with the world by combining words with music.”

Geisinger’s expressive and skillful - not to mention spirited - performances have drawn rave reviews from audiences. Listeners often remark that there seems to be an old soul inhabiting such a relatively young Blues artist.

“When performing, I feel free. All worries slip away as they come out through my guitar. I close my eyes, and I’m transported to a different world. I hope to do that for listeners.”

Bassist Barrckman - a TNB veteran who also played with Tommy Tutone’s backup band, says, “Audiences love what Stefan has put together for this kick-butt, rockin’ Blues band.”

With a strong jazz background, drummer Nicolai brings a unique finesse to the mix. Nicolai is no stranger to live music performance, having appeared at both Country Jam and Country Fest, as well as the Northern Wisconsin State Fair.

“I just want people to feel their own emotions when they listen to my music,” says Geisinger. “It’s all about sharing the feeling. If someone listens to my song and feels something… mission complete.”

facebook.com/StefanGeisingerBand

-written by Anastasia Vishnevsky

THE LAMONT CRANSTON BAND

From the rural hometown settings of Hamel, Minnesota and the river banks of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the blues influence surfaced as early as the mid 1960's for what was to become "The Lamont Cranston Blues Band". By 1969, The Lamont Cranston Blues Band was well on their way to becoming the legend that it is today. You can't seem to go anywhere today from coast to coast without running into someone that has heard of the band. They are one of the founders of the Minneapolis music scene which is flourishing more than ever to this day.

From the clubs, concert halls and festivals to the auditoriums and stadiums, the Cranstons have shared the bill with Muddy Waters, Luther Allison, Albert King, Albert Collins, Jimmy Rogers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Charles Brown, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Thackery, Junior Wells, Keb Mo, Jonny Lang, Robert Cray, Son Seals, Charlie Musselwhite, Sam Lay, Earl King, Mighty Joe Young, Sugar Blue, Otis Rush, Elvin Bishop, Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts, Little Feat, Mick Fleetwood's Blue Whale featuring Ron Thompson, Delbert McClinton, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, Kim Wilson, William Clarke, Tinsley Ellis, The Climax Blues Band, Tower Of Power, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Animals II, Kansas, Yes, Jeff Healy, Wilson Pickett, Bonnie Raitt, The Blues Brothers and many many more. One of the biggest thrills was opening for The Rolling Stones on a leg of their North American tour in 1981.

Their visibility increased in the 1980's when RCA reissued the band's smash hit release "Upper Mississippi Shakedown", selling over 100,000 copies and cracking the lower reaches of the Billboard charts.

Lead singer, guitarist and harmonica giant, Pat 'Lamont' Hayes has also enjoyed his own success touring with Bonnie Raitt as a member of her band on her 1990 "Nick Of Time" tour; blowing harmonica duets with Charlie Musselwhite in Minneapolis and during a 1994 Hollywood trip after Pat received an invitation from Dan Aykroyd to be a special guest performer at a private pre-grand opening bash at Dan's new 'House Of Blues' nightclub, where he performed with Charlie and his band the first night and with The Blues Brothers band the next. Pat has been hailed by Bonnie, Dan and many others as being one of the best harmonica players around. Dan even called on the boys to play the grand opening of his new Chicago House Of Blues in November 1996, Cleveland in 2004 and Atlantic City in 2005.

The Cranston hit 'Excusez Moi, Mon Cheri' (written by Pat's brother Larry Hayes) was recorded by The Blues Brothers on the flipside of their 1979 hit "Soul Man", as well as on the soundtrack of the Tom Davis-Al Franken movie "One More Saturday Night", along with their biggest hit "Upper Mississippi Shakedown".

lamontcranston.com