Vizztone Recording Artists, the Skyla Burrell Band, are known for their passionate and high energy live shows.
The band released their debut studio CD, "Working Girl Blues" in 2004, containing 12 original songs. From that very 1st CD, Mark Tomlinson received an Honorable Mention for his track"Bad Dream" in the 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting Contest. In 2006 the band recorded and toured in Europe, and released their sophomore effort, "Livin' Day to Day". The band played 240 shows in 2006 and secured the #1 Top Booked Band slot on Sonicbids.
The band kept up their busy schedule (between 2006 and 2007 playing a total of 465 shows) and expanding their touring radius. In 2008 the Skyla Burrell Band released their third CD of all original material, "Tough Luck" . The band sold a track from "Tough Luck" to the producers of the CBS/CBC drama "The Bridge, which aired over the spring in Canada and was the #1 rated drama, and made its US debut in the late summer.
"Real Love" the band's 4th studio CD was released in the early Fall of 2011 containing 14 new original tracks and saw the band touring extensively and working hard. With 2012 came more tours up and down the East Coast and recognition within the Blues Industry with an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame representing Pennsylvania.
In 2014 the band returned to the recording studio for their 5th studio CD titled "Blues Scars" and signed with the VizzTone Label Group. Blues Scars was released on October 7, 2014 to critical acclaim. As with all Skyla Burrell Band releases, 'Blues Scars' contains all original material written by Skyla and Mark. In September of 2014 the band signed exclusively with Road Dawg Touring Co to represent all bookings world-wide.
In 2015, the band toured the US and Canada and are currently writing the new CD in addition to touring. Look for the new CD Fall of 2016!
Skyla Burrell
Skyla Burrell was born in Los Angeles and raised in Orange County, California. Skyla formed her first band at the age of 13 and has been a working musician ever since. Skyla played with several bands as a teenager and young adult, working her way up and down Southern California. She relocated to the East Coast in her early 20's where she continued learning and growing from her musical experiences and eventually co-forming the Skyla Burrell Band. In addition to her singing, writing and guitar duties, Skyla also plays the piano.
Mark Tomlinson
Mark Tomlinson first hit the Blues scene in Syracuse NY, starting his musical journey on the drums. By the age of 21, MT joined Syracuse locals the Kingsnakes and hit the road with John Lee Hooker. After thousands of gigs on the drums backing the likes of Bo Diddley, Bobby Radcliffe, Big Time sarah, Mike Dugan & the Blues Mission, Charlie Hilbert & the NYC Blues Blazers and Katherine davis, MT grabs the guitar and Blazes up some Hard Drivin' Blues riffs with the Skyla Burrell Band. MT's original style comes from the likes of his idols--Magic Slim, Magic sam, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Jimmy Vaughn, Ronnie Earl and the three Kings. In 2002 Mark and Skyla co-founded the Skyla Burrell Band and recorded 4 cds of all originals written by Mark & Skyla. MT and his Stratocaster are Blazing Blues trails with Skyla and her Telecaster, welding their guitars on stage and where ever the Blues will take them in the 21st Century.
Ezell Jones
Ezell Jones has toured the globe playing with world-class blues artists. He's been with the Skyla Burrell band since 2004.
Charlie Hilbert
Charlie Hilbert has been in the blues game for 40 years and toured all over the world. He's recorded on the prestigious Spivey Label and on the Modern Blues Harmonica Label. Charlie is the newest member of the Skyla Burrell Band.