Melvin Sparks - (click
here for a photo) - One of the most original and unique
of all modern jazz guitarists today. This native Houstonian
began his career touring with the Upsetters, the infamous backup
band for Little Richard, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson in the
fab 60's. He then moved to NYC and toured & recorded with
Brother Jack McDuff and Lou Donaldson where he teamed up with
Idris Muhammad, Grover Washington Jr, Charles Earland, Leon
Spencer Jr and many others. Along with these legendary cats,
Melvin pioneered what's now known as 'Soul Jazz' on numerous
classic recordings on Prestige and Blue Note records. He has
penned several Soul Jazz classics such as 'Texas Twister' and
'Spark Plug'. He now has a wonderful solo release on Savant
Records. Melvin's Gibson L-5 has teamed up with Ron Levy on
many critically acclaimed projects over the last 12 years. www.melvinsparks.com
Karl
Denson
- (click here for a photo)
- From southern California hails the hardest working/touring
Jazz saxophonist on the today's world-wide music scene. Prior
to his ever popular and current, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe,
Karl was a major contributor to The Greyboy Allstars and Lenny
Kravitiz's famous horn section in the 90's. His Alto, Tenor
saxophones and flute grace many recordings today, ranging from
Roy Hargrove and Stanton Moore to Gov't Mule. Karl recorded
2 Levy originals on his Blue Note debut 'Dance Lesson #2' [which
Lev handled B-3 & Wurlizter piano duties] and is another
integral contributor to the Wild Kingdom sessions. www.karldenson.com
Russ
Lawton - (click here
for a photo) - Of Salem Massachusetts on drums and percussion
has recorded and toured on Phish's Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon's
solo projects. It's been said; "Russ Lawton grooves like
a metronome on ginseng" and "this guy rides like a
good train ride" on their websites. Levy agrees 100%.
Adrome
"Acidman" MacHine
- (click here for a photo)
- Another southern California native, studied drums & percussion
at the University of Texas, Berklee School of Music & Julliard.
He has been on countless sessions and is one of the most sampled
drummers on the scene today. His steady groove, feel & time
is unparalleled. His true identity remains a mystery, refuses
to be photographed but will pose for drawings.
Arkady
Beletsky
- (click here for a photo)
- Began playing cello professionally at 5 years old! Arkady
received his Master's degree from the esteemed Gnesin Music
College in Moscow and founded, managed and performed in the
much celebrated, Renaissance Chamber Group touring Russia. In
1989 he emigrated to the USA, and has since performed in countless
solo and chamber groups everywhere and is a much sought after
teacher and educator. "He gently places a soulful teardrop
on every note he 'sings', with that ol' mellow cello of his."
says RLWK leader Levy.
Shawn
Moseley - Engineer/Associate producer and Levy's right-hand
recording man. Named 'Shawnileo' [as in Galileo] by Levy for
his multi-faceted mastery of classical & reggae piano styles,
engineering, teaching, technical guru-osity, computer skills
as well as any & everything thing else, except plumbing.
A native Hawaiian and gourmet chef, his self-built ultra-modern
studio, cool vintage equipment and hip ambience in Salem Mass,
he's the envy of all recording studios within a 200+ square-mile
radius. www.witchdoctorrecording.com
