MAY 2013

Heli LanzArtist Website

All Strummed OutArtist Website

Billy CioffiArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

JUNE 2013

Tyler NielsonArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Baby! It's the BluesArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Mike MaleckarArtist Website

Tyler NielsonArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Erick HasbunArtist Website

Notes from Neptune!Artist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

JULY 2013

Erick HasbunArtist Website

All Strummed OutArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Erick HasbunArtist Website

Wesley RingelArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Staron & Warner MusicArtist Website

All Strummed OutArtist Website

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Notes from Neptune!Artist Website

AUGUST 2013

Ivan HarshmanArtist Website

Staron & Warner MusicArtist Website

Notes from Neptune!Artist Website

BLUE ADOBE GRILLE TALENT

Everyones Favorite Duo, playing at the Blue for over 7 years...

Bobby Brooks came to the Valley of the Sun in late '91 in the off season as a Professional Baseball Umpire. He started working for the Fabulous Bailey Boys karaoke company to make ends meet and soon realized that the music business was an industry he wanted to work in for a living. In '94, while still traveling through-out the U.S. as an umpire, Bobby managed to start a karaoke retail business with former Fabulous Bailey Boy, Jack Bailey, and started his own company, UR Entertainment. It didn't take long for the business to build, and in '96 Bobby retired from baseball. In addition to Bobby's Karaoke/DJ company, he also been on a radio commercial singing a national jingle for the USDA public safety campaign released on TV commercials and national radio spots.

Whether it's playing with, 'ALL STRUMMED OUT', singing karaoke, volunteering for Kyrene De las Brieses Elementary School drama/music club, or just out at one of live music venues, you'll always see Bobby's smiling face around music.

Scott E. Nowak - Guitarist/ Vocalist

I was born & raised in the great city of Chicago (birth date is not necessary, we all know I'm an old guy)

 I started playing guitar at 7 years old on a Kay acoustic guitar, that my mom got for me with grocery store trading stamps (I still have that guitar).

 I joined my 1st band when I was 10yrs. old (with some schoolmates of my older sister)

 When I was 12, my band started playing at church picnics & 8^th grade dances

 At the age of 14, I joined the Gordon Tech High School Jazz Band as well as playing guitar for various musical plays (like “Godspell)

 At 17 years of age I joined a country/rock band called Desperado & started playing in bars (the other guys in the band were older & the drinking age was 18)

 When I turned 19 I joined my first road band called “Chimo“ (Eskimo for “friend”)

 I’ve played in various road bands since then, most notably, a Vegas show band called The Earl Turner Group

 At 26 years of age, I got off the road & moved back to Chicago to play with the Joe Contaffio Band

 With the Joe Contaffio Band, I played outdoor festivals backing up many legendary artists of the 50’s & 60’s: Tommy James, Del Shannon, Alex Chilton (the Box Tops), the Coasters & the Drifters

 Also while playing in bar bands I have been fortunate enough to have “jammed” with other legendary musicians, such as Sugar Blue (harmonica) & Jaco Pastorius (bass)

 At the age of 27, I started producing recordings for local Chicago bands & learning to be a recording engineer

 In 1992 I moved to Mesa, AZ. & started playing in local bands & working at Apache Tracks Studio

 I’ve played guitar in many local Arizona bands: Gigi Dixon Band, Tina Bailey Band,Colleen Callahan Band, Richard Dean's Blues Machine, Shaker, Stereoblitz etc.

 My current bands are:

All Strummed Out (with Bobby Brooks) -acoustic guitar & vocals

Chuck E. Baby & the Allstars -lead guitar & vocals

Once a month, Michael entertains us with the Blues....Nobody leaves the Blue until you sing the Blues.

Billy Cioffi, 35-year veteran of the grueling and magnificent Los Angeles music scene, was born in Albany, NY. At age 16 he was signed with his band, The Grey Things, to Laurie Records and toured as the opening act of musical icons (The Allman Brothers, The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, the Lovin Spoonful, and The Rascals).
Afterwards, Cioffi relocated to Los Angeles to play and record with rockabilly legend Gene Vincent, Sir Douglas Sham, along with various other session players for RCA Records. He joined the band Hokus Pokus and released one album. Then he busied himself with session work and songwriting chores for various groups like The Hello People. Working as staff songwriter, Cioffi was asked to form a band with Euro trash Detroit legend Scott Richardson to inaugurate the comeback of Phil Spectors legendary vocalist Darlene Love for a New Years Eve show. This was the debut of the Monte Carlos, and it was to shape Cioffis musical career for the next decade.
The band, with Cioffi as its guitarist/ leader, were bombarded with offers to tour and record with the greatest of Rocks legends : Chuck Berry; Ben E King; Lesly Gore... Many artists would often demand promoters fly the Monte Carlos thousands of miles to get the sound that only them could deliver. Cioffi also enjoyed 5 memorable years as musical director for the New York City Doo Wop Shows at Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. During this time, Cioffi formed a special bond with the late and R&R Hall of Fame inductee Del Shannon. The Montes became Dels band of choice, performing on his last recordings.
Along the way Cioffi performed as a guitarist for Turtles gigs while working with Mark Volman, Mitch Ryder and guitar legend Steve Hunter. He continued writing and placed compositions in a number of films and TV shows. He also recorded a solo album « Dangerous Type » (a Billboard Pick), along with two Monte Carlos CDs titled « The Monte Carlos and American Episodes », both making semifinals in 4 Grammy categories.
Now relocated in Phoenix (AZ) Billy Cioffi mentors several promising talented artists in close relationship with Olivier Zahm (Electric Lotus Music) and dedicates himself to AmeriCamera.

Bob Villa is best known for having over 600 musical selections for our guests to choose.  Acoustical music that is a back drop to an amazing dinner.  I have been booking Bob for next to ten years, but he has sadly moved on to another state.  Come see this him in a rare performance at The Blue.  Easily my single most requested artist in my career.

Personal History
A Native American and native Arizonan, Bob was born August 4, 1960, on the Gila River Pima reservation southeast of Phoenix. He grew up in and around Coolidge, Arizona, graduating from Coolidge High School in 1979. He attended American Indian College in Phoenix, pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry, and Grand Canyon University, also in Phoenix, studying Music Education and receiving formal voice training.

Penny hails from Lenoir City in East Tennessee, but also calls Richmond, Indiana, home. She learned piano as a child, and grew up singing in church and school choirs and ensembles. She lends harmony to Bob's melodies.

Musical History
Bob has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old. His over 30 years of experience is evidenced by his eclectic styles and ease with the instrument. Bob has been involved in church music for many years and served as worship leader at various churches, conventions, and convocations. He has made appearances on Christian television and done gospel and worship music recordings. In March of 2001, while on staff at American Indian College, he produced a live worship CD, writing much of the music himself and performing it along with the student praise bands.

In 2004, Bob and Penny began performing at Phoenix-area venues. Since October of 2005 they have traveled the country as full-time performing musicians, playing, among other places, the Texas Hill Country (an area known for its music appreciation) and Music City, Nashville, TN. Listeners enjoy their smooth performances on cover tunes, but especially Bob's original music, much of which is influenced by his Southwestern and Native American roots. Bob released 2 CD's during the winter of 2004/2005 containing, with the exception of one song, all original music. He has made 4 appearances on Good Morning Arizona, a Phoenix morning news program. Bob won The Proof Is In The Pudding solo artist competition at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix in 2005. He went on to perform at Alice Cooper's Christmas show held at the Dodge Theater along with Alice himself, STYX, Don Felder of the Eagles, and many other world-class musicians. During 2006 & 2007, Bob & Penny enjoyed a 4-month run at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, NM. In 2008 he received a callback at the National audition level for the Nashville Star TV show. Though he was not ultimately chosen for the show, he wrote a funny, tongue-in-cheek song about his audition experiences. That single enjoyed airplay on over 30 radio stations in 12 states.

Musical Repertoire & Influences
The Villa's repertoire is eclectic and constantly growing and includes pop jazz standards like Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon and All Of Me and Nat King Cole's Mona Lisa and When I Fall In Love. They convincingly cover Jim Croce tunes Don't Mess Around With Jim, Time In A Bottle, etc., James Taylor hits like Fire and Rain and Handy Man, Elvis favorites such as Teddy Bear and Hound Dog, and a Beatles lineup that spans the early 60's to the mid 70's. Bob's influences include modern jazz guitarists Charlie Smith and George Benson; rock legends Eric Clapton and Neil Young and bands Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Doobie Brothers; blues artists Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King; and Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Mac Powell, and Petra in the Christian music arena. Bob loves country music, a love planted and fostered by his mother, and expresses that love by passionately covering classics by Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc., as well as modern tunes by Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, and others.

 Upon first meeting singer/songwriter Colton Avery, one can't help but notice his kind and polite demeanor. His quiet confidence and respectful manner give him the appearance of a gentleman straight from the 50's. But don't let this gentle fasaude fool you. Colton Avery is all but ordinary.

From his first words being a complete sentence, to his first steps being him running across the living room floor, Colton has always seemed to possess abilities and wisdom well beyond his years. Needless to say, music was no exception. At age 13 he picked up the guitar. 3 lessons and 1 shocked guitar teacher later, Colton was off learning entire albums, the first being 3 Doors Down's “Away From the Sun.” At age 16 he wrote his first 2 songs “Madison” and “Ones Like Me” and by age 19 was gaining attention from some of LA's top producers including Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, etc.) and Mikal Blue (Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillet, One Republic). All of which are instantly comparing him to legendary artists such as James Taylor, Nick Drake, and Jim Croce. Terry Anzaldo of Good Guy Entertainment writes, “He's like John Mayer, only better!”

Now at age 22, Colton Avery continues to amaze everyone around him and with his debut album “Waves” is ready to take his career to new heights. Not getting a chance to hear Colton Avery would be a tragic mistake. People are ready for Colton Avery. The world truly needs to hear him play.

Erick Teaches guitar and voice at Kirk's Studio for Performing Arts. We look forward to hearing his talents at The Blue!

Heli Lanz is a singer songwriter from Tempe Arizona. His band, 36 Cents and a Dream, has been playing here in the valley of the sun since 2004 under different names. His bluesy, soulful style captivates audiences wherever he performs. Fans all over the state voted on AZCentral.com in 2010 to label them, “local band to be next big thing”. The same year, the band enjoyed some success with their first record “Long Ride Home” released in March 2010. Their second and very anticipated album will be out by summer 2013. Most recently they were voted “best local band” by the East Valley Tribune readers in the Best of 2012 edition. As a solo performer Heli is able to be a one man band using looping pedals to create unique and improvised versions of songs that everyone knows. Find him on Facebook, ReverbNation, Myspace, YouTube, and always on www.36centsandadream.com. To see a 10 minute clip of the fellas in the studio go the www.therecordingartist.com and find the section labeled 36 Cents and a Dream. See you at the show...

			Ivan Harshman was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. He started playing guitar and writing songs at age fourteen. At age fifteen he took on bass playing and singing. From early on Ivan was playing the local Toledo music scene, playing with such bands as The Kind, whom he toured the Great Lakes Region with in 1995. Ivan moved to Arizona in 1996, where he collaborated with good friend and fellow songwriter Pete Thelen. The September 2000 issue of ‘Blues Revue’ magazine called Thelen and Harshman’s song “Heal TV” the “Best Cut” on the album “Blues Today, Vol.2”, with Harshman’s gritty vocals being touted as the highlight of the track. “Heal TV” has awarded them radio play on three continents. Then with his band the, Elliots, was signed in 2004 with Viastar Records and toured for 2 years promoting their albums. While in Arizona, Ivan has shared the bill with such acts as David Crosby, Little Feat, Delbert McClinton, Cake, Poe, Better than Ezra, Sugar Ray, Gavin DeGraw, The Samples, The Gin Blossoms, Ian Moore, Keb’ Mo’, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Carl Palmer, Charlie Musselwhite, The Zombies, and more. Ivan  is currently working on his 5th album and performing his orginal music as well as tasty covers of loved music, in the U.S and abroad. For more information please go to: IvanHarshman.com

Mark was born in 1968 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  He became interested in guitar and music at the age of 16.  Mark is a self- taught guitarist/vocalist whose musical style has evolved over the years.

Mark specializes in performing cover songs and his musical style is extremely eclectic/versatile and varies from classic rock, modern rock, alternative rock, folk, country, and indie rock.   Currently Mark has well over 250 songs that he performs live.  Some of Marks musical influences are Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), Neil Young, Damien Rice, Adele, Glen Hansard, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Chris Cornell (Audio Slave), Garth Brooks, and Rascal Flats.

For the past twelve years Mark has been performing acoustic guitar and vocal acts throughout the valley.  He has performed at different venues such as The Royal Palms, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix Country Club, Troon Golf Resorts, Oktoberfest, and various musical festivals to name a few.  Mark can also be seen at local bars/restaurants throughout the valley such as The Herb Box DC Ranch, Isabella's Kitchen Grayhawk Golf Club, Kona Grill, Venue’s Café, Cantina Laredo, Fatso’s Pizza, Twisted Lizard, Buffalo Chip Saloon, Long Branch Saloon, and Lush Burger to mention a few.  Mark also plays at private and corporate functions.

BiBio              Bio

                        At the age of five my parents got me started with piano lessons, which went very well until we moved from Warwick N.Y. to Nazareth P.A.  I was 10 when we moved and were unable to find a good fit for a new piano teacher.  I played here and there but got more involved with sports at that age.  At age 15 I had an incredible music teacher who got me involved with music again.  I played vibraphone and marimba in the Winter Wind Ensemble, and along with four classmates began the NDHS Percussion Ensemble.  At 17, I took private lessons on piano through Moravian University, and began teaching myself to play guitar.  I had planned on studying Music Therapy at Slippery Rock University but never graduated.  At age 18 my Father passed away from a sudden heart attack, two weeks before I left for college.  My Mother was left alone and ended up moving closer to family in Arizona, where I joined her in 2008.  Continuing my studies at Chandler Gilbert Community College I met a talented drummer and began a reggae band, The Morning After.  Through that experience I met many people, played many stages, and made music with many friends.  The band split in 2011, and a year later I began playing solo gigs with my acoustic guitar.  Things have been going great since then, with a residency at Cadillac Ranch in Tempe Marketplace, and multiple shows a month at the Artisan Markets in Scottsdale and World of Beer in Tempe to name a few.  Currently I am trying to play for as many people as possible in order to gain a better understanding of music and its relationship with us all.  I am very excited for my future and hope that you become a part of it!

Get a sitter, these guys are AMAZING!

Notes From Neptune is often described as a musical journey.  While they have a blast performing.  You will like the way you fell when listening to them.  The band is comprised of Scott a Nylon String Guitarist and Thomas a Saxophonist.  Both of which have amazing vocals.  They will take you back to 80's Classic Rock with Pink Floyd and The Doors and bring out the Motown Soul with Bill Withers and James Brown.  They like to go mordern with a little John Mayer and Gnarls Barkley and even swing the jazz a bit with Michael Buble and Louis Armstrong.  Then there are their Originals!!!  Both Scott and Thomas are phenonminal musicians having each played over 20 years.

Ronnie is an amazing acoustical guitarist and vocal talent. Band mate of Ivan Harshman of The Rig. $10 off bottles of wine with the Purchase of 2 entrees.

Picked from the neighborhood.  Acoustical Duo!

Genre: Acoustic / Alternative / Pop

Performing original compositions and playfully repurposed covers

Influences include but are not limited to; The Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Sam Cooke, Incubus, Pearl Jam, The Doors, Elvis Costello, Chet Baker, and Radiohead

I got my start playing coffee shops and school auditoriums as a teenaged grunge wanna-be. I then started a band with some of my best friends called We Drink Rain that played all-ages shows at venues like The Mason Jar and The Nile Theatre.
By graduation, our band We Drink Rain had released two self-financed albums and played a show at Mesa Amphitheater.

While at ASU, I wanted to get more serious about songwriting and began performing strictly acoustic shows.
Got my first paying weekly gig at Ruby Tuesdays on Mill Ave and also built a solid following Monday nights at the Blue Agave Open Mic Night in Old Town Scottsdale.

Moved around, wrote a screenplay, met a girl, fell in love, and we had a baby boy (insert eighties montage here). Fatherhood rocks by the way!

So now I play the songs I love and songs I wrote for new crowds several nights a week while I work towards happy family days and recording that album that changes a few lives for the better!

Wes is the “piano man...with a guitar in his hand!” A self-taught musician, he grew up with bands like the Beatles and The Who before really discovering the great rock and more innovative artists of the 90’s. Learning to play drums and guitar proficiently in his early teens, he was “that guy in the band” all the way until college. From Bucks County Community College to the well-known Hampshire College in Massachusetts, he studied Classical music, finishing with a degree in Vocal Performance and Composition, and having studied voice with one of the great opera singers in the New England area, Alan Schneider. He has been teaching voice lessons for the past 3 years privately.