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Joe
Krown - Keyboards
Joe Krown moved to New Orleans in 1992 after honing his keyboard skills in the Northeast. Since that time, he has built a strong reputation as first-call organist and pianist in the Crescent City. He won the 2001 Big Easy Award in the Blues category. He is an endorsee for Hammond Suzuki Keyboards. The Joe Krown Organ Combo released its latest CD, Funk Yard, in May 2002 at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Krown returns to the piano for his upcoming 2003 CD release, New Orleans Piano Rolls. Krown has held the keyboard chair with the Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Band since 1992, and is featured on the chart-topping The Man, Gate Swings, American Music, Texas Style and Back to Bogalusa albums. Since September 1996, he's held the Traditional Piano Night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans,which was once occupied by Professor Longhair and James Booker. Krown followed that strong tradition with his debut solo release Just the Piano...Just the Blues (1998). In 1998, he formed the Joe Krown Organ Combo, which makes regular appearances in New Orleans at such noted clubs as the Maple Leaf, House of Blues, and Storyville District. Krown's second STR release, Down & Dirty (1999), explores classic organ combo material reminiscent of Booker T., Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and others. Krown's Buckle Up (2000) follows his Down & Dirty release as another outing featuring his mighty Hammond B-3 organ. He called on the talents of the finest musicians in New Orleans to give life to this set of seven originals and four carefully selected standard organ tunes. Original Meters bassist George Porter, Jr. and Dr. John's drummer Herman Ernest form a solid and funky rhythm section for organist Krown, saxophonist Eric Traub and guitarists John Fohl and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown to cut loose with groovy melodies and strong solos. In 2000, Krown (on piano) joined forces with Jumpin' Johnny Sansone (harmonica and vocals) and John Fohl (guitar and vocals) to form Sansone, Krown, & Fohl, a delta blues trio that has been gaining notoriety and has landed an appearance at the 2001 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 1998, Krown released his STR debut Just the Piano...Just the Blues to rave revues. That recording captured one aspect of Joe's musical persona–solo piano in the boogie/blues style. With his second effort, Down & Dirty, he wanted to document another dimension in his musical style—the classic organ combo sound reminiscent of Booker T., Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, and Bill Doggit. Joe called on his bandmates from both Gatemouth Brown's band and the New Orleans swing group, Amy and the Hank Sinatras to lend their talent and songwriting skills to this project. The CD features mostly Krown originals with a couple of covers. Among the guest artists are Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Eric Traub, and Amy Adams. Since its release in April 1999, Down & Dirty received several excellent revues and the combo's shows have met with very enthusiastic audiences. NEW RELEASE! New Orleans Piano Rolls Krown has performed with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Johnny Adams, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Vassar Clemens, Marva Wright, The Platters, The Drifters, A.C. Reed, Big Time Sarah, and Jo-El Sonnier. Joe has held the keyboard chair for Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown since 1992. He played with Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson from 1989 - 1992. Luther was the lead guitar player for Muddy Waters from 1972 - 1979. Krown has recorded with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Kid Ramos (guitarist of the Fabuluos Thunderbirds), Bobby Charles, Raful Neal, Marva Wright and Amy and the Hank Sinatras. For more information re: Joe Krown's current tour schedule with all of his projects see www.joekrown.com |