Boston Slang

Boston Slang is a 4 piece band specializing in concert quality classic rock, blues, and funk. Even though we are technically a cover band, we perform songs with our own inimitable style and energy.  All of the musicians in the band have years of experience performing in all different styles of music.  You can listen to audio clips at http://myspace.com/bostonslang

Contact us if you want to bring the best in classic rock, blues and funk to your venue. Click here for a sample of our constantly growing song list.
 

Suzanne Buell  (in her own words)

I started singing in nightclubs at the age of 12. My older brother, who is a drummer, encouraged me, snuck me in, and I got up and sang in whatever style band he was playing in at the time. His love was jazz, so I was introduced to improvisation as a way of my musical life. I sang with country, and R & B bands all while still in high school.

Throughout my life, I have always sung in a schooled /trained environment at the same time I was singing popular styles of music. While it might seem like a contradiction in styling and technique, I seemed to benefit from pursuing both simultaneously. I was very active in choral and solo performing in high school, and continued that path into college.

One summer I was introduced to Marvin Gaye’s producer, Ed Townsend, and he signed me to an artist contract with Stax Records. We recorded material in LA, New York and in Memphis. I made a decision that summer to move to Memphis instead of returning to Boston to college. The Stax deal never got off the ground, with the company folding soon after my signing.

Throughout the 29 years I spent in Memphis, I fronted several local bands as well as touring the U.S. for a year. The bands have opened for the Manhattans, Edgar Winter, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, to name a few. I recorded several local commercials in local studios, as well as doing jingles with the Tanner Company, a nationally known media production company. I performed in a musical theater production and spent 7 years performing with the Memphis Symphony Chorus, both ensemble and solo. I performed for many years on Beale St., in clubs as well as being part of the house band for national blues competitions.

 

Kevin O'Connell


Kevin started playing bass in 1973. He's played in several rock bands in the Providence, RI scene. Kevin was the original bass player for the popular Providence based "COD Blues Band" which formed in the late 1970's.

He continued to play on and off with COD until 1990. Kevin also played in "Smokeshop", a very popular Providence based disco/funk band in the early 80's.

After taking a short break from playing, Kevin met up with Larry V in late 2003, joining "RhythmStix." Kevin and Larry continued to play together even after the group decided to disband in the fall of 2007. Kevin is also a frequent and valued contributor to Larry's recording project, "The Birdz Sessions." Among Kevin's influences are James Jamerson, Stanley Clarke, John Paul Jones, Jaco Pastorius, and Sting.



Tom Spears
 

We don't know a lot about Tom because he hasn't provided us with his bio yet (hint hint!).  What we do know is that he brings a solid rocking groove to the band!! We also know that he wants a mustache but for reasons unknown he hasn't sprouted one yet. Tom has played extensively with several local bands over the last several years.

 

Larry "Birdz"

Larry started playing guitar in 1965 and has been playing ever since. He has studied with a number of prominent local musicians including the inimitable local jazz legend Steve Cancelli. He's played in a long list of bands including rock, blues, fusion, general business and jazz. Larry was a founding member of the area's local Beatles tribute band called "Not The Beatles" where he also served as the arranger and musical director.

Some of the other local bands Larry has played with over the years are "The Slang Expression", "GNP Blues Band", "Send Me To Camp", "Sapphire", "RhythmStix", and the "EverBlue" jazz trio.

Larry is also a cofounder of the Birdz Sessions recording project. For more information on the Birdz Sessions, visit their website at http://myspace.com/birdzsessions

Larry plays fluently in a wide variety of different styles, and lists some of his biggest influences as Howard Roberts, Lee Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page.