Band Bio's
Janet Ryan has become a recognizable name in Western Massachusetts since moving here from Southern Connecticut. Before moving to Connecticut, Janet developed a taste for the blues while living in Chicago, where she soaked up the blues in the juke joints of the north side. She brought her powerful blues presence to the East coast and earned her living performing throughout the Tri State area. (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York State.)
Since moving to the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, Janet is a multi category and multi year winner of the Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam. The Grand Band Slam is held yearly to promote local talent in the western Massachusetts area.
Janet and her band have performed at shows including performances
at the Blues, Brews, and BBQ Festival at 6 Flags New England, the Taste of Northampton,
MA, the Pioneer Valley Blues Festival, the Iron Horse Music Hall, and the Splendor
in the Grass Festival at the Pines Theater in Northampton,MA, among many other
band and solo shows. Since
the release of her first CD "Passion and Fire"
and continuing with her latest CD, entitled "You Don't Know Me" she and her band Straight Up! have exploded
into the local club scene, and continue to blow the audiences away with their
high energy rocking Blues based music.
Janet just completed recording her first solo CD. She recorded a tribute album of jazz standards to honor her father's memory. This is a wonderful project that straddles the line between jazz and blues. Send her an email and she'll get one to you.
In
addition to being a performing songwriter, (Janet writes most of the material
on her CD releases, ) Janet is the director of Vocal music at Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield, MA. She also teaches voice and piano at Community
Music School of Springfield, as well as maintaining a select group of private
students in her home in the hills of Conway, Massachusetts.
A master from the old blues school, guitarist
Ray Chaput plays the blues classics with a twist of
funk and ignites them into something new. Ray has toured the East Coast as a
member of Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze's touring band. He has shared the stage with the likes of Ed Vadas, Mark Nomad, Jim Kaminski, Wailing Dave Robinson, Art Steele, Al Fuller and many others. Musician, Engineer, Producer, Singer/Songwriter,
Educator, and Computer Guru are some of the many hats that Ray wears. Ray is currently
teaching guitar at the Community Music School of Springfield, MA. A more detailed
Bio is available HERE.
Behind Janet and Ray are three of the areas finest players, always in a groove, keeping the crowd dancing, and always having fun.
Joe
Elliot. Multi-talented keyboardist and songwriter, Joe Elliot's
successful music career has spanned over two decades. Whether on the road or
performing locally Joe has proven his ability to capture an audience with his
raw versatility. From his hot licks on the piano to his GET UP AND DANCE solos
on his Hammond Organ, Joe will keep you coming back for more. His smooth organ
and piano tones compliment the band nicely. He has played in many bands, most
recently the Connecticut band The Hornets.
Koko is Janet's Drummer. He's played with many people and drives the band well. He just finished a recording with John Sheldon.
Koko rocks. Come see him perform with Janet and the band!
Dennis LeBeau is an excellent bass player
who has played with many great bands, including the Radiators. When he's
not thumping the bass you might find him working on steam locomotives. Dennis is
also a published author. He's a very funny guy, too!
Check his bio here:
The band is laying down big fat grooves. They have just completed their next CD, and are bringing the music to the people.
Catch them at a club near you!
They are now booking for the winter & spring seasons.
Email Janet for more details here... Tell Me More