Rick Flanagan

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***BREAKING NEWS***

Rick is currently playing with Malaco Recording Artist, Soul Singer, MARVIN SEASE!!

Rick Flanagan is a well-known sax player from Canada who moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 2006. Since his arrival in Memphis he has held house gigs on Beale Street at King's Palace, The Rum Boogie Cafe, and at BB King's nightclub.

He has released his first, independent solo CD, "Memphis Nights", which features classic Memphis hits of the 60's and 70's performed instrumentally. It is available online at CdBaby.com or direct from Rick at his email address.

Over the last 30 years, Rick has played in popular bands and toured Canada, USA and Europe. Additionally, he toured Bosnia and Croatia, performing for Canadian peacekeepers - a dream come true for Rick.

Much of his work has been in Pop and R’n’B - most notably his 7 years with Soul Survivors where Rick had a chance to write many horn charts, band arrangements, and executive produce a fine promotional CD.

As much as Rick is known for Pop and R'n'B, some of his best live instrumental performance work has been in the blues. His participation for 8 years in Blue Monday, a popular blues band in Canada, helped Rick develop a love and respect for the blues and a personal sound for the genre. Rick was the executive producer of two Blue Monday CDs.

Whether playing Tenor or Alto, or both simultaneously, Rick’s no nonsense approach to soloing delivers what the audiences want to hear, the truth without tricks or frills.

RECENT REVIEWS FOR "MEMPHIS NIGHTS"
"I'm sittin' here, and the speakers are givin' me some sweet sounds, like I'm in a smokey Club where the horn section wanders through like an old familiar friend. I'm listening to Rick Flanagan's CD, "Memphis Nights".
Seven tracks of absolutely lush saxaphone, backed by dudes who live the music. Wet, full, organic. He's no dry "Tin-man". His path has lead him to the source, and that little spinnin' silver disc holds a fine listening experience. Hmmmm... here comes that Sax Man again; gotta go give him a listen."
Gene Rankin producer, singer/songwriter RANKIN SOUND
Kingston, Canada
WHAT SOME ARTISTS HAVE SAID ABOUT RICK FLANAGAN
“This guy knows his way around the instrument and can hold his own with the best of them.” 1996 DAN AYKROYD
"I was pleased to play with a Canadian sax player with so much soul." 2006 WAYNE JACKSON, The Memphis Horns.
“When I first heard you I thought you were Gordon Beadle. When I saw it was you, and not him I was shocked and I had to meet you. Who are you and why are you in this small town? This guy kicked my ass!” 1999 JOHN HAMMOND.
“I’ve seen dozens of cats try it but you’re the first player I’ve seen who can actually play 2 saxes at once and make it work. Very musical indeed!” 2000 SAX GORDON BEADLE. Rounder Recording Artist, Duke Robillard’s sax player, Roomfull of Blues Horn Section.
"I dig your playing man. You sound great up there." 2006 SKIP MESQUITE, sax player & co-founder of Tower of Power.
“You’re a very talented player.” 2002 OTIS GRAND, UK Blues Guitarist of the Year (1990 – 1996); Nominee for the prestigious W.C. Handy Blues Award.
“You can call me anytime to play on your CD son. I like the way you play the horn.” 2003 BRYAN LEE.
“Anytime you’re around, you can sit in with me.” 1998 the late HOCK WALSH, Downchild Blues Band, the inspiration for the movie, “The Blues Brothers”.

SOME ARTISTS WHO RICK FLANAGAN HAS PERFORMED OR RECORDED WITH:
DAN AYKROYD: Singer, harmonica, Academy Award nominee, producer/actor/founder of the band and movie titled, “The Blues Brothers”.
WAYNE JACKSON AND THE MEMPHIS HORNS: Wayne and The Memphis Horns have played and/or recorded with Aretha Franklin, Sting, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Otis Redding, Rod Stewart, just to name a few. Wayne appears on over 300 gold and platinum records, over a dozen Grammy Awards and an Academy Award.
T.G. SHEPPARD: Country recording artist with 18 Number 1 hits.
JEFF HEALEY: guitarist, Grammy nominee, performed in the movie “Roadhouse”, international recording star.
AYNSLEY DUNBAR: drummer, played with Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, David Bowie, Journey, Sammy Hagar, Jefferson Starship, Whitesnake.
DEACON JONES: Organ. Played with Curtis Mayfield, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dr. John, Gregg Allman.
BOBBY PURIFY: Singer, Bobby had a smash hit in 1966 with James and Bobby Purify named, "I'm Your Puppet."
OTIS GRAND: guitarist, UK Blues Guitarist of the Year (1990 – 96) Nominee to the prestigious W.C. Handy Blues Award.
ILA VANN: Singer, Rick Flanagan was musical director for Ila’s band. She has worked with Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, Perry Como, Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, the Staple Singers, & King Curtis.

SOME ARTISTS WHO RICK FLANAGAN HAS OPENED FOR IN CONCERT:
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS: International recording artists.
JOHN HAMMOND: International recording artist.
JIMMY VAUGHN: International recording artist.
IRMA THOMAS: Singer, "The Soul Queen of New Orleans" is a Grammy award winner with over a dozen albums to her credit.
TRACY NELSON: singer, Grammy award nominee.
HOWARD TATE: singer, International recording artist.
COLIN JAMES: Guitarist, Canadian Juno Award winner.
ED BICKERT: jazz guitarist. Canadian Juno Award winner. Performed with Rosemary Clooney, The Boss Brass, Paul Desmond, and Moe Koffman.