Member Since: 4/25/2007
Band Website: www.sonicbids.com/bleuorleans2
Band Members: EDWARD ANDERSON: BANDLEADER/TRUMPET
DARRELL LAVIGNE: CO-LEADER / PIANIST
EDWARD ANDERSON: BANDLEADER/TRUMPET:
Producer, arranger, musician and founder of Fertile Crescent Entertainment, Inc. Anderson's musical experiences include writing and arranging music for New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center; Intern/Assistant to Executive Vice President and Head of A&R, Sony Columbia Jazz; and performances with the Treme Brass Band, Dr. Michael White, Kermit Ruffins. In 2005 he was featured as a member of the legendary Ray Charles Septet in the Academy Award winning motion picture "Ray" starring Jamie Foxx. As a producer, Anderson has produced albums for local jazz favorites, Leah Chase, Wanda Rouzan, jazz violinist Michael Ward and legendary song writer Harold Battiste. He is currently Director of the Institure of Jazz Culture, Music Department at Dillard University in New Orleans.
DARRELL LAVIGNE: CO-LEADER / PIANIST
Recognized by New Orleans Magazine as "The Best New Orleans Contemporary Pianists of 2002", Lavigne is reaching new heights as a songwriter on Bleu Orleans. He has performed with Bill Summers of Herbie Hanock's Headhunters, Kirk Whalum, Oleta Adams, Michael Ward, Wanda Rouzan, and Leah Chase. Darrell is a highly sought-after producer and songwriter. Currently residing in Houston Texas, as a composer Darrell's works have been sought after by many of New Orleans' most established contemporary and smooth jazz artists.
AARON FLETCHER: SAXES
Aaron began playing saxophone at the age of 6. His mother, Sheila Reed introduced him to gospel music, R&B, and other forms of Western American music and his father, Elton Fletcher exposed him to live performances. After graduating from the esteemed New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (N.O.C.C.A.) Aaron began touring with Terence Blanchard at the age of 19. This led to working with other artists including: Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Stefon Harris, The Neville Brothers, Spike Lee, Stevie Wonder, Rza of Wu Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean and many others. Fletcher was also a finalist in the Thelonius Monk International Saxophone Competition in 2001.
Influences:
Sounds Like: As natives of New Orleans, the devastation brought about by Hurricane Katrina has of course deeply affected our lives and our artistic outlook. As creative artists, we want to express these experiences through music." Bleu Orleans is very eclectic and very rooted in the fundamental influences of contemporary jazz. They also feel free to borrow from the undeniable influences of the popular, and world music influences of the 21st century.Bleu Orleans is a jazz super group consisting of master musicians who are each capable bandleaders in their own right. Bleu Orleans band mates appeared as members of the Ray Charles Septet in the Academy award winning feature film, Ray staring Jamie Foxx. Collectively Bleu Orleans' members have played musical events around the globe. They have been a mainstay at venerable New Orleans festivals including the Essence Music Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.Additionally, Bleu Orleans members have performed with such world-renowned artists as Wynton, Marsalis, Patrice Rushen, Tori Amos, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Smith, Harold Battiste, Herbie Hancock, and Brian McKnight.!-- CDBABY LINK for BLEU ORLEANS: Bleu2 --
View the complete Bleu Orleans tour schedule
Record Label: fertile crescent entertainment
Type of Label: Indie