About Me
Rare Blend is where rock, jazz, fusion, and world music collide! This statement definitively sums up the instrumental music group, home based in Cleveland Ohio, and now in their 12th year. Theirs is a journey that started during the independent music revolution, and that has no intention of slowing down.
Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles to write unique instrumental arrangements, Rare Blends music appeals to purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original music. They continue to receive favorable press reviews, radio airplay, perform at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs. Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others...
In 1995, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion recorded and produced by the duo. Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues such as coffee houses, private outings, festivals, and Borders, Books, & Music establishments. In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. Their fine musicianship added new texture to the original concept and takes live performance to a new level.
With the new band lineup, RB released their second CD Infinity in 2000 cycling through grooves of jazz, fusion, rock, funk, latin and progressive twists. Rare Blend continued the journey of blending style and genre on their third CD release (June 2002) entitled Evolution Theory . ET is proved to be RB’s most diverse and creative body of work to date mixing jazz, rock, fusion, and world music.
2005 was a transitional year for the group by welcoming Vince Broncaccio, a veteran drummer from the Northeast Ohio area. His ’feel’ and spontanaety brought a fresh nuance to the group and during ’05, Rare Blend went into the studio to record their 2006 and 4th CD release Stops Along The Way. Either live or on CD, Rare Blend will be worth the time!
Press:
"Stops Along The Way" is Rare Blend’s most efficient recording. The songs naturally jump genres while traveling through an aural landscape that’s filled with songs that pretty much fit their titles. (Michael Gallucci / Scene Magazine - Cleveland, OH USA)
Rare Blend is a very seasoned group from the Cleveland, Ohio area. "Stops Along The Way" is what I would call a jazz/fusion jam band album. I have heard a lot of mixed feelings about jam bands but when it sounds good you cant deny that the players know what they are doing. (Jimmy Caterine / Guitarnoise.com - Canada)
Wonderful compilation of tracks. I have been waiting for this release since the announcement of a new project was in the works. Get this one, and then you’re hooked. You’ll get the other three, like I did. (RB fan - Baltimore, MD)
Rare Blend takes a metaphorical journey on its new CD. The disc on the whole is a heady experiment and as always, the band combines bites of fusion, progressive rock, and funk. (Jeff Niesel / Free Times Magazine - Cleveland, OH)
A more apropos name would be hard to find for this Cleveland-based (mostly) instrumental quartet that blends rock, jazz, fusion and world music into a rare concoction of tight, colorful and unpretentious arrangements. If only all instrumental albums could sound this appealing...(Michael Popke - Sea Of Tranquility / Monroe, NY)
I recently took a trip to Cleveland and happened upon a radio station ( 89.3 ) I believe, and heard some of your music. I was blown away, mostly because I too was a professional musician in the late 70s early 80s and enjoyed this style of music. It is refreshing to hear that it is still as alive as it was then! (Jimmy Valentine - RB Fan)
Current Rare Blend line up is: Vic Samalot (guitar), Bobbi Holt(keyboards, vocals), Jeffrey Scott (bass), Ivan George (drums & percussion).
RB’s latest CD release "Stops Along The Way" features a marvelous fusion of jazz, rock, and progressive, mixed with different atmospheres and moods, making for a complete triumph musically and technically.
Rare Blend continues to receive positive reviews for their work and can be found performing on bills that range from jazz, jam band, fusion, and progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Average White Band, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, Los Lobos & more...
Rare Blend 2008:
Along with booking performances for 2008, Rare Blend is planning to record their live performances as well as review archived live studio cuts for their fifth album tentatively titled "Five & Live". The focus will be on capturing the best of the group’s improvisations over the course of 2006 - 2008.
The band has also developed a music/film series entitled Bridging The Gap where the band performs original selections and improvisations to the screenings of silent films. See RB’s Film Page on their website for further info. Currently booking presentations for 2008-09.
Discography:
Stops Along The Way
Evolution Theory
Infinity
Cinefusion
album
