Katyablues

I'd like to meet:

Rock n Roll & the Blues have always been major forces in my life! My Myspace profile is dedicated to those who have rocked the world!

This new section is reserved for selected muscians on the Katyablues Homepage who continue to strive to capture that perfect lic and back beat!

In my on-going effort to support rock n roll and blues musicians, the Katyablues Video Gallery makes it possible for you to become better acquainted with some super talents. You can read their biographies, click on photo links to access their personal myspace profiles as well as view the amazing videos!

Like what you see?! Please feel free to post a comment either to Katyablues or contact the musician directly.

Just sit back and enjoy!!

Peace Always! Katya

Carlos Oropeza

Click here to view Carlos Oropeza

About the Artist...

Carlos grew up in Philadelphia, Pa. He has played in a few bands and collaborated in projects of varied genres. Currently, he's working on more videos and music as well as searching for musicians to form a band.

As a guitarist, he was mainly influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana upon seeing their Woodstock footage. Carlos also enjoys listening to Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Sly & Robbie, Fugees, Robbie Robertson & the Red Road Ensemble, Bill Miller, Carlos Nakai, John Trudeau, Bjork, The Clash, The Doors, Sisters of Mercy, Cradle of Filth, Iron Maiden, Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, Alicia Keys, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Eurythmics, Annie Lennox ............

One of the first Katyablues' Adds, Carlos is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a very devoted and dynamic talent. If you've never listened to Carlos Oropeza before, now is a great time...not to be missed!!

Carlos Oropeza - Another Day

Another Day

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Domain

Click here to visit their guitarist and producer, Axel Ritt

About the Artist...

Now in the Gallery!...Katyablues is proud to feature Axel Ritt and his band, DOMAIN!! This exceptionally talented 5-man group of musicians will definitely grab your attention in their hard-driving video, Endless Rain.

With their tremendous comeback album "One Million Light Years From Home" in 2001, DOMAIN managed to form an unseamed link to their successful years at the end of the 80s, when they won the hearts of European metal fans with albums such as "Our Kingdom" (still under their old band name KINGDOM), "Before The Storm" and "Crack In The Wall" and songs such as "Lost In The City" and "Sign From Your Heart".

The CD "Artefact", released in 2002 and the tour which followed, together with rock legends Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner (HTP) cemented the band's reputation as one of the most talented melodic metal bands in Germany.

The lads behind the exceptional guitarist Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt did, however, not wish to rest on their laurels. Just one year later, the release of "The Sixth Dimension" proved to be a further documentation of their high standard of musicianship and composing talents. Harder, yet more epic than before, DOMAIN once again demonstrated a perfect mixture of progressive, melodic and symphonic sounds.

Yet the career of the band, comprising of year-long band member keyboarder Erdmann Lange, together with bass player Jochen Mayer (Boysvoice, ex-Demon Drive, ex-Casanova) and ex-Symphorce drummer Stefan Köllner, had actually only just begun. Immediately after the release of "The Sixth Dimension" they took upon themselves the biggest challenge in the band's nearly 20 years' history: The recordings of their concept album "Last Days Of Utopia" based on a story written by the band's ex-vocalist Carsten Schulz and one which demanded everything from the musicians. Along the way they found a new partner in Limb Music Products, who will accompany and support the band in their ambitious projects in the coming years.

The new album "Last Days Of Utopia" which has been perfectly realised soundwise by guitarist Axel Ritt is now ready. It is a musical journey, in which DOMAIN bring the world of Utopia to life with their mixture of progressive, melodic and symphonic sounds. "A New Beginning" takes the hero of the story on a voyage "On Stormy Seas" to discover a new existence, during which he is stranded on "The Shores Of Utopia". In this "Ocean Paradise" he at last discovers "The Beauty Of Love", causes "The Great Rebellion" through his thoughts, before the Gods destroy the paradise with "Endless Rain". As the only survivor our hero finds himself "Underneath The Blue", floating on the sea, "Left Alone".

Parallel to the album a limited double CD will also be released, which will include non-epic remixes of "A New Beginning", "Endless Rain" and "Left Alone". In addition it includes a further remake of "Caught In The Flame" and an exclusive bonus track in the form of "Head Above The Water". The package is completed by a video clip of "Endless Rain", a poster of the cover artwork, a sticker, various wallpapers and a Winamp skin. So value for money in the true sense of the word.

Let Axel and DOMAIN take you onto the last plane of their musical journey, "Last Days of Utopia"...They will rock your world!!!

Domain - Endless Rain

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Benny Jansson

Click here to visit Benny

About the Artist...

When you read through Benny Jansson's comments, it doesn't take long to realize that Benny is a highly respected guitarist...and that's putting it mildly! Adjectives like "Amazing!" and "Awesome!" literally jump off the pages at you. He's also described as "a true talent" with "smooth flawless tapping" and "incredible two hand legato phasing" techniques.

Benny's praises are endless. To give you a better idea of how awe-inspiring he is, one guy even begins his comment with, "Hello Maestro!" I must say that when I was scouting around for musicians for the Katyablues Video Gallery, I was thoroughly blown away after watching a video of him in action. Almost from the beginning, Benny's "unique style" will hold you spellbound.

Benny Jansson was born in Sweden 1961. He started to play the guitar at the age of fifteen but it wasn't until he was seventeen that he began to play seriously.

The first band was "Avenue" in which he played for about seven years. He then left to start his own band "Two Rocks" with Thomas Brant on vocals. They recorded two records but unfortunately only one of the records - "When Sanity is Acting Kind of Wild" - was released.

The album received great reviews from both Swedish and English music critics and Benny was compared favourably to guitar heroes such as Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum and Kee Marcello, just to name a few. After many years of devotion to the Swedish hard rock music scene and as a studio musician, Benny released three solo albums: "Virtual Humanity," "Flum Ride" and "Save The World."

Benny is also, (together with his brother Björn Jansson), one of the men behind the band "Tears Of Anger." He has mixed and produced several records for Håkan Almqvist and Bobby Ljungren.

So, sit back and enjoy Benny Jansson's incredible video...Be prepared to be amazed!

Benny Jansson Improvise

Circle of Pain

Click here to view their bassist, Sandro Lo Giudice

About the Artist...

I first heard of the band, Circle of Pain, through Sandro Lo Giudice's myspace profile. This band is synonymous with the terms "Rock" & "Metal"... And they do it extremely well!!

Circle of Pain was originally formed in early 1994 in Heppenheim / Germany under the less desirable name Tipsy Slut.

In January 1995 the band's first release was a 5-track-CD titled "Life is on TV" which received a positive response from both public and critics alike. Beyond expectation, the corresponding tour captured the imagination of audiences of all ages and by the end of the tour had resulted in the accumulation of a sizeable fan base.

In 1996, encouraged by the success of the aforementioned tour, the sextet released their first Long-Play-CD "Borrowed Time" consisting of 11 self-penned compositions. The fresh sound of this album kicked up a storm of critique ranging from positive to euphoric in recognised Rock Magazines and the regional press. In the CD-Check column of Breakout Magazine, the album was cited as "Newcomer of the Month".

Throughout the 1990's the band worked flat out! They embarked on their first nation-wide tour and performed as support act for The Sweet, AXXIS and SAXON. They recorded a live, special performance video. That video was released in 1997 and to this day it documents the cult status of the band's...musical passion.

On March 14th 1998, the band succeeded in establishing a world record, acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records, by playing 7 separate shows in 3 Federal States within 9 hours! All proceeds from this amazing feat were donated to charity in favour of Child Cancer.

Helping support yet another charity, they released a 3-track CD titled "Back to Bosnia" with "United Artists For Bosnia." All proceeds were donated to the "Bosnia Refugee Fund" - managed by S.I.T. - a humanitarian orientated organisation located in Germany's Main-Taunus-Kreis.

1999 saw another nation-wide tour, cementing their status as a noteworthy live act. At that status quo approximately 250 concerts had been played. The band also served as supporting act for "Bonfire", Pink Cream 69", "Uriah Heep", "Nazareth", "Megaherz" and once again "The Sweet".

In May 2001 the magic of Circle of Pain was brought to the fore with the release of concept album, PARADOX OF DESTITUTION.

After album completion, Circle of Pain was featured by "Rock Hard Magazine" on their "Best Bands without Contract, Volume 8" compilation CD.

In January 2001, Circle of Pain began working together with a choir and orchestra on material from "Paradox of Destitution" which they had recently presented at a gala concert held in Wiesbaden's Rhein-Main Theatre. A 48-track live sound and video recording was made of this enormously successful event, released on VHS-Video in Autumn 2001.

During 2001 and 2003 the Paradox of Destitution tour was performed in more than 100 shows in Europe including some events called Paradox Classixx, again featuring the Orchestra.

Currently the band is working on their upcoming album entitled, "Our Darkest Hour", a work much harder than previous albums...

Indeed, Circle of Pain have grown and seem to have found the perfect formula to combine hard rock, catchy melodic refrains, punchy guitar riffs and a solid grooving rhythm section into a dynamical sparkling cocktail tasteful to any serious listener!

So, if you've never heard Circle of Pain with Sandro Lo Giudice, now's your chance to see some incredible talent!

Circle of Pain - Darkest Hour

Dan Schafer's Rock & Load Show

Click here to view Dan Schafer

About the Artist...

Ever read Dan Schafer's bio.? No? Then you're in for a big treat. This man has worked hard...and it's paid off!!

Dan became lead vocalist for the group Mercenary on Portrait Records. Here he worked with Rusty DAddio of Ronnie James Dio and Richie Blackmore.

Dan's experience as a premier vocalist continued throughout the 1980s with stints as lead vocalist for the group Orphan on Polygram Records and singer/songwriter with the group Face the Music, working with Jerry Love at Paramount/Famous Music.

Dan's vocal talents soon began to be sought out for commercial work and in the early 1990s Dans list of successful commercial work began. This list includes Seagram Wine Cooler for HB&B, working with producer Cheryl Smith, Transformers (Robots in Disguise), Space Marines from Aliens III, and hundreds of television/radio commercials including Revlon, Pizza Hut, Tetley Tea, AT&T, Matchbox, and BC Powder.

During this time Dan also started producing vocals, arranging and executing background vocals for a variety of producers and artists, also doing voice-over work for SEM&M in New York City.

In 1996 Dan's career expanded. After relocating to Nashville, Tennessee he started producing, arranging and executing solo vocals including background vocals for Chuck Howard, Byron Gallimore, Stuart Harris, and John Berry. His roots as a vocalist still continued working with Bucket Colwell of Bad Company, singing with the group Public Witness and on a host of jingles for Coors Lite, BC Powder in Nashville, Chicago and New York City.

In 1998, Dan started a production/development company with the goal of helping artists and/or producers not only with tracks, but focussing on VOCAL PRODUCTION . Dan produced, arranged and wrote seven songs on the SALT record *SATISFIED. The single "Get Back" went to ..13 R&R charts Dec 2001, and the single "Satisfied" went to ..20 and currently they have just independently released the single "Rise Above" written by Dan, Wayne, and D.C.

Currently Dan is writing with, and has written with, Kim Trible, Bill Cuomo, Beeb Birtles, Rachel Williams, Brian Williams, Bill & Will Champlin, Joie Scott, Hilary Williams, Gary Hannan, Hollie Jett, Fidel Fernandez, J.R. Brown, Michael Tait, Brett Cartwright, Jane Bach, Andrea Pearson, etc.

Watch Dan and his friends in the following video! The Journey Continues!!!

Dan Schafer's Rock & Load Show

Jeff (& Nath) Corallini

Click here to visit Jeff & Nath!

About the artist...

“Stopping by again,” a comment reads…”Great playing!” Another. “Sound Merveilleux!” “Awesome sound!” “I keep coming back to listen!” “Fantastic sound!” “Magnifique!”…and the list goes on!

A recent and most welcome add to Katyablues, the first thing that strikes you about Jeff Corallini is the awesome talent of this man. He’s earned the respect he receives. Master of several different types of basses, Jeff goes beyond playing. And, like any master, he makes them talk!

From the very beginning, Jeff was serious about music. He started teaching himself guitar at the age of 10 but switched to bass whilst at secondary school to play in a band.

Jeff’s music career has been quite versatile. He’s played on a cruise ship in various countries and hotels for 3 years. In 1987, Jeff passed his diploma in a conservatory, recorded 2 solo albums plus 20 albums for a variety of artists and bands, composed music for commercials and reports and took part in a number of projects.

Currently he teaches in several schools, including the Conservatory in Aix-En-Provence, a music school in Lambesc, plus 2 bass and double bass schools: 1) Celony – in a stringed instrument maker’s place called BARRILLON (who Jeff has been endorsed with since 2000). 2) Jonquieres – in another stringed instrument maker’s place called MOSCATO (who just happens to be working on an 8-stringed bass for Jeff!).

To add to his already busy schedule, Jeff plays in different bands and is working on compositions for his next album. Not enough? No, not for Jeff! He’s also writing a complete method for 4, 5 and 6 string basses, and (take a breath) he’s even starting one for the 7 string bass!

If this isn’t enough, Jeff is married to Nath who sings (with a beautiful voice I might add!) with him. And, on top of everything else, they have a family!

Impressive to the max, take the time and watch this video of Jeff...He makes it look sooo easy! Ha! To see Jeff and Nath, be sure to check out their profile! I'm sure you're going to enjoy this!!

Jeff Corallini

metropole

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Music:

OLD LEGENDS

Lennon, Clapton & Richards ..

Jimi Hendrix ..

Janis Joplin ..

Bob Dylan - Licence to Kill ..

The Doors ..

Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust Live..

Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison & The Doors, Eric Clapton, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Marley, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Gary Moore, Aerosmith, Steppenwolf, Queen, Black Sabbath, Santana, Joe Cocker, Jethro Tull, The Eagles, The Outlaws, Frank Zappa, Deep Purple, Cream, Journey, Kansas, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Tom Petty...

Van Halen, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Clutch, Def Lepard, Motely Crew, AC/DC, Guns n Roses,Alanis Morissette, Hootie & the Blowfish, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Blunt... and the millions of talented unknown musicians who have yet to be discovered!

NEW LEGENDS

Clutch

Movies:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Last of the Mohicans, Jean de Florette, Doctor Zhivago, The Secret of Roan Inish, Stealing Beauty, Benny & Joon, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Notting Hill, Clara's Heart, Arthur, Monty Python the Holy Grail, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Dangerous Liaisons, Mask, Ghost, Beauty and the Beast, Lady and the Tramp, Blame It On Rio, Educating Rita, Private Parts, Clock Work Orange, Man In The Iron Mask, A Tale of Two Cities, (to be continued!)

Television:

Nope! Too commercial,negative and sensational 4 me.

Books:

Heroes:

My mother who recently died of cancer at 85 yrs old (I miss her); my father, Jim, who has always put his family first; my daughter, Heather, for remaining courageous in the face of adversity; People, especially children, throughout the world who have to live with poverty and the horrors of war; Everyone who lost or risked their lives during 911, Jim Robey a wonderful friend and humanitarian who died of liver cancer on May 31 2005; The Native American Indian