Lani Ramos, lead singer of her band, Big Pearl, moved to New Orleans, Louisiana from California, August 2000. Ramos has recorded, played, & sang with many talented artists based out of New Orleans such as Dave Sharp of The Alarm, Earl King, Frankie Ford, the great Fats Domino and more. Ramos' first year proved fruitful. At the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2001, Sprint Stage, with the Southern University of New Orleans Orchestra (SUNO) backing her up, Ramos sang to 500+ attendees. She stayed busy on Bourbon Street back then as she does now where she's back on Bourbon opening a new club, My Bar, singing weekly. Her first single Arms Of Heaven released on compilation, In Loving Tribute, 9.11.01, by indie label Band Of Musicians New Orleans, drew special attention from a reviewer in Offbeat Magazine. From there she performed all over the Louisiana basin in Baton Rouge, Fat City, Gretna, etc,. She went on to write and produce original songs for her self-titled debut CD, Scoot Boogie Baby's, Lani Ramos. Ramos sold out of CDs at her show-stopper performance as the Joplin headliner act at the 17th Annual Janis Joplin Birthday Bash & Gulf Coast Music Hall Of Fame Awards Show. Of 2500 attendees at the Port Arthur Civic Auditorium, one-fifth of Janis fans bought & took her CD home. In New Orleans, that same CD received wonderful accolades online and in rotation on New Olreans public radio station, WWOZ 90.7 FM. From there, more write-ups followed from Biz Magazine, LA Music Commission at www.louisianamusic.org, Modesto Bee Newspaper, and the Beaumont Journal. Ramos continued to write, collaborate and perform with 2 bands one included a 7-piece horn band until Katrina hit.As a result of the storm, Ramos ended up in San Francisco, Ca, where she received treatment and rehabilitation for her injured hand and fingers. While in the city she met and played with local musicians at Swig who introduced her to a local San Francisco promoter & booking agent. After which, Ramos found herself pictured between mayor, Gavin Newsom and governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, on page 5 of 'Who's In Town Today' in the San Francisco Examiner, January '06. As a result came booked gigs and a short run of a successful shows at Biscuits & Blues with private parties over the winter season. In late Winter Ramos returned to New Orleans and celebrated Mardi Gras 2006 with friends and loved ones. With immediate gigs offered on Bourbon Street and Frenchmen, Ramos remained in New Orleans. Reunited her with guitarist, Michael Wheat formally of the 7-piece horn band, Ramos has gone on to write, perform, and debut new material live with a new line-up to a jaw dropping head shaking international audience from around the globe. Ramos' vocals are a startling comparison to Joplin when you hear Ramos perform live and is adored by grandma/pa as well as the kittens.
Big Pearl's video below is merely a sneak peak into a private moment of fun performing their single that plays on WWOZ 90.7 titled In The N.O. @ Keminski Park, NOLA
Big Pearl's new sound, rock/funk mixed with a modern 80's edge, drive fans into a frenzy. The band's exciting new sound is set for CD release soon.
