THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN RELEASE THEIR SECOND SINGLE!
Contemporary jazz group, The Southern Gentlemen, follow up their first single, Back In The Game, with a brand new release, the Spinners 1973 classic “COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE” on April 19, 2024!
Trumpeter, Joey Sommerville, guitarist Eric Essix, and violinist Michael Ward created The Southern Gentlemen in 2011 after playing a gig together in Atlanta, Georgia. It was clear to them that their collective experiences of living in the South, the unique combination of instruments, and their onstage chemistry brought a distinct style and sound to the music. Supported by an A-List rhythm section, The Gents began to perform in venues and at major jazz festivals across the U.S. and were an instant hit with audiences everywhere they played.
Individually, the members have toured the world, performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and have nearly 40 albums between them. They are “Back In The Game” with the same raw energy and excitement but with a stronger sense of purpose and camaraderie.
SINGLE CREDITS
MUSICIANS:
Eric Essix – Guitar and Bass Joey Sommerville – Trumpet Michael Ward- Violin. Kelvin Wooten – Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming and String Arrangement
Produced by Kelvin Wooten
Written By Melvin Steals and Mervin Steals (Mystro and Lyric) for Bellboy Music, BMI
Radio Promotions:
Gorov Music Marketing
10120 S. Eastern Ave.
Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89052
Phone: (702) 492-1256
Email: info@gorovmusic.com
Label: Essential Recordings
www.ericessix.net
Distributor: Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music/UMG www.lightyearentertainment.com
GUITAR
Eric Essix
Over a period of more than 34 years and now 28 full length album releases, Eric Essix has maintained a steady flow of new music that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Following the success of his Songs From The Deep project, Eric recently released his 28th album entitled STRiDE on his Essential Recordings label, again distributed by Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music/UMG.
TRUMPET/VOCALS
Joey Sommerville
Joey Sommerville aka Papa J, is a trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. He honed his effervescent stage persona as a protege of legendary bluesman, Big Joe Burrell. Joey has collaborated with numerous celebrated artists including Earl Klugh, Jeff Lorber, Marion Meadows, Wayman Tisdale, Najee, Jeff Bradshaw, Bob Baldwin and more. His 4 solo albums have received worldwide airplay and critical acclaim, including a ringing endorsement from USA Today. Joey has received numerous awards and accolades including The American Society of Young Musicians All That Jazz Award. He was a featured soloist on the Cirque du Soleil's Juno Award-winning and Grammy-nominated album, Alegria. He is an active community servant and is on the Board of Directors of The How Big Is Your Dream Foundation, an Atlanta-based charity that provides music education programs to students in underserved communities. He is also an active member of NARAS/The Recording Academy (Grammys), having served two terms on the Atlanta Chapter’s Board of Governors.
VIOLIN
MICHAEL WARD
Michael is a native of San Antonio, TX but calls New Orleans home. He began playing music at a very early age, starting with piano and attending band practice with his mother Carol Ward who is a Jazz vocalist. His fondest memories are listening to Clifford Scott "Honky Tonk" on sax and Frank Garrett on organ, and hearing his mom sing all those great jazz standards.
While studying in college with Mr. Alvin Batiste, Michael Joined a group called the 4am band and started working around town, mostly for fun and experience. After he left the group, he started his own band and began working in New Orleans.
Through many years of hard work, Michael has toured many foreign countries and all over the U.S. He has worked with many well-known musicians and played many of the worlds finest venues.