JR Clark Band: Bio
JR Clark Band
The JR Clark Band, based out of Kalamazoo, MI brings it's high-energy house rockin' brand of blues and leaves people talking and smiling. Their live shows are full of sweat and fiery blues guitar. JR calls on all his influences to bring a variety to their show. Their music ranges from house rockin', a little soul blues, to even a taste of Southern Rock. These guys can do it all! A prote'ge' of slide blues legend "Lil' Ed Williams", JR is also known for his bottleneck boogie. If you've ever heard JR cover "George Thorogood" you might even think for a second you were at a "Destroyer's " concert! If you love the blues or just plain like to party, go check them out!
Timson Taliaferro - Drums
When Ben Pompey took a leave from the group, JR new he needed someone who could come right in and keep the bands tight sound. The first call he new he had to make was to Timson Taliaferro, long time drummer for "Dr. Bones and the Skeletones" to the now present "Skeletones". Timsons backround is from the Soul side of the Blues and R&B. The band has since not missed a beat and Timson brings a little different flavor to group.
Sweet Ray Burke - Hammond Organ
Another new addition to the band is Hammond Organist "Sweet Ray Burke". Ray's big fat organ sound has really rounded out the group nicely and has allowed Tim King more time to devote to his horn. With this great combination the band has become even more versatile. Ray is a schooled road musician who most recently has spent time working with James Armstrong.
Denny Love - Bass
Denny Love is the original bass man of the JR Clark band. An outstanding bass player and road warrior from years past, Denny is the only guy JR knew that could come in after Melvin left and lay the bottom down as though the band hasn't missed a beat. Den has added a new dimension to the band that they are sounding better than they ever have before!
JR Clark - Guitar and Vocals
The JR Clark Band has just recently released it’s second self-produced CD titled “I Shoulda Listened To My Conscience”. JR Clark penned all thirteen cuts and the CD is getting rave reviews. On a few tracks you can hear the influence that Lil’ Ed of “Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials” has had on JR. He and Ed have become close friends over the years and Ed has become a mentor for JR. He even calls JR “his son”. JR is continuing a style of slide playing that Lil’ Ed, Ed’s uncle J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor and Elmore James have all mastered. Learning to play all types of chords in the “open D” tuning, he can do a whole nights show playing slide just as Lil’ Ed does. Not only can JR lay down some greasy, gutbucket, house rockin, boogie slide guitar, he is also a double threat on standard guitar. Another blues legend that has had quite an influence on JR is Luther Allison, which is quite evident when you hear him cover Luther’s “Cherry Red Wine” or “What’s Goin On”. JR has even been known to reel in some of the “not so blues purists” with uncanny renditions of cuts from George Thorogood and the Destroyers. His ability to pull songs out of nowhere, from old blues standards to house rockin’ blues and even a little soul, has earned JR the nickname of “Human Juke Joint”. “ I feed off the audience. Once I get a vibe of where they want to go, that’s where I take it. I want everybody to have a party”.
Tim King - Saxophone, B4 Organ
Tim King - Saxophone
Tim comes from a jazz background and adds another dimension to the bands versatility. He can also be seen performing with the "Lake Effect Jazz Big Band" when not on stage with JR. Tim also recorded and produced the bands CD at his recording studio "LTD Music Productions".
Boogie Woogie Bob Peters - Piano, Organ
Boogie Woogie Bob Peters-Piano
Boogie-Woogie Bob is considered by many to be one of the best boogie-woogie piano players this side of Detroit. With one of the baddest left hands around, he leaves no doubt as to his nickname!