Ariella (and Nicolaas)
Infusing Funk, Jazz and Samba with Blues Soul and Tango, Award winning International Touring artists Ariella and Nicolaas (video) have created a memorable ear-catching sound. Formed in September of 2013 they quickly became one of the top acts in their native Tampa Bay music scene, as evidenced by their nomination for best local group in Tampa Bay and Ari for best Jazz vocalist.
And they continue to excel as this comment on social media says: “They are so hot and steamy on stage, they should advertise themselves as “Viagra for the Soul!” Marvelous! Superb and Fun Musicians. 10 stars.” Visit them on Facebook
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Lake Street Dive
Lake Street Dive
Lake Street Dive is a multigenre band that was founded in 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts. The band’s original members are Rachael Price (lead vocals), Mike “McDuck” Olson (trumpet, guitar), Bridget Kearney (upright bass), and Mike Calabrese (drums). Akie Bermiss (keyboards) joined the band on tour in 2017 and is on their 2018 album. Lake Street Dive started at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.[1] The band was named after a street with many dive bars in Olson’s hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band tours in North America, Australia, and Europe from their base in Brooklyn.
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Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wikipedia
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Southern Avenue
Southern Avenue is a dynamic, Grammy-nominated blues and soul band from Memphis, Tennessee, celebrated for carrying the Southern soul legacy into the 21st century. The band’s formation is a story of serendipity, bringing together diverse backgrounds to create a sound that is both deeply traditional and refreshingly modern. The band is most notably composed of Israeli-born guitarist Ori Naftaly and the Memphis-native Jackson sisters: powerhouse lead vocalist Tierinii, drummer and vocalist Tikyra “T.K.,” and percussionist, violinist, and vocalist Ava.
The group formed in 2015 and quickly made a name for themselves, reaching the finals of the prestigious International Blues Challenge in 2016. This rapid success led to a historic signing with the newly reactivated Stax Records—the first time in 40 years a Memphis band had been signed to the legendary soul label. Taking their name from a Memphis street running to the original home of Stax Records, Southern Avenue proved to be a fitting choice to represent the city’s rich musical heritage.
Their self-titled debut album in 2017 received critical acclaim and earned them the “Best Emerging Artist Album” award from the Blues Foundation. The album’s success fueled a rigorous touring schedule across the US, Europe, and Australia, allowing them to cultivate a devoted fanbase and hone their electrifying live performance. Their follow-up album, Keep On, released in 2019, featured more pronounced funk influences and earned them a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”.The band’s musical style is a seamless and spirited blend of genres. The foundation is rooted in gospel music, a heritage brought by the Jackson sisters, whose natural harmonies and soulful delivery give the band its core spiritual sound. Tierinii’s vocals, often compared to the confident and gutsy style of Chaka Khan, are a magnetic force that energizes audiences. This soulful intensity is paired with Naftaly’s intricate, raw guitar work, which he brought to Memphis after immigrating from Israel in search of authentic blues. The result is a gritty, infectious, and contemporary take on American roots music.Beyond their captivating sound, Southern Avenue is known for their uplifting and message-driven songs. Their music aims to transmute negative feelings into a sense of freedom and jubilation, creating a powerful and positive connection with their listeners. This ethos extends to their live shows, which are praised as dynamic and inclusive experiences that celebrate the communal power of music. The band’s latest album, Family, released in 2025 on Alligator Records, was recorded at Memphis’s historic Royal Studios and continues their tradition of crafting universal, heartfelt songs that bring people together.Southern Avenue’s journey from a serendipitous meeting to a Grammy-nominated act is a testament to their talent and hard work. They have successfully blended traditional Memphis sounds with a fresh, modern perspective, establishing themselves as a vital voice in blues and soul music today.
