About Rare Blend
For
over 15 years, Rare Blend’s
music resonates with purists as
well as those who embrace a
progressive multi-genre approach
to original instrumental music.
Pulling from a variety of
influences and musical styles,
Rare Blend continues to receive
favorable press reviews, and radio
airplay, performing at a variety
of concerts and outdoor festivals,
and have been invited to be
included on regional and national
compilation discs.
Because
of their diversity and growing
catalog of music, Rare Blend can
be found performing on bills that
range from Jazz to jam band,
fusion to progressive rock. They
have shared bills or have opened
for the likes of David Sanborn,
Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles,
Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra,
Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat &
Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los
Lobos, and others...
Started
in 1993, Rare Blend (Samalot /
Holt), released their debut
independent CD entitled Cinefusion
as a duo. Recorded and
produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi
Holt, Cinefusion
received local, national, and even
international college radio
airplay and was performed live in
small intimate venues in Ohio.
In
1998, Rare Blend expanded to a
four piece with bassist/composer
Jeff Scott and drummer Paul
Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare
Blend added additional musical
texture to the original concept
and took the live performance to a
new level.
CD
album recordings added to the
catalog to date:
- CINEFUSION (1995)
- INFINITY (2000)
- EVOLUTION THEORY (2002)
- STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006) Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006.
- SESSIONS (2009) With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007.
Rare Blend continues to write, record, and perform at various concert clubs and outdoor festivals throughout the year and is looking forward to incorporating on the spot improvisations to audiences in 2010.
Rare Blend resonates with fans of jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive, combining genres to produce unique and exciting instrumentals.Current Lineup
»»
Victor
Samalot
Acoustic / Electric Guitar--25
years playing guitar, instructor, writer, arranger. Creates
by gelling jazz, rock, and fusion. Favs:
Jeff Beck, Phil Keaggy, Carlos Santana, and many others...
»»
Bobbi
Holt
Keyboards / Vocals---20
years playing keyboards and singing. Composer and arrange , likes to
work with string movements and exotic, cultural moods. Favs:
Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Jan Hammer. Vocals of all
styles and genres.
»»
Ivan
George
Drums/Percussion--Veteran
drummer from Cleveland Ohio. 30 year pro. Into
Fusion, Funk, Rock, Jazz, Gospel, Hip-Hop, and Motown. Favs:
Dennis Chambers, Rayford Griffin, Lenny White, Mike Portnoy,
Peter Erskine, Tony Royster,Jr., Billy Cobham.
BASS
GUITAR OPEN SEAT
»»
Darren
Frate
Bass Guitar--Veteran Bassist
from Cleveland Ohio. has
played with Doug Wood, Andy Gerome,
and toured with Gary Lewis & the
Playboys and various studio
projects.
Big Thanks to the following for their outstanding contribution to RB over the years!
-
Vince Broncaccio - Drums/Percussion
-
Eric Highman - Bass Guitar
-
Mike Kovacs - Drums
-
George Lawrence - Drums
-
Gabe O'Brien - Percussion
-
Chris Rossvanes - Percussion
-
Kip Reed - Bass Guitar - studio
-
Jeff Scott - Bass Guitar
-
Paul Stranahan - Drums/Percussion
-
Steve Zavesky - Drums
