Rare Blend was formed in 1994, at the infancy of the independent music revolution, and has leveraged the Internet through a variety of means to build a worldwide growing fan base.
They continue to receive favorable press reviews, radio airplay, perform 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.
Their music influences are bands like Tangerine Dream, Santana, Jeff Beck, Tribal Tech, Ozric Tentacles, Led Zeppelin, Vital Information, Yes, Sting, Pink Floyd, to name a few.
In 1995, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut CD entitled Cinefusion recorded and produced by the duo. Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues such as coffee houses, private outings, festivals, and Borders, Books, & Music establishments.
In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. Their fine musicianship added new texture to the original concept and takes live performance to a new level.With the new band lineup, RB released their second CD Infinity in 2000 cycling through grooves of jazz, fusion, rock, funk, latin and progressive twists. Rare Blend continued the journey of blending style and genre on their third CD release (June 2002) entitled Evolution Theory . ET is proved to be RB's most diverse and creative body of work to date mixing jazz, rock, fusion, and world music.
In 2005 the group welcomed Vince Broncaccio, a veteran drummer from the Northeast Ohio area. His 'feel' and spontanaety brought a fresh nuance to the group and during '05, Rare Blend went into the studio to record their 2006 and 4th CD release Stops Along The Way.
2007 ushered in yet again another exciting drummer by the name of Ivan George. His experience as well as a big fan of fusion music is the anchor for Rare Blend's plans of their fifth CD release consisting of live recordings of Rare Blend material and improvisations.
Rare Blend has opened and shared bills with artists such as: Special EFX, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others... RB was also involved in co-sponsoring the first progressive rock event held in Cleveland Ohio, Cleveland Progressive Rock Fusion Fest in 2004.
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Ohio (OH)
Sound Like: Instrumental Rock