Rare Blend
Band Story
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 growing worldwide fan base.
They continue to receive favorable press reviews, radio airplay, and perform at various concerts and outdoor festivals. They have also been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs. Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend performs on bills that range from jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock.
Their musical influences include bands such as Tangerine Dream, Santana, Jeff Beck, Tribal Tech, Ozric Tentacles, Led Zeppelin, Vital Information, Yes, Sting, and 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 band with the addition of bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. Their fine musicianship added new texture to the original concept and elevated their live performances to a new level. With this new lineup, Rare Blend released their second CD, Infinity, in 2000, cycling through grooves of jazz, fusion, rock, funk, Latin, and progressive twists. The band continued their journey of blending styles and genres with their third CD release, Evolution Theory, in June 2002. This album proved to be their most diverse and creative work to date, mixing jazz, rock, fusion, and world music.
In 2005, the group welcomed Vince Broncaccio, a veteran drummer from Northeast Ohio. His feel and spontaneity brought a fresh nuance to the group, and during 2005, Rare Blend went into the studio to record their fourth CD, Stops Along The Way, released in 2006.
In 2007, the band introduced another new drummer, Ivan George. His experience and passion for fusion music anchored Rare Blend's plans for their fifth CD release, consisting of live recordings of Rare Blend material and improvisations.
Rare Blend has opened for 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. The band was also involved in co-sponsoring the first progressive rock event held in Cleveland, Ohio—the Cleveland Progressive Rock Fusion Fest in 2004.
They continue to receive favorable press reviews, radio airplay, and perform at various concerts and outdoor festivals. They have also been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs. Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend performs on bills that range from jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock.
Their musical influences include bands such as Tangerine Dream, Santana, Jeff Beck, Tribal Tech, Ozric Tentacles, Led Zeppelin, Vital Information, Yes, Sting, and 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 band with the addition of bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. Their fine musicianship added new texture to the original concept and elevated their live performances to a new level. With this new lineup, Rare Blend released their second CD, Infinity, in 2000, cycling through grooves of jazz, fusion, rock, funk, Latin, and progressive twists. The band continued their journey of blending styles and genres with their third CD release, Evolution Theory, in June 2002. This album proved to be their most diverse and creative work to date, mixing jazz, rock, fusion, and world music.
In 2005, the group welcomed Vince Broncaccio, a veteran drummer from Northeast Ohio. His feel and spontaneity brought a fresh nuance to the group, and during 2005, Rare Blend went into the studio to record their fourth CD, Stops Along The Way, released in 2006.
In 2007, the band introduced another new drummer, Ivan George. His experience and passion for fusion music anchored Rare Blend's plans for their fifth CD release, consisting of live recordings of Rare Blend material and improvisations.
Rare Blend has opened for 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. The band was also involved in co-sponsoring the first progressive rock event held in Cleveland, Ohio—the Cleveland Progressive Rock Fusion Fest in 2004.
Band Members
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Ohio (OH)
Genre: Instrumental Rock