Rare Blend Variety Band from Cleveland, OH

Rare Blend is where rock, jazz, fusion, and world music collide! This statement definitively sums up the instrumental music group, home based in Cleveland Ohio. PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT PERFORM WEDDINGS!!! Theirs is a journey that started during the independent music revolution, and that has no intention of slowing down. Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles to write unique instrumental arrangements, Rare Blend's music appeals to purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original music. 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. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, Los Lobos, and others... PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT PERFORM WEDDINGS!!! Rare Blend's new Disc "Stops Along The Way" took the band on the road metaphorically, with the disc chronicling their travels in 13 compositions. Each piece is rich in personality and instrumentation. Many are structured pieces but the disc also introduces 3 "live" improvisation tracks, and 2 vocal tracks that echo our universal connection. Our musical directions are quite varied and are compared to such groups as Santana, Steely Dan, Yes, Tribal Tech, Spyro Gyra, Phish, Jeff Beck, Etc.. We are always looking for opportunities to perform and are flexible with our booking rate, dependant on travel expenses and other variables. Please note, in addition to our original music the band rounds out performance sets with covers by artists such as: Sting, Santana, Vital Information, John Scofield, etc.. Press Quotes on Rare Blend: To my way of thinking, "Stops Along the Way" is very close to the status of a masterpiece. Overall, this is a wonderfully impressive album that may change the minds of any who still don't believe a truly progressive confluence of composed and improvised music is possible. Highly recommended! (Vitaly Menshikov / ProgressoR - Tashkent, Uzbekistan) The traditional jazz compositions are mellow and very pleasant while the harder ones create diversity and make the album more interesting. Their varied influences have paid off to produce a superior album.(DA /Guitar Digest - The Plains, OH) Wonderful compilation of tracks. I have been waiting for this release since the announcement of a new project was in the works. Get this one, and then you're hooked. You'll get the other three, like I did. (RB fan / Baltimore, MD) STOPS ALONG THE WAY definitely lives up to the group's musical history of blending several genres of music to come up with a unique and refreshing sound.(Charles Cassady & Michelle Payne /Westlife News - Westlake, OH) Rare Blend takes a metaphorical journey on its new CD. The disc on the whole is a heady experiment and as always, the band combines bites of fusion, progressive rock, and funk. (Jeff Niesel / Free Times Magazine - Cleveland, OH) "Stops Along The Way" is Rare Blend's most efficient recording. The songs naturally jump genres while traveling through an aural landscape that's filled with songs that pretty much fit their titles. (Michael Gallucci / Scene Magazine - Cleveland, OH) "Stops Along the Way" is for those who prefer to take their time and sightsee. It's meant for those who stop to smell the roses each time and also appreciate every detail. The performance of these musicians is extremely patient, giving the listener a chance to process each piece and suck it all in. (Joshua Turner / Upbeat and More - Milwaukee, WI) Rare Blend's "Evolution Theory", is a solid, impressive effort that highlights its diversity and musical precision...(Mick Skidmore / Relix Magazine - New York, NY) Versatility, Thy name is Rare Blend. Working a rainbow spectrum of styles and doing them all justice, this band truly delivers on its name. First Rate!...(Alex S. Johnson / Progression Magazine - Lowell, MA) It's really astonishing what brilliant bands you can discover if you dig deeper and don't rely on the crap being published by most of big major companies. 'Evolution theory' should appeal to everyone who likes a good rocking mixture of Jazz Rock / Fusion with a light Latin and Funk touch. (Kristian Selm / Progressive Newsletter - Leonberg, Germany) If you're looking for something that isn't your standard run-of-the-mill, over-produced musical experience, I highly suggest you check out Rare Blend either live or on CD. I guarantee it will be worth the time! (Revue Magazine - Akron, OH) I recently took a trip to Cleveland and happened upon a radio station( 89.3 ) I believe, and heard some of your music. I was blown away, mostly because I too was a professional musician in the late 70s early 80s and enjoyed this style of music. It is refreshing to hear that it is still as alive as it was then! (Jimmy Valentine - RB Fan) This album (Infinity) was well performed and is a great find for the avid jazz fan. You will discover a great talent here and will be anxious for more. I know I am..(Nefarious Entertainment Magazine - Milan, IL)