LIVE NRG! by NRG with NICOLE HART

“There’s a piece of me in every lyric I write; emotion I’ve felt, situations I’ve experienced, even wisdom I’ve gained. I write what is true for me.”

Straddling the diverse musical terrain as defined by such icons as Susan Tedeschi, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, & Janis Joplin, Nicole's timeless, powerful, intoxicating voice is beautifully soul-sweet ~ silky, then gritty ~ classic, yet absolutely contemporary.

Nicole has sung with Billy Joel & is featured on-camera in his “All About Soul” video from the River of Dreams CD. She has recorded or performed with many other artists, including Harry Belafonte, Michael Monroe & Michael Bolton, as well as having recorded for movies & television, including director Jonathan Demi’s “Something Wild”. Her electrifying stage presence is renowned. She is available for corporate or private functions, festivals and nightclubs. She also coaches voice.

LANCE ONG(David Sanborn, Grand Funk Railroad, Pointer Sisters), Keyboards: His masterful command of the keyboards is undisputed, & he is absolutely one of the most exciting and versatile soloists on the scene today. He was part of a team that produced, wrote & arranged over 700 National Network TV commercials, & was nominated for two Clio Awards. His record credits include a Grammy Award winning album by Andre Crouch, David Sanborn, The Pointer Sisters, Grand Funk Railroad, Michael Murphy, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Anne Murray, Johnny Halliday and Sylvie Vartan (French), Trini Lopez, Erykah Badu & many others, & his compositions have been performed by Liza Minelli & Rosemary Clooney.

VONNIE HUDSON(THE SHADES)Five String Bass: Bringing the funky feel to the fore is virtuosic bassist, Vonnie Hudson (The Shades), Whether laying down his mesmerizing groove or enrapturing audiences with his exceptional soloing, Vonnie is one of the great bass talents to come out of New York. His playing undeniably personifies the 4 “T’s” of great musicianship: touch, taste, tone & timbre, & rounds out THE NRG BAND Rhythm Section for a totally satisfying, funky finesse.

JOE PITEO (Gil Parris, The Hopeless Romantics), Drums: Hard-driving rhythms, tight grooves, thrilling solos, Joe Piteo delivers all this and more. His playing is, alternately, spare then wittily complex, & always exciting. Locking tight with Bassist Vonnie Hudson, Joe’s playing makes an exceptionally firm foundation for NRG.

Guest Guitarists:

Grammy-nominee GIL PARRIS(David Sanborn) is one of very few artists who have 5 nationally released albums in over four different genres: R&B, smooth jazz, traditional jazz and blues. He has solo albums on RCA/BMG ("Gil Parris shines through as the brightest star in the genre since Larry Carlton" -Guitar One Magazine), Okra-Tone/Koch ("Parris has the goods and all seven cuts here show it" -Vintage Guitar), and his own "Jam This" release ("When it comes to improvising epic, crowd-pleasing solos in an eclectic range of styles, Parris is more than qualified to deliver the goods" -Guitar Player);

RICH COHEN ~ Rich steps to the plate with his multi-dimensional playing ranging from ripping blues solos to sensitive jazz nuances to funk & raw rock n roll. Performance and recording credits include: Rickie Lee Jones, Buddy Miles, Lucky Peterson, Billy Branch, Magic Slim, Don Was, Phoebe Snow, Gavin Degraw, Was (Not Was), Randy Jacobs & The Boneshakers, Ted Hawkins, Bill Simms, and numerous others.

DAVE GROSS is a 22 year old guitar phenomenon who recently released his second CD produced by former "Roomful of Blues" guitarist, Duke Robillard, & has won a nomination from the Blues Foundation as Best New Artist for 2007. Dave is a rising star whose ability on guitar has been commended by Hubert Sumlin, Debbie Davies, & Poppy Chubby.

Special Guest STANLEY BEHRENS, Harmonica & Tenor sax:

Stanley has toured with Ruth Brown, recorded two records with Willie Dixon, three records with Jimmy Smith, “Friends in the Can” for Canned Heat alongside guest artists John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rogers, Corey Stevens and Walter Trout, & recorded for more television shows & movies than we can name here. We were very fortunate that he flew out from the west coast to perform with us this summer. For more on Stanley, simply GOOGLE him!

REVIEWS!

"Record label scouts take note: Nicole Hart & The NRG Band gots chops! The independently-released "Live NRG" (***) is a splendid showcase for frontwoman Hart and the trusty NRG Band. Though recorded live the sound is crystal clear and mixed right. They slip into a tight groove on the Jazzy Blues original "I Heard", written by keyboardist Lang Ong allowing Gil Parris (David Sanborn) to flex his guitar digits. Guitarist Rich Cohen is also impressive on the instrumental cover of The Allman Brothers "Hot'Lanta" which also has Ong unleashing layers of icy organ and funky drums by Joe Piteo. A great take! Also noteworthy is the version of Koko Taylor's "Voodoo Woman" with Hart delivering a particularly confident vocal."

Dylann DeAnna: BLUESCRITIC.COM

"Simply called "Live NRG," the CD by this premiere ensemble sparkles with energy and and starts your body swaying to the rhythm. The band is aptly named. A New Rhythm Groove inspires one to move to the solid beat and instills a strong desire to hit the dance floor. The musicianship and vocals carry the listener along on a musical journey spanning a cohesive mix of Blues, soul, funk and R&B. Through all seven tracks, the CD had us swaying to the seductive sounds of Nicole Hart's sultry vocals and the bands rock solid rhythms. If you love your Blues mixed in with a touch of soul and sprinkled with a bit of good old fashioned rock n' roll, The NRG Band delivers! A great party band, we recommend spinning this one whenever you want to wake up and get your groove going."

~ Robert John, Correspondent, BARRELHOUSE BLUES

"The NRG Band with Nicole Hart takes a big step forward with this live release. The core of the group, vocalist Nicole Hart and musical mastermind, keyboardist Lance Ong, introduce original material. As Ms. Hart sings in Mr. Ong's composition, "I Heard," "the clock is ticking, baby...it's time to draw the line." And they do just that. With Gil Parris and Rich Cohen alternating on guitar, the rhythm section of drummer Joe Piteo and bassist Vonnie Hudson create a jazzy, R&B groove reminiscent of The Doobie Brothers. Take it a step further. Imagine that classic band fronted by a beautiful blonde with a gospel voice and all the moves of Tina Turner. Get the picture?"

~ Roger Z, THE WORKING MUSICIAN

"Hart can give Sade a blues make over that is simply moving. The band lays it down with soul/jazz that caresses and soothes one moment and riles up hot and burning the next. NRG shakes and shimmies the blues with a powerful beat and genuine feel of loss and pain..."

~ Mark "Dr. Blues" Gresser, LIBS Reviews

"Nicole Hart belts out the Blues...She's a Heartbreaker" ~ North Shore Sun"

Nicole Hart of NRG...This blonde bombshell’s sweet, sultry and energetic vocals brought the audience into her hands." ~ White Plains Times

"NRG BAND IS OFF THE HOOK !!!!!! LOVE YOUR GROOVE....LEAVES A GREAT TASTE IN YOUR SOUL !!!!!!"

~ Alexis P.Suter, LEVON HELM'S MIDNIGHT RAMBLE

“Spectacular vocals & instrumentals bring their considerable talents together to rock your world: Rhythm & Blues at its finest!” ~ BARRELHOUSE BLUES, recipient, USA Today’s coveted “Hot Site” award & “Livin’Blues” Gold award for Virtual Excellence on the Web.

"TOUR DE FORCE" ~ LONG ISLAND BLUES SOCIETY, REVIEWS

“A top notch band of immense talents...something special in a world cluttered with the ‘next best things’...this band IS the next best thing...” ~ UNITED JERSEY BLUES NETWORK

"High energy, action-packed show. A real crowd pleaser!" ~ Tom Gahan, Producer, RIVERHEAD BLUES FESTIVAL

"First rate Rhythm & Blues show...hits all the right grooves in all the right places!" ~ Mike Moss, Producer, BLUES 2005 FESTIVAL

“Ms. Hart unleashes a torrent of emotion. Slinging his keyboard over his shoulders like a guitar, Lance attacks it just like a guitar - his stinging vibrato drives the crowd into frenzy.” ~ NEW YORK BLUES & JAZZ SOCIETY REVIEWS

“The group is one hard workin’, soulfunkin’, blues jumpin’ R&B revue.” ~ RHYTHM & NEWS MAGAZINE

“Terrific!!” ~ BLUESVIEWS

"Great! The crowd's favorite!" ~ Bob Putignano, President NY Blues & Jazz Society, 2003 KeepingThe Blues Alive award recipient, contributing writer Goldmine Magazine, & Blues Music Association Communications Committee www.BluesMusicAssociation.org

“Great keyboard work by Lance Ong & vocals from Nicole Hart.” ~ BLUES REVUE

“Wrote the book on putting on a perfect show. Their sound treated the blues in the highest regard. They exemplified how the blues doesn’t have to be just a simple twelve-bar phrase.” ~ GOOD TIMES MAGAZINE

“A big sound steeped in Jazz, R&B, Blues & Rock with incredibly soulful vocals. This band really knows how to cook with a blazing musical bonfire.” ~ MUSICMORSELS

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