SPOTLIGHT ARTISTS

Devoted To Highlighting Musical Talent

Bill Dowling

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Bill Dowling is an extremely gifted and nationally recognized trumpet player who recently completed a comprehensive tour as the lead trumpet for the Tootsie National Tour.  Bill is also the leader and founder of a new and progressive band on the block, Horn Engine. 
 
Bill is a “Yamaha Performing Artist” and also has the distinct honor of being “the last trumpet player to ever hold the lead trumpet position with the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus.”
 
You can find his profile in the book “The New Face of Jazz,” by Cicily Janus, published by Random House.
 
Bill was born in Stamford, CT.  When he first heard the sound and swing of Louis Armstrong in grade school, he knew he wanted to pursue music professionally.   Bill’s journey took him to the Berklee School of Music, as well as the University of Bridgeport on scholarship, and eventually to New York City where he studied under Ed Truedel, former professor of trumpet at Julliard. 
 
New York City provided Bill with the perfect path to pursue his career.  He worked on some of the best shows New York could offer, including lead trumpet on a production of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies,” a international touring production of Savion Glover’s Tony Award winning “Bring In Da’ Noise, Bring In Da’ Funk,” “Miss Saigon,” and “Les Miserables.”
 
Bill also had the opportunity to work with some of the best big bands in New York City, including The Duke Ellington Orchestra, and The Dave Murray Big Band.  Because he was such an exceptional talent with incredible range, Bill was also in demand as musician touring internationally with the likes of KC and the Sunshine Band, Aretha Franklin, Paul Anka, The Al McKay All-Stars. and The Temptations.
 
 Looking to grow musically and to expand on his experiences, Bill started the group Horn Engine.  Joining him on the production side is legendary saxophonist, producer, arranger, and recording artist Tom Saviano, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, and Michael Jackson.
 
Bill Dowling’s work with Horn Engine has helped him to develop his own unique style and approach to the trumpet as a recording artist. So we look forward to the collaboration with Horn Engine and the band Heat, led by Tom Saviano’s band “Heat to incorporate new techniques and ideas into this changing musical Landscape with new music in 2023. 

Henry Johnson

Henry Johnson, one of Chicago’s finest musicians and guitarist, is a long-time member of Ramsey Lewis’ band, the Urban Knights, and former member of Donny Hathaway’s band.  

Chicago-born, Henry began playing the guitar at age twelve, before moving to Memphis, TN with his family.  It was during those formative years that he got into gospel and R&B music, and jazz.  Henry’s earliest influences were Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Joe Williams, George Benson, and Wes Montgomery.

When Henry and his family moved back to Chicago in the late 60’s, he developed a reputation as one of best young jazz musicians on the Southside of Chicago.  

Henry’s accomplishments early in his career was impressive. He toured and recorded with the likes of jazz organist Jack McDuff, Donny Hathaway, Ramsey Lewis and jazz legend Joe Williams.  

“You’re The One,” Henry’s debut solo record, released on MCA/Impulse, reached  #1 status on both the Radio & Records NAC chart, and Contemporary Jazz chart for two months.  The recording also received a five star rating in Downbeat magazine, and was nominated for a Grammy. 

In September 2019, Ramey Lewis’ Urban Knights released their 7th album.  Still making it happen on guitar was Henry Johnson.  One of the highlights of the album was a beautiful reinterpretation of the groups “The Rose” which was initially released on the Urban Knights debut album which was produced by Maurice White.   The contemporary flavors to the arrangement, along with some serious musicianship from Henry Johnson on guitar, shows that Henry is still one of the best musicians in the business. 

Ray Fuller

My first introduction to Ray Fuller was in 1987 when he appeared on Earth, Wind & Fire’s song “Thinking of You” from the group’s album “Touch The World.”

When you are endorsed by Maurice White on an Earth, Wind & Fire album, no further  information was needed to pick up Ray’s debut solo album “The Weeper” the moment it was available. 

When your schedule permits, check out the convergence of great talent on “The Weeper,” which was independently released by Ray in 2004, and features the participation of George Duke, Phil Perry, Ricky Lawson, Ivan Lins, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Lorber, Larry Kimpel, Dave Kochanski, Branford Marsalis, Larry Kimpel, and others.  

Ray has also found success on tour and in the recording studio.  He has performed with and/or served as the Musical Director for the likes of George Duke, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Al Jarreau, Darryl Hall, Whitney Houston –and so many more.  If you are a fan of the great George Duke, who called Ray (The Weeper,) then you know about his classic jam “No Rhyme, No Reason” from the album “Snapshot.”  The smooth sounds you hear on guitar throughout is Ray Fuller.

A native of Chicago, Ray attended Chicago’s Kenwood Academy of the Arts and furthered his development at The American Conservatory of Music.  Southern California is Ray’s home base now, and he is actively performing in many of the top venues in the area.  

Opening a new chapter in his career, Woodward Avenue Records recently announced they have signed Ray to their label.  So we are truly keeping our eyes open for new music from Ray, and we hope you keep him in mind when you are looking for great live music to enjoy.

To learn more about Ray, follow the link to his personal webpage. 

https://www.arayfuller.com/

Michael O’Neill

Currently on tour with legendary recording artist and guitarist George Benson, guitarist Michael O’Neill continues reign supreme as a highly sought after studio and tour musician.  O’Neill, who grew up in the Los Angeles area and was introduced to music at age from his family, has been part of George Benson’s touring band for 40 years.  That in itself explains the level of respect and appreciation his peers has for Michael in the recording industry.  He has also been on tour or recorded with heavyweight’s like Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, Stevie Wonder, and Ronnie Foster.  One of his biggest accomplishments as a young professional musician was being onboard for “The Crusaders” 1979 “Street Life Tour.”

Michael actually started out playing bass, but eventually switched to guitar.  He attributes his earliest musical experiences to the great Wes Montgomery and Stevie Wonder, which explains why he has always moved seamlessly between multiple genres of music in his professional career.  

As a recording artist, Michael O’Neill has released numerous solo records, and continues to expand his music portfolio in the television and film industry.  His music can be heard on the “Real Housewives of Miami,” “Million Dollar Listing,” “Brooklyn Big Style,” “Brother of Honor,” and many more thru his Green Bean Music Production company.

You can get more information on Michael O’Neill from his webpage –https://michaeloneillmusic.net/


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