Eastlawn Records Artists

Eastlawn Artist Biographies...

Odessa Harris

Geno Parks

Sun Sounds Orchestra

Alberta Adams

Vocalist Odessa Harris represents a generation of artists connected to the birth of rhythm and blues popular in American music. Deeply rooted in the musical traditions of The Mississippi Delta region, her charismatic performances consistently display an innate ability to express themes in music that transcend classification. In a career that spans over five decades, Ms. Harris continues to deliver a diverse selection of music guaranteed to warm the heart of any audience.

Born in West Helena, Arkansas on June 8, 1936 – Odessa Harris began singing in the choir at a local Baptist Church. After a few years of singing with various bands at local gambling establishments (“crap houses”), Ms. Harris landed an engagement with James “Peck” Curtis and The King Biscuit Boys on radio station KFFA 1360am during the Peabody award-winning blues radio program, “King Biscuit Time” – she was 14 years old at the time! This led to a tour as a featured vocalist with Robert Nighthawk.

In the pursuit of further exposure, she worked with a touring carnival show managed by entrepreneur Jerry Jackson between 1949-1953. Frustrated with conditions in the industry, Ms. Harris relocated to Jacksonville, Florida where she became a fixture in the local nightclubs. During the summer of 1959, Ms. Harris and a few girlfriends visited a local nightclub in order to hear visiting artist, B.B. King. Upon request of the audience, Ms. Harris joined the band for a few tunes. At the end of the performance, Odessa was summoned to visit the artist dressing room, where Mr. King invited her to join his organization, with one stipulation – “if you want a job, the bus leaves in the morning.” Ms. Harris accepted the invitation, working as a featured vocalist with B.B. King from 1959 until 1961, recording two 45(s) for The Uptown label – highlighted by an energetic performance of Buddy Johnson’s, “Since I fell for you.” Upon her departure in 1961, she found new management and relocated to Miami, Florida. A chance meeting with Clive Davis facilitated recording sessions in New York for Capitol records. Although this material was released on two 45-Lp(s), all publicity for these recordings was neglected in lieu of management for Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington.

Upon the recommendation of her manager, Jack Millman, Ms. Harris moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1972. After several years working as a freelance vocalist in the Midwest, she reconnected with drummer Sonny Freeman (Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King). Sonny Freeman and the Unusuals (featuring Odessa Harris) and was a fixture in the Midwest rhythm & blues circuit until the death of Mr. Freeman in the late 1980’s. Ms. Harris retired from her active performance schedule, seeking shelter within the community of a local Buddhist temple.

During her hiatus from the music industry, Odessa was consistently encouraged by jazz trumpeter and fellow Buddhist Marcus Belgrave (Ray Charles, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra) to reconsider public performance. A visit to The Music Menu Café with Mr. Belgrave yielded an introduction to drummer/manager R.J. Spangler. For the past three years, Ms. Harris has made select appearances in Southeastern Michigan and northern Ohio with an ensemble under the direction of R.J. Spangler, featuring guitarist John Barron and organist Duncan McMillan. The Easy Life (Eastlawn records), her first recording in over 30 years, is available now.

Geno Parks, born Gene Purifoy in the Fairfield area of Alabama, traveled to Detroit to visit his mother in 1954. Through a chance meeting, he ended up recording at Fortune records. He became a member of Andre Williams New Group, singing first tenor in 1955. After Andre hit with Bacon Fat nationally, he took Geno on the road and they toured as a duo, singing in front of Tab Smith's swinging outfit. Back in Detroit, he and Williams worked at all the top spots in Detroit; Denny's Show Bar, The 20 Grand, Lee's Sensation Lounge and Phelp's Lounge. It should be noted that on his Fortune sides and live shows Geno was often backed by Joe Weaver's Blue Notes.

In 1960 Geno singed with Motown's Berry Gordy, but nothing came out until 1961 (on Gordy's Tamela imprint). He cut Same Thing and That's No Lie in one session. These tunes show Geno at his incredibly soulful best. Geno cut more sides for Tamela in 1962, reunited with his good friend Andre Williams, but this time Williams was the producer. After Tamela, Geno signed with Golden World, where he cut Talking About My Baby and My Sophisticated Lady, again backed by Motown's Funk Brothers (including Joe Hunter on piano).

Geno, now retired and living the Atlanta, Georgia, area has returned to Detroit a number of times to sing. He made his European debut at the prestigious Blues Estefette in the fall of 2003. This 3-song mini CD was taken from a live broadcast on the Willy Wilson Show on WDET in Detroit and features RJ Spangler (drums), Paul Carey (guitar), James Simonson (bass), Joe Piccolo (sax) and Duncan McMillan (piano and Wurlitzer elec piano), who served as musical director. Check it out; he is as soulful as ever.

In 1991 the Eastlawn label released the Sun Sounds Orchestra's debut recording, "Open The Doors". The Sun Sounds Orchestra was a 13/14 piece big band that was based in Detroit. The founders, Rick Steiger, RJ Spangler and Paul Carey, had all played together in a group called the Sun Messengers, which played a mix of jazz, New Orleans R&B and world music, all with a distinctive Detroit flavor. As the Messengers moved toward a more straight R&B approach, they still wanted to still play the African charts that was at their core sound. Enter the Sun Sounds Orchestra, playing South African Township arrangements inspired by Chris McGregger's Brotherhood of the Breath, Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) and Hugh Masekela. This CD also features a great minor tune by Fela Kuti.

The musicians involved are stalwart members of the Messengers and their usual associates like saxists Mark Keime and Larry Lamb, trombonist John "T-Bone" Paxton, trumpeter James O'Donnell, percussionists Akunda Hollis and Steve Morris, drummer Jerome Spearman and Lyman Woodard on piano. Lyman is a very well known jazz organist and Latin music lover. Trumpeter Walt Szymanski is a special guest who has gone on to do quite well in NYC, where he is associated with Frank Foster, George Gee and Alex Harding. The leaders, Rick Steiger (bari/alto sax), Paul Carey (guitar) and RJ Spangler (perc.), round out the ensemble, with Spangler serving as producer. The CD won a "Best World Beat Recording" award from the Motorcity Music Awards that year.

This is an excellent recording that features some wonderful African compositions and a few originals in the African jazz tradition. It also has some great ensemble playing with time tested arrangements and journeyman soloists. You can tell the guys really enjoyed these sessions. The CD also features original artwork by famed Detroit artist Tyree Guyton (http://www.heidelberg.org).

Alberta Adams, born Roberta Louise Osborne, is a Detroit blues and jump blues singer born in Indianapolis, Indiana sometime in the early 1920s. She was raised in Detroit, Michigan by a relative, and got her break in the 1940s performing in a club on Hastings Street amidst other artists like John Lee Hooker.

Soon after she landed a contract with Chess Records and recorded alongside Red Saunders for the label. She found herself touring with the likes of Duke Ellington, Eddie Vinson and Louis Jordan, only to name a few. Her solo career really did not lift off ground until the 1990s, when she landed a contract with the now defunct Cannonball Records and recorded two albums for them, 1999s "Born With the Blues" and 2000s "Say Baby Say". In 2004 she recorded "I'm on the Move", for the Eastlawn Records label.

She has been the undisputed Queen of the Blues in Detroit for many decades.