LATE NIGHT GROOVE SERIES: THE BOOGIE HUSTLERS

FEATURING:
Sean Rig, lead vocals, guitars
David Chapman Jamison, drums
Ryan Meals, guitars
Anthony Pecora, bass
Howie Alexander, keys, vocals
Reggie Watkins, trombone, vocals
Rick Matt, saxophone
Gene Stovall, lead vocals
Margot B., lead vocals

Rooted in the heavy pocket grooves of funky soul and jazz artists of past and present, the Boogie Hustlers collective began piecing itself together in 2003. Creating original music in the vein of their funk-forefathers the band started a forward-thinking musical evolution. Drawing from numerous styles including Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, Fusion, and time-tested Pop music, The Boogie Hustlers are four years deep into a journey of expanding musical horizons. Their mission: to bring positivity and spirituality back into the live music scene and onto the radio.

On stage and on record what comes across is the honesty and passion of the players involved. The vision of bandleader and founding member Sean Rig is evident in every carefully orchestrated note and lyric on the album "122 Ellsworth," the group's debut release. Released in January 2006 the album quickly garnered critical acclaim beyond just the Pittsburgh music scene. Making it into high rotation airplay at WYEP-FM brought the Hustlers a new fanbase. Making it onto the reputable radio station's year-end top 50 Albums list gave the band an added boost and made their selection by Leeway's Homegrown Music Network as the Best New Band of 2006 that much sweeter. The Boogie Hustlers' realm of touring options began to open up.

The Hustlers' live shows are where they really shine. Connecting to the audience with tight horns, crushing drums, super-funky guitars, badass bass, and two engaging vocalists of differing styles, the positivity they've made their mission comes out in full-on uplifting r&b/soul swing. The Boogie Hustlers are equally adept at soaring funky instrumentals, and have played venues on the soul, jam, jazz, and funk scenes all over the eastern half of the country. Vermont to Georgia, North Carolina to Illinois, New York City to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between the fans that have been touched by the band's positive dance music, in turn, make it worthwhile for this rotating cast of musicians to spread the love in greater swaths of the country.

The Boogie Hustlers are now happy to include two of Pittsburgh's most talented vocalists to share singing duties with Rigs. Margot B. and Gene Stovall add their unique flavors and vocal abilities to the group's loving and positive sound, rounding it out with some true soul fire. Also new to the band for this appearance at the Blue Note are Reggie Watkins (bandleader for the late, great Maynard Ferguson) and Rick Matt, a veteran of the Temptations' traveling show.