After several years' hiatus, The Bridgewalkers have reformed to
inhabit that musical space that only they, together, can conjure. A
distinctive alloy of Americana, rock, jazz, N Orleans, blues, and
funk, The Bridgewalkers music engages the soul and twerks the booty
like no other band since Little Feat--the groups initial muse.
Featuring both original music and distinctive covers, its soulful
grooves capture audiences with fiery edges, poignant beauty, and feral
audacity. Along with performances on major labels and in venues from
Carnegie Recital Hall, CBGBs, and the Lone Star Cafe in NYC to various
clubs in Austin, Texas, the Bridgewalkers' members are well integrated
into Maine's music scene, and have played in Maine venues ranging from
The Merrill Auditorium, Port City Music Hall, Blue, One Longfellow
Square, The Dogfish Bar & Grill, The Frog and the Turtle, and Seasons.
They've played in notable Maine bands including The Waiters, Under the
Covers, The Delta Knights, Rick Charette and His Bubblegum Band,
Andrea Re and Clouds, Vito and the Groove Kings, Northern Groove, and
many others. The Bridgewalkers was started by former NYC-based
guitarist, singer, and songwriter JT Stivers, who has recorded with
Rahmlee Davis (Phenix Horns, Phil Collins), seminal rapper Curtis Blow
(with Bob Dylan and George Clinton), and vocalist Brent Carter (Tower
of Power, Average White Band). Stivers has also performed with members
of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Barry White Orchestra, Cameo, the
Michael Jackson Band, Roy Ayers' Ubiquity, and The Temptations. When
not riding herd on these crazy Bridgewalkers, Stivers still plays with
Mel and the Riff-Raff at their monthly session at Portlands Dogfish
Cafe. Stivers alt-country ballad This Picture of You was featured in
Recording Magazine, who said it is Sublime...a joy to behold. Stivers
has also worked with The Bridgewalkers' drummer, songwriter and singer
Tom Blackwell, to produce two CDs of original music: 2016's Threadbare
Agnostic and a new CD to be released in 2020 titled 'Til the Ship Goes
Down. Aside from his groove-master drumming (the heart beat of such
bands as The Waiters, Rick Charette, Andrea Re and Clouds, and Vito
and the Groove Kings), Blackwell is an accomplished recording
engineer, mixer, and producer, having cofounded Portland's The Studio
and recorded such luminaries as bassist Ron Carter, Rod Stewart,
Richie Havens, Barbara Bush (audio book!), and Devonsquare. The
Bridgewalkers best-kept secret may be pianist Geoffrey Ives, whom
Stivers coaxed out of retirement a few years ago to join the original
Bridgewalkers. From Herbie Hancock to Chopin, from Bill Payne to
Gershwin, Ives skill and range is astonishing, and his compositions
and solos are a highlight of Bridgewalkers performances. Previous to
this, Geoffrey studied classical piano with Bates College
Artist-in-Residence Frank Glazer. Since then, Ives has played with
Cuppagroove, The Delta Knights, and Bread & Circus, and has gained a
reputation as one of southern Maines go-to pianists playing in a
variety of tribute performances at the Portland House of Music
featuring the music of the B 52s and The Commitments. Along with the
Bridgewalkers, Ives currently performs as Smoke-Show with singer Anna
Rose Shedd at Blue and other Portland-area venues. Lance Mohammad, The
Bridgewalkers newest member, hails from Worcester, MA. Lance started
his bass playing career at the age of 27 and soon joined his first
band, Runaway Brain, in 1997, playing with that group through many
iterations and names for over 20 years. Comfortable playing
progressive rock, soul, and everything in between, Lance has also
played with a variety of bands and musicians, including Maines premier
party band, Under the Covers. Some of his favorite bands include The
Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. Although hed not want it said,
Lance is a hell of a bass player and may be one of the best
guys...ever! Featuring... JT Stivers: Guitar and vocals Tom Blackwell:
Drums and vocals Geoffrey Ives: Piano and vocals Lance Mohammad: Bass
and vocals Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door.
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11/06/2020 Last update