The SFJ Story
“…Get Out Yer Seat and Shake It Contagious…” …is what the
Colorado
Blues Society said about the band’s first release, SOL~FED~JOE Live, in
2000. Since that time, the band has performed hundreds of shows
across the state of Colorado and in cities
across the Midwest. Playing countless smoky nightclubs virtually
non-stop for years, these guys really have “paid their dues” – to use a common
cliché. Whether it’s an intimate venue or a large festival,
SOL~FED~JOE has kept audiences sweating on dance floors and begging for more at
each performance. They’ve been known to extend a typical three set show several
hours – with a band record of over 7 hours on stage! Mixing originals ranging from sultry, jazzy
blues to rockabilly to soulful funk and r&b, and only the hippest, coolest
non-cliché covers, they’ve developed a unique style that Denver fans have termed the Sol Fed sound. Formed by Edwin Jeffreys and Troy Fox in Autumn 1999,
over the years many of Denver
’s finest musicians have been part of SOL~FED~JOE. Appearing as either a trim, four piece combo
or a full band incorporating multiple vocalists, horns and keys, the band has
built a strong reputation across Colorado
for their passionate, high energy, soulful performances. After a two year hiatus from performing, Troy and Edwin began to reform SOL~FED~JOE in
early 2008. With renewed vigor and an exhaustive search, they rebuilt the entire
band with a select group of seasoned musicians.
Then, with a red hot band in place, they added a new dimension to the
Sol Fed sound with the addition of the dynamic vocalist, Catherine Allen. Professionally trained, Catherine boasts a
tremendously powerful, soulful voice reminiscent of the great soul and r&b singers
of the 60’s. Not simply a collection of standout performers, each
player’s talents and style fits hand in glove with the rest, resulting in a
tight, cohesive, synergistic sound that both shakes your booty and heals your
soul. With over 125 combined years of
professional performing experience, the new SOL~FED~JOE is poised to quickly
regain and surpass their long held reputation as one of Colorado’s most
exciting and unique high energy rhythm & blues groups. So, let your heart sing, let your feet dance, let your
hair down and dig the SOL~FED~JOE sound.
The musicians are:
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~ Troy Fox ~
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Troy has fronted SOL~FED~JOE
since the very first rehearsal in 1999. He's known at all the hottest venues in town for his tremendous
voice and soul drenched harmonica style. His influences include Sonny
Terry, Junior Wells, Kim Wilson, and many others, yet Troy prides himself on
forging his own style. Just click on over to our music page for a healthy sampling of his talents.
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~ Edwin Jeffreys ~
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Edwin,
originally from Chicago, grew up absorbing local blues acts such as
Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, and other West Side
heroes. After more than fifteen years and well over 500 live
performances across the state of Colorado with various blues based
bands, he's developed a funky, soulful style rooted in the styles of
the great r&b legends. He's shared stages over the last few
years with such notable guitar heroes as Tab Benoit and Hanilton Loomis.
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~ Steve Riedel ~
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Steve is
our newest member and the band couldn't be more excited to have him join
us. A New Jersey native and Berklee College of Music grad, he has
performed all across the east coast with regional touring bands for
decades. Whether it's a sultry rhumba, jazzy swing, straight ahead rock, or New Orleans street
beat, Steve brings an impeccable sense of style,
meter, and dynamics.
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~ Bob Hetsko ~
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Born in Ealing, England
- home to Alexis Korner's Killing Floor - Bob was infused with the blues
literally from birth. His style is steeped in the sounds of the
British blues based 60's bands. Here in Denver, Bob has been laying
it down for countless bands over the last 20+ years. A multi-instrumentalist,
Bob lists Willie Dixon, Keith Ferguson, Bill Wyman, Berry Oakley, and Jack
Bruce as influences. When not on stage with SFJ, he can often be found
performing with Denver area rockers, 42 Seconds.
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~ Jason Justice ~
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Jason is a decades long veteran of the Denver music scene. Since his days with local
rhythm & blues favorites, Diana Castro and the Big Time, he has been
involved with a wide variety of projects and music styles ranging from big
band, bebop, dixieland and
modern jazz to classical to theatre performance. His horns ooze with
soul. For more on Jason,
visit him at his personal website
here.
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~ Moses ~
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What can we say about someone who is
both the baddest and coolest keyboard player in town. This cat mixes
the sounds of James Booker, Fats Domino, Gene Taylor, and Professor
Longhair all into a style so hip you'd think he's Keith Godchaux. He
plays in a number of performing bands in Colorado and we are honored to
have him. Stay tuned for more on Moses. |
Featuring:
~ Catherine Allen ~
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Catherine adds a new soul/r&b
dimension to the SFJ sound. Brand new to the Colorado music scene,
she is a powerhouse vocalist who can belt out gut bucket blues and melt
you with sweet, sultry ballads. She's the area's best kept secret
and is ready to leave an indelible mark on the scene. Look for
Catherine at our live shows beginning late summer '08.
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~ Greg Brosius ~
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Greg performs with SFJ at selected shows primarily as an organist. With an
extensive professional bio
encompassing several decades, he can play it all from boogie woogie piano
to thundering Hammond organ sounds. Da Man's got Da Funk. And
we ain't lyin' either.
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