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The new Blue Notes CD, Out of The Blue, is now available!!

-photo by Craig Cunningham

The Steve Himes "New Connection" is made up of two familiar faces and a new one.

Drummer Cliff Riley joins Steve and Chris Allen (the original bass player from the Steve Himes Connection) to form the trio.

With 30+ years of experience, Cliff Riley has appeared with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Don Ellis, The Diamonds, The Sound Express, Janna Parsley Project, The Zanter Trio, and a variety of other jazz groups locally including the Jazz Syndicate. Cliff, an active teacher, is a member of PDT (Vic Firth educational team), Percussion Arts Society (PAS), International Association for Jazz Education( Vice President/ President elect West Virginia Chapter), and a Zildjian endorser (ZAP)

Chris Allen, a recording and gigging musician for the past 15 years in the tri-state area was most recently a member of the Zanter Trio. Prior to that he held down the bass chair with the Bob Thompson Unit, but he has also appeared with Crazy Jane, the adrenaline-soaked Freak Tent, and has shared the stage with Ann Magnuson, and Fontella Bass of Motown renown. Chris has built his reputation on his expressive, virtuosic playing style.  He and Steve also frequently perform duets as Himes & Allen at a wide variety of venues.

The group plays many of the original compositions which appeared on the first two Connection CD's (interchange and Running Ahead Of Time) plus many jazz standards, new originals and selections from all over the musical map.

As with the earlier Connection, interplay among the players is key and, when the venue is right, each tune is approached as an opportunity for musical exploration.

For more information and to hear partial tracks from the CD's, click here.

-photo by Matt Huber

For more information contact:    himesconnection@suddenlink.net

The Steve Himes Connection, PO Box 6021, Charleston, WV, 25362