The Legendary JC's

Artist Information

Biography

Booking Agency: SJD Presents - Charlotte, NC
Bryan Dowling - Agent bryan.c.dowling@gmail.com
ph# 704 807 5206


“The J.C.’s shine as torchbearers.”
Creative Loafing of Tampa.

It all started with some sharkskin suits and Otis Redding tunes more than seven years ago. Since that point, the members of the The Legendary J.C.’s have ridden a wave of press accolades and flocks of sweaty fans to a point where they are ready for lift-off.

The Legendary J.C.’s (commonly: 'The J.C.’s') started flooring Central Florida crowds with their brand of soulful rocking blues in 2000.
Such over-the-top shows have garnered the band headlining slots at three consecutive years worth of NOLA Jazz Fest late-nights, Florida Music Festival and Macon, Ga.'s Bragg Jam, Springing in Blues festival in Jacksonville, Fl, a month at Monte Carlo Casino – Las Vegas, Tropical Heatwave in Tampa,Fl., Milledgeville BBQ Festival, Smoke on the Water BBQfest in Lakeland,Fl., Crawfish Fest in Tallahassee,Fl., Palatka Blue Crab Festival, Wingfest in Hilton Head island,N.C., Scallop Festival in Port St. Joe, Fl., Party in the Park in Painesville,Oh., and community events throughout the southeast. The J.C.’s have also headlined radio-station events for WMNF, WLOQ and WMMO. Other festival performances include Voodoo Music Experience, Langerado, LEAF festival, Down on the Farm, Bear Creek Music fest and Dunedin Mardi Gras.

A typical show touches on rootsy-blues music and rockin' the f*%k out, balls to the wall. We are not a jam band by any means, but we improvise a lot. So a typical show is really two -- the opening set we keep our songs four to five minutes long, but when we get deep into it, we can go for three or four hours.”

Charity work including benefit concerts for hurricane Charlie in Florida, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans musician fund,Boy's and Girl's club of Florida are also a part of the bands normal schedule.

The band has been in high demand at corporate functions, as well, playing for dignitaries of the G8 Summit, Canadien Parliament, US house of Representatives, Full Sail Recoeding arts, Harley-Davidson and Southern Comfort to name a few.

Not only does the band pay respects to their influences through their gold-standard original tunes, they have also performed with some including: James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Al Green. Other opening slots have included: Tab Benoit, Topaz, Robert Randolph, The Black Keys, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass band, Sam Rivers, Cowboy Mouth, J.J. Grey and Mofro, Stanton Moore, Greyboy Allstars, Robert Walters, Galactic, Blues Traveler and even Bad Company.


Web Site: www.myspace.com/thelegendaryjcs
Booking Agency: SJD Presents - Charlotte, NC
Bryan Dowling - Agent
email: www.bryan.c.dowling@gmail.com
ph# 704 807 5206

Instrumentation

Eugene Snowden - Lead Vocals & Percussion
Michael Lashinsky - Guitar
Roland Simmons - Guitar
Craig Cobb - Bass
Clay Watson - Trombone
David Skey - Saxophones
Katie Burkess - Vocals, background vocals
Jeremy Katalenic - Drums

Discography

2002 - The Church of What's Happenin' Now
2002 – Live at Tipitina’s
2003 - In Good Company- Live At Will's Pub
2007 - Open Day And Night – The Legendary J.C.’s Live
2011 - Our Time Will Come

Official Website

http://www.thejointchiefs.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Take The Time
  Listen  
• Hold On
  Listen  
• Our Time Will Come
  Listen  
• Everything
  Listen  
• Don't Mean That Much
  Listen  

Video

JC's Trailer

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review of 2/1/08 Tipitina's Show [+ Show ]
  

  "Within minutes, it became evident why these guys have been popping up all across the festival circu..."Within minutes, it became evident why these guys have been popping up all across the festival circuit. They are the living incarnation of Otis Day and the Nights. Frontman Eugene Snowden's James Brown-like enthusiasm and dance steps convinced the crowd early on to pick up their jaws and start shaking their hips."

• Q&A With Dean Snowden of the Legendary JC's, Playing the Back Room Tomorrow Night [+ Show ]
  

  Few frontmen are as wildly energetic as The Legendary JC's Eugene Snowden. Backed by a badass eight-...Few frontmen are as wildly energetic as The Legendary JC's Eugene Snowden. Backed by a badass eight-piece, he confidently recreates the soul revue sensations of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Snowden brings his own explosive quirks to the indelible personas created by such greats as James Brown and Al Green, two men with which he has shared a stage over the years.
  
  Legendary JC's (Joint Chiefs) songs are mostly originals Snowdens wrote or co-wrote. Lyrically, each has an ageless quality that speaks to universal themes like wanting the girl, making the girl and, then, inevitably losing the girl. The greasy grooves are time honored, goosed by punchy horns and put across with maximum swagger and sweat.
  
  Snowden cofounded the multinational, interracial ensemble about a decade ago in Orlando. The common thread that unites the J.C.'s -- a rather disparate group of men ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-40s -- is a love and understanding of old-school R&B.
  It's that adoration and respect for the Southern, blues-based heritage that invigorates Snowden. Crossfade caught up with the fast-talking singer on a recent Wednesday afternoon at his Central Florida home.
  
  New Times: The Legendary J.C.'s roster has undergone some recent changes. How's the new lineup gelling?
  
  Eugene Snowden: We're doing pretty good. We've changed the sound a bit; can't keep it exactly the same, but it's still all about the funk and soul of the late 1960s and early '70s -- that hybrid, which always harkens back to the blues of the '40s and '50s.
  
  When writing new material, how important is it to stick to the classic soul template?
  
  We keep the lyrics that way. You might hear sounds popular in 1975 -- but you're not going hear anything too far removed. Most of our original songs are just natural to write because it's a natural part of me.
  
  Where did you grow up?
  
  On Long Island but my mom's from North Carolina, where I was also [raised]. I'm half from the South, half from New York City. My momma's family all sang. My father and his side played jazz. [But] the South is where music began: blues in Memphis, jazz in New Orleans. There's no music movement that we invented that was not from the South.
  
  The energy level of your shows is amazing -- and key to your success. Is it tough to get up for every gig?
  
  The music itself gets me juiced. And keeping the music alive is enough of an impetus to keep me rocking and rolling and loving it.
  
  Your audience is quite eclectic. What do you think is it about your music that brings people from different ages and backgrounds and races together?
  
  A healthy respect for the roots. We might go off on jams -- we can all play jazz like John Coltrane, we love that, jamming on Otis Redding in that style. We stretch it out but not too much. And we get the audience involved ... It's the kind of show I would want to see if I went out.
  
  You have shared the stage with many of your musical heroes. What was it like opening for James Brown at House of Blues in Orlando?
  
  He died just a little after that. I remember when were leaving -- [James Brown] had an entourage all around him at all times -- he was walking around and [trombonist/co-bandleader Clay Watson] said to him how it was such an honor to open for him. James Brown put his hand up and his whole entourage stopped. He said, "You boys was fabulous!" That was really good. He wanted to take us to Europe but then he died.
  
  Legendary J.C.'s play The Back Room Blues Bar, North Dixie Highway, Boca Raton, on Friday, June 12 at 9 p.m. Cover is $10. (561) 988-8929 or thebackroombluesbar.com.
  
  -- Wade Tatangelo
  

• Band on the Run with Original Soul [+ Show ]
  

  "This balls-to-the -wall horn band showcases original soul-blues that gets its audience on their fee..."This balls-to-the -wall horn band showcases original soul-blues that gets its audience on their feet from the first song to the last. It was a standing room only crowd near the stage at Mojo's Kitchen last Saturday night as the band plowed through its massive repertoire of original music and classic Motown tribute medley.
  
  Since 2000, the band has been on the road proving that it never takes any audience for granted. These guys work hard on every gig to impress their listeners. Fortified with Mojo’s excellent barbecue, the band launched its first set with the enthusiasm of a group of musicians who love playing soul music and pass-on that joy to their listeners. The JCs ensemble came to the stage pre-warmed up with funky grooves and tasty horn voicing. Man, I love horns in this type of band, especially Clay Watson’s right-on bone-grooving vibrating lips.
  
  Lead singer Eugene Snowmen is the preacher-man of the 'Church of What’s Happening Now.' He moves to the music and plays a mean set of bongos as well. His premier vocals cut through the funkadelic mix with authority, as the rhythm section pounds out the hot grooves and that ever-present trombone kicks-in with penetrating vibrations. If this band doesn’t get you up on your feet, then you’re dead. Man, the JCs rolling thunder caught me by surprise and I was out on that dance floor taking photographs and moving the beat.
  
  The JCs original songs are modern yet they pay homage to their soul roots. ”Luella” opens with a blast of horns and rhythm and Brian’s guitar comping kicks in as Eugene leads the dance parade into the night. “New Man” opens with a gutsy guitar intro and the horns kick in as Eugene gets down with his vocals. “Let me tell you girl I’m here to change the world, and I’ll be a new man.” It’s a mojo sound of rhtythm and blues wizardry. A B3 comes in with the horns and rhythm section playing a tight modern arrangement. “Down This Road Before” opens with Brian strumming chords with the mighty B3 coming in, “Been down this road before...keep running back to another night. I’ve been down before, and running for the door... I’ve been down this road before, I can’t take it anymore.” The song has a gospel feel with a country twang. “Lifting Me” opens with Brian’s funky guitar comping and a whirling B3 sound to a funky rhythm. It’s infectious and a butt-jiggling machine. Yes, butt jiggling is a good sign the band is getting to the crowd, and these soul-men have the secret to keeping the crowd on their feet, grooving to the music."
  

• Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  “The J.C.’s are both cutting-edge and retro, never straying from the group’s influences, yet never a...“The J.C.’s are both cutting-edge and retro, never straying from the group’s influences, yet never allowing the music to bog down in redundancy. Snowden’s voice pulls you in with emphatic urgency yet soothes you once you arrive.
  
  Perhaps more impressive than the J.C.’s albums is their tiring-just-from-watching live show. Complete with high kicks, splits and flawless musicianship.”
  
  Published: March 16, 2006

• Best Bet [+ Show ]
  

  “They are a group that chooses a slow, funky simmer over bombastic refrains but is successful with b...“They are a group that chooses a slow, funky simmer over bombastic refrains but is successful with both. In other words, the J.C.’s own whatever stage they’re occupying, and they own it with equal parts originality, personality and pure soul goodness.”
  
  Published April 12-18th, 2007

• Best Bet [+ Show ]
  

  “Since we’ve been to Macon, there have been a lot of fun bands come through here. Lil Bryan and the...“Since we’ve been to Macon, there have been a lot of fun bands come through here. Lil Bryan and the Zydeco Travelers, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, etc. But I don’t know if any of them can really hold a candle to The Legendary J.C.’s. Their front man is like a cross between Little Richard and James Brown, he dances, sings, sweats, plays bongos and works the crowd until everyone, except the lamest ducks, is dancing. If you like listening to great funky music and love to shake your moneymaker, this is The One. This is THE ONE." (their formatting)
  
  Published March 16-29, 2006

• JC's to Funk Up Gainesville [+ Show ]
  

  It's appropriate that The Legendary JC's are from Orlando. Make no mistake; they're a funky band, b...It's appropriate that The Legendary JC's are from Orlando. Make no mistake; they're a funky band, but in a completely different vein from P-Funk or Sly Stone.
  
  There's no stank grit or psychedelic freakout in the JC's (formerly The Joint Chiefs) sound. Instead, they revel in the polished end of the R&B spectrum. Not neo-soul, mind you, but the classic Stax/Motown aural smoothness that wipes the sweat from its brow so as not to ruin the Sunday best.
  
  Like their hometown, The Legendary JC's are concerned with entertainment, and they succeed in about every way imaginable. Putting heavy emphasis on the gospel and blues roots of soul music, the JC's perform like they're in a Las Vegas tent revival, if there ever was such a thing. The sweat and fervor are present, but they're wrapped in a sheen of professionalism that nearly guarantees a broad appeal.
  
  Frontman Eugene Snowden is the center of attention throughout the show, working the crowd like sentient Play-doh. His soul-filled vocals recall Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding in their joyous growl, but he's more than capable of channeling the midnight butter of Barry White or the funky antics of Rufus Thomas, as well. The rest of the band - at various times draped in church organ, rock-tinged guitar, solid bass or taut drums - does a great job of alternately supporting Snowden, staying out of his way, or stepping up to the front when necessary.
  
  If you're ready to experience a show honed down to a fine point that pokes your butt into motion, then head out to the Atlantic, 15 N. Main St., on Friday.

• CD Review: Open Day And Night [+ Show ]
  

  "They are a group that chooses a slow, funky simmer over bombastic refrains but is successful with b..."They are a group that chooses a slow, funky simmer over bombastic refrains but is successful with both. In other words, the J.C.’s own whatever stage they’re occupying, and they own it with equal parts originality, personality and pure soul goodness. Thus, amplifying their long tradition of opting for live albums rather than studio joints to showcase their material, the J.C.’s latest is a double-disc document of a gig last July at the Social.
  
  Three covers (of songs by Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Etta James), two guests (Swamburger and Sunny) and one new drummer (Anthony Cole of the Sam Rivers Trio) come together on the 19-track collection and, as is to be expected, the peculiar power of the band resonates best when coming from the stage."

• CD Review: Alive and Groovy-The Legendary J.C.'s Deliver a Hot Double-live Collection [+ Show ]
  

  "Led by the enthusiastic lead vocalist Eugene Snowden and funky electric guitarist Brian Chodorcoff,..."Led by the enthusiastic lead vocalist Eugene Snowden and funky electric guitarist Brian Chodorcoff, the classy soul 'n' rock revue The Legendary J.C.'s steep their classic rock music in swing, boogie, and heavy rhythm 'n' blues to create some hot stuff. It's all been documented on a brand-new, independently-released double-disc collection.
  
  "This band is very much a live band," says Chodorcoff, speaking by phone from their home base in Orlando. "It's very much about the live show. We feed off the people and they feed off of us."
  
  2004's terrific debut, The Church Of What's Happenin' Now, grooved with a funky vibe and helped spread the "J.C.'s gospel." Making stops in Charleston during numerous regional supporting tours in 2005 and '06, the band earned a big thumbs-up from local faves who raved about the solid, energetic, inspiring performances.
  
  The album demonstrates the ease with which the group mix their styles — the choppy funk, velvety soul, and swingin' old-time rock 'n' roll.
  
  "It's the natural sound of the band," Chodorcoff. "Gene and I had a really different idea of what to do with it when we first got together. We had been playing in different local bands and we decided to put a soul band together to play some of the Motown cafés around town. Soon after, we realized it was really a rock group. We could call it whatever we wanted, but it was kind of uncontainable, in a sense. We were not going to play those Otis Redding songs like the Otis Redding records. We'd been influenced by so many things, it just happened naturally. We all listened to hundreds of different records growing up and we've all played in various bands before. Not to sound too cliché, but the J.C.'s are a bunch of old good friends who do what we love when we get together."
  

• Legendary JCs Bring the Soul Back to Boone August 13 [+ Show ]
  

  There’s a bit of an unknown feeling when the Legendary JCs hop onto a stage. That uncertainty doe...There’s a bit of an unknown feeling when the Legendary JCs hop onto a stage.
  
  That uncertainty doesn’t come from the crowd, though. As anyone who has seen the funky soul outfit out of Winter Park, Fla., can attest, the night is going to be fun.
  
  The band just doesn’t know where the music will sometimes lead them.
  
  When Eugene Snowden takes the mic, anything can happen.
  
  “He’s leading the show,” trombonist Clay Watson said of the vocalist. “That’s a big part of the show. People like the off-the-cuff, what’s-going-to-happen-next thing. We don’t even know what’s going to happen, and he doesn’t know. He’s improvising with the band as an instrument.”
  
  The eight-person band brings its soulful tunes to the High Country for a 10:00 p.m. show on Saturday, August 13, at the Boone Saloon. Tickets are $7.
  
  While Snowden leads the show, he has a solid backing sound, and this isn’t a band where one instrument takes the lead. At any point, any instrument may step forward to take a solo.
  
  “We try to work as one machine,” Watson said. “There’s not really a leader instrumental.”
  
  With a horn section (Watson and saxophonist David Skey), two rhythm guitarists (Michael Lashinsky and Roland Simmons), drummer Jeremy Katalenic and Snowden playing percussion, there is a lot of sound to enjoy.
  
  The group added a second vocalist about 18 months ago when Katie Burkess joined the group. Watson said the group hopes she can take over vocals on several songs and already has three or four in the set.
  
  “It’s great to have two people who can take over the stage at any time,” Watson said.
  
  Vocals have become a greater part of the group’s sound as they are now executing three- and four-part harmony instead of leaning on Snowden all the time. Bassist Craig Cobb, Burkess and Watson will harmonize when the songs need them.
  
  The Legendary JCs’ music is something that lovers of old-school soul and R&B must hear.
  
  “We’re a throw-back band, to the late-60s and early-70s, when people still listened to albums, you know?” Watson said.
  
  They have a high-energy show and sound that evoke memories of Wilson Pickett or Otis Redding mixed with tight horns.
  
  A few months ago, the group released a new record, Our Time Will Come, without a lot of fanfare.
  
  “It’s been so anticipated for a couple of years that [we] decided to sneak it out instead of making a big deal, because we cried wolf so many times about it coming out,” Watson said. “We decided to sneak it out to the masses and see what happens.”
  
  Airplay on independent radio stations has followed, and the music is getting good responses in concerts.
  
  Whoever comes to their show will have an enjoyable time.
  
  “All people like this music from young to old, we get them all dancing,” Watson said.
  
  For more information on the Legendary JCs, click to www.myspace.com/legendaryjcs and for more on the show, call 828-264-1811.

• The Legendary JC's [+ Show ]
  

  If you ever wondered what it was like to see James Brown perform live, back in his pompadour-wearing...If you ever wondered what it was like to see James Brown perform live, back in his pompadour-wearing, split-executing heyday, Central Florida's The Legendary JC's are about as close as you can get.
  
  "It all started with some sharkskin suits and Otis Redding tunes more than nine years ago. Since that point, the members of the The Legendary JC’s have ridden a wave of sweaty grooves and press accolades to a point where they are ready for lift-off," says the band's bio. And, while the R&B/soul group tends to share stages with the likes of Cowboy Mouth, Galactic, J.J. Grey and Mofro, Blues Traveler and Col. Bruce Hampton, they have opened for none other than Brown himself (and, while we're on the subject, B.B. King and Dr. John.)
  
  The eight-member band began, most of a decade ago, with front man Eugene Snowden and a rotating cast of players that "always delivered quality high-energy rock n’ roll performances," says the band's Facebook page. "Part of the magic of the shows [was] never knowing who [was] going to show up."
  
  But things have tightened up a bit since then, as the group is regularly requested for corporate events, keeps up a grueling tour schedule, frequents the tour circuit and donates a portion of its time and talent to charities and benefits: Concerts for Hurricane Charlie in Florida, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund and Boys and Girls Clubs in Florida are also a part of the band's normal schedule.
  
  The Legendary JC's reveal, "We are not a jam band by any means, but we improvise a lot. So a typical show is really two — the opening set we keep our songs four to five minutes long, but when we get deep into it, we can go for three or four hours.”
  
  www.thejointchiefs.com/indexnew.html

Setlist

Original Tunes:
Hold on
Our Time Will Come
Rave up
We The People
Don't Move Me
Original Sin
Luella
Memphis
Trouble
Rivers
Gospel
Dont Mean That Much
Hard Times
Liftin' Me
Swing G
Soul Of A Man
Down This Road
New Man
Sticky


Cover Tunes:
Sam Cooke - It's Alright
Sam Cooke - Bring it on Home
Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour
Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dance's
Curtis Mayfield - People Get Ready
Billy Holiday - Ain't Nobody's Business
Otis Redding - The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding - RESPECT
Otis Redding - Satisfaction
Otis Redding - I've Been loving You Too Long
Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People
Sly & The Family Stone - Simple Song
Sly & The Family Stone - Dance To The Music
Sly & The Family Stone - Stand
Sly & The Family Stone - I Want To Take You Higher
Sly & The Family Stone - You Can Make It If you Try
Otis Spann - Bad Whiskey
Buddy Guy - Further on Up the Road
Billy Preston - Will It Go Round In Circles
O.Jays - Love Train
Al Green - It's Alright
Al Green - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Earth, Wind & Fire - Straight Jacket

Basic Requirements

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