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Michael Morrow and the 21st Centurians are the Relix Magazine Jamoff winners for August/September 2009... Huge accolades go tot Michael and the boys for their hard work and dedication that has paid dearly!! - Relix Magazine
...a solid band with a long performance history. Michael will do nine shows in ten days..."
- Phil Simon, Simon Says Booking
"The vocals were dead on...the crowd loved it."
- Julianne Triglia, Merge Digital
"The best singer we heard...I was blown away."
- Norman Gopin, Dark Star Orchestra
"One of the hottest guitarists that ever came out of Phila...the master of the funky jam."
- Peacebridge Entertainment CEO Steve Goldstein
"...Sticky, greasy funk. I am down with Michael...aaaiiighht!!"
- -Jay Davidson sax player, Steve Winwood, Dionne Warwick, Buddadada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Peace Bridge Entertainment
Steven Goldstein
peacebridgeentertainment@gmail.com
(716) 862-2685
Kingpin of Philadelphia Local Music Scene Re-emerges After13 Years With The Original Philly Funk and a Brand New Band
Michael Morrow, guitarist and vocalist for 90's Phillyfunk jam giants SLIDE (Ikon Records), is back and funkier than ever. After nearly a decade of gigging as a guitarist with touring acts like Mystic Rebel, Living Earth, and Brother Thump, all the while teaching and producing emerging artists, Michael returns to the area with a new band and a renewed connection to his Phunky public. Besides being a top local draw, Michael and Slide were a driving force behind the Philadelphia local music scene throughout the 90’s, greatly contributing to Manayunk’s rise to the hip, culturally diverse, and artistic destination it is today. The National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences agreed in 1994, awarding Michael the NARAS Tri-State Music "Best Funk" distinction for the album "Focus" produced by Grammy winner David Ivory (Roots/Erika Badu). Michael was also twice featured performer for the Prism cable series "Live at the Middle East" and has appeared live on MTV for the 1993 National Snowboarding Championships from Stratton, VT.
On the verge of releasing his first album in over 10 years, Get the Keys (River-West), Michael will debut his new group Twenty-first Centurians, on Thurs May 21 at Alexander’s 2080 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, with a night of the funkiest imaginable grooves, great songs, and monstrous jams. The group features ex-Slide drummer Tim Everly (T.Conwell/Idlewilds) and Hammond whiz Ryan Hickey (Mystic Rebel) both of whom have worked with Michael extensively during different periods. The tightness and comfort level that comes through in the music was immediately evident. As a special treat, another Philly Icon, Jay Davidson will lend his furious chops for the evening, tearing it up on horns and keys. Davidson is an amazing musician and horn arranger who has worked with the likes of; Funk Brothers, Steve Winwood, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick and many others. The evening at Alexander’s will also feature special guests Irie chatter, Jah D, and late night jazz by P.Stone Septet, a group that features guitarist Greg Seraphin, a student of MM.
Michael recently inked a partnership deal with Peace Bridge Entertainment in late 2008. The Western NY management firm headed up by friend and former Slide manager Steven B. Goldstein is pushing MM to the limit, putting the group back on the road in '09 and promoting the new CD. In addition to contributing songs to the Sundance film "No Boundaries", MM also began filming his own music show for WPHA-TV in Philadelphia called "Music To
Morrow”, which will be featuring live performances, interviews and remote event coverage with regional artists.
- Steven Goldstein
Discography
2009 No Boundaries Soundtrack (Eyelight Pictures)
2008 Michael Morrow "Funky MM" (Riverwest)
2007 Ihi Yahn Ihi Arkestra "Love Mission" (Inity)
2007 Mystic Rebel "Vibrasta" (Riverwest)
2007 Mystic Rebel "Live at Outer Banks" (Riverwest)
2006 Michael Morrow "Hollow" (Riverwest)
2005 Jacob Currie "Behind These Eyes" (Riverwest)
2003 Jeff Delaney "Shooting Star"
1996 Brother Thump (Ikon)
1995 Slide "Focus" (Ikon)
1988 Mustangs "Bare Hands Six Strings" EP
Photos
Bio
Twentyfirst Centurians are a powerfunk jamband from Philadelphia with a unique, yet familiar sound that captivates, moves and engages the most discerning fans. Led by storied guitarist Michael Morrow and featuring monster sax player Jay Davidson, the group affectionately known as "21 Cents" rests on the bomb-ass pocket of drummer Gerald Williams and the amazing Ryan Hickey on bass keys/organ. Described by a fan as "...like Soulive with Garcia sitting in at Maceo's birthday party..." MM and 21 Cents are one of the most talked about and upcoming jam acts on the East Coast. Last Spring they were voted winners of Relix Jam-Off Contest 2009, and was also featured on the RELIX compilation disc and in the September edition. A Rochester NY promoter told the crowd at his recent festival "...see this band now, right before they make it..."
Main man Michael Morrow has remained a sought after touring guitarist and vocalist, performing across the US for over a decade, working with touring acts like Living Earth (Relix), Mystic Rebel, Ihi Yahn Ihi Arkestra (Inity) and Slide (Ikon). Michael also recently produced music for developing artists like Funk Church, Shan Egan, TV music for Phila based firm St. Lewes Productions, voice-over sessions and also placed songs in the award winning film "No Boundaries" Brookyn drummer Gerald Williams spent years with Mark Furman Band and provides the most killer grooves imaginable. The amazing Jay Davidson has played with legends like Billy Preston, Funk Brothers, Steve Winwood, was a member of the 76ers houseband and was also featured in the 2006 film "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" But even with those three big hitters, the notable member is brilliant keyboardist Ryan Hickey, who does a magical job of whipping up sticky funky bass lines with his left hand and soulful organ with his right. The band has been recieving rave reviews for it's unique and power packed jam funk approach and catchy, street wise songs.
With a funky new CD release "Get The Keys" and a busy schedule, the Centurians hit the road bringing the sticky, Phila style funk and a spiraling, improvisational style that stay true to their Jam roots. Imagine Garcia sitting in with Soulive at Maceo's b-day party. Michael and 21 Cents take the party to another level with dirty powerfunk, superb singing, great songs, and inspired jams till dawn. Spending the past two months in the top ten of the Jambands.com Jam 250, the band took it's groove on the road this Summer, performing July 4-5 Gratefulfest at Nelson Ledges OH, then Musefest Ithaca NY in Aug and Sept 18-19 at Wormtown Festival in Mass. Incredibly, in October they will perform at the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock concert in San Fransisco at Golden Gate Park, a huge free event produced by original 1969 promoter Artie Kornfeld in front of a crowd of many thousands. After performing together for less than a year, the group is already touring the West Coast, releasing a follow up CD in Sept 2010 and will perform with U-Melt, Rubblebucket Orchestra, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Jsan and the Analogue Sons, Ray Manzarek Band, Al Ameda All Stars, Country Joe, Barry Melton, Leslie West, Chambers Brothers, Denny Lane, Mutron Warriors, Nautilus, Free Booty Institute, and Jimkata.
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