Music
Press
After a couple years playing various blues festivals around the midwest, Chicago trio Forte finally released their debut disc, Soul Farmer. Their forte certainly is guitar-playing, as they gallivant through various riffs and bass lines that fuel the funk behind each song. The average vocals are significantly enhanced when the band lets their two female guests provide the sweet background harmonies, as heard on highlight “The Tomahawk.” Given the obvious talent of all three members at their instruments and the promise shown in the song writing, Forte could forge quite a path.
--Carter Moss - Illinois Entertainer
Forte is a multidimensional, multicultural rock band. Spearheaded by guitarist, vocalist, composer Chris Forte and accompanied by Rob Davis on drums and Roberto Agosto on bass, this group features the most diverse lineup possible for a trio. That is way cool. These guys converse well. The group is based in Chicago. Chris and Rob played with Sam Cockrell for years touring blues festivals, playing the House of Blues and supporting acts like Duke Robillard and Roomful of Blues. Chris won the Albert King Award in 2000 for his guitar virtuosity. Roberto toured all over the world with Anthony Gomes for the last decade. They played the same bills as B.B. King, Buddy Guy and many more. So the musicians in Forte have “Blues credibility” but this new band is something else. Of course there’s the solid blues foundation but Forte has forged their own new hybrid sound that incorporates rock and funk, probably best shown in their song The Tomahawk. This is a hot live act familiar with touring and playing well-known venues. Check ‘em out when they come your way.
--Jess Marich - Shake Magazine, Nashville, TN
“Simply outstanding guitar playing of young Forte...a real talent.”
--Peter North, Live Music Reviews, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, AB, Canada
“Blazing guitar player”
--Linda Seubold, Blues Scribe, Blues Foundation, Memphis, TN
“Scorching lead guitar...best new blues guitarist”
--Gerst, Ingram & Andries, contributing writers, Pioneer Press, North Shore, IL
“Fiery guitar licks...full throttle performance”
--Eric Schelkopf, Live Music Reviews, Kane County Chronicle, Kane County, IL
“Forte plays with an easy-going grace that makes his high-wired leads and piercing runs look effortless...more impressive is the way this guitarist easily changes musical gears.”
--Dave Witter, Music Reviews, Buddy Guy’s Bluesletter, Chicago, IL - As listed
Discography
Soul Farmer, Forte's debut CD, features the song The Tomahawk
Photos
Bio
Blues, rock and funk collide to create the unique sound of Chicago based quartet Forte. High energy rhythms, boundless guitar experimentation and charismatic stage presence define this powerful genre-busting band.
Forte’s tight grooves feature Chris Forte on guitar and vocals, Nate Bellon on bass and vocals, Rob Davis on drums and vocals and Michael Whalen on percussion and vocals. The close relationship between these players is noticeable from the start of any show and seems to be at the heart of their ability to deliver creative material that captures the audiences’ attention. The original material is supported by renditions of classic material from musicians who have influenced Forte, including; Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder and many more.
Though Forte has been performing for more than 3 years, the collective experience of this group runs much deeper. As longtime members of Sam Cockrell and The Groove, Chris and Rob toured the U.S. playing high profile gigs at the Chicago Blues Fest, Taste of Blue Ridge Festival, W.C. Handy Awards, Indiana State Fair, House of Blues and WGN TV and opening for wide-ranging acts like Digital Underground, Lonnie Brooks, Duke Robillard, Roomful of Blues and Trippin Billies. During his stint with the band, Chris even won the coveted Albert King Award in 2000 for his virtuoso guitar moves, prompting Alligator recording artist L’il Ed to proclaim him a “guitar-playing mother...!” Nate has done extensive studio and live work for artists such as Josh Solomon and The Empty Pockets, Deuce, The Manhattan Project and The Tara Singer Jazz Quartet and is currently involved with the Chicago production of “The Buddy Holly Story”. Michael performed as drummer for several years with ex-Ziggy Marley member Melaku Retta in his African-fused reggae group Melaku and The African Elements. He has also provided his percussive stylings to Chicago acts such as Telstar, Salamander Red, Entrinzic, The Cook County Jazz Commission and The Accord.
Fans rave about Forte’s cool mix of high octane bluesy funk, eclectic original tunes and wild, ripping guitar riffs. Following a successful release of their debut CD, Soul Farmer, at The Cubby Bear and a string of rocking shows; including openers for Frank Black at The Double Door and The Radiators at the Black Orchid and Nevins, Forte is geared up to deliver their infectious new sound to audiences everywhere.
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