The David Jacobs-Strain Band

The David Jacobs-Strain Band blossomed from the intensely creative Ocean Or A Teardrop recording sessions. While his four prior CDs and a decade of touring brought him global recognition as solo acoustic blues guitarist, Jacobs-Strain strove for an entirely different sound on his latest CD. Calling together a variety of musicians whose paths had crossed his on the folk and blues festival circuit, Jacobs-Strain and producer Kenny Passerelli [Elton John, Joe Walsh, Otis Taylor], captured the vitality of a live jam session in the studio. Keeping rehearsals to a bare minimum and allowing the musicians to improvise their contributions to Ocean Or A Teardrop resulted in a work that reviewers have praised for its "sizzle", "passion" and "intensity". Now, the project comes to its natural fruition, bringing the "live" experience back to the stage.

"Think of it as an acoustic blues jam band," says Jacobs-Strain, "but that won't mean hours of guitar noodling. It means songs based on improvisational grooves, but our goal is to keep the music true to the song... Afro beats, a little funk, polyrhythms, a little rock, all tempered with my obsession for country blues."

The David Jacobs-Strain Band is: David Jacobs-Strain (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Kenny Passarelli (bass), Kendrick Freeman (drums) Josh Brill (electric guitar) and Peter Joseph Burtt (kora, mbira, cajon).

When available, additional special guests may include Joe Craven, Chojo Jacques, Danny Click, Joe Filisko, Anne Weiss, and Mark Clark.

"Ocean Or A Teardrop sizzles with an energy rarely present on modern blues releases. A dark, hypnotic, quality permeates everynote, every harmonic on this album. Jacobs-Strain and company draw the listener in and hold him there until their tale has been told." --Chip O'Brien, Minor 7th

"Intensely passionate subject matter and vocals to match" --Beardo, Blueswax

"Not since Steve Winwood has a young man made such a powerful impression playing and singing deep-rooted blues and blues based-rock" --Ian Zack, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Best CDs of 2004

"David Jacobs-Strain-- the young man with the age-old voice and guitar chops that make players twice his age break out in a cold sweat-- plows new ground with his latest, "Ocean Or A Teadrop". It's a band record, not a guitar album, and includes the sounds of Arabian ouds and African koras and djembes. Just don't call it world music. With producer Kenny Passarelli [Otis Taylor, Elton John] Jacobs-Strain assembes a cast of like minded musicians to honor the music's deep roots while letting it grow." --J. Poet, Paste Magazine

"True to country blues traditions while making a bold grab for rock and pop crossover appeal... The title track is a blistering antiwar rocker that sounds contemporary while back to 1970's AOR radio. "Earthquake" is propelled by funky guitar figures. Peter Joseph Burtt's lovely kora playing, and a chorus one can easily imagine blaring out of car stereos despite its subversive theme of pending social revolution. "Kokomo Blues" is a fiery reading of the old Fred McDowell number. If radio gives him a chance, Jacobs-Strain is poised to make a major impression on the music world." --Ian Zack, Acoustic Guitar Magazine

"The acclaimed blues guitarist's fifth release takes the 21-year old wunderkind into uncharted territory, combining American roots sensibilities -- his alternatingly gruff and rich voice backed by fiddle, harmonica, and washtub drum -- with world instruments such as the Turkish oud, African kora, congas, and djembe." -- Joshua Rotter, East Bay Express

"Take My Chances rocks like a careening traing towards a bridge that's out." --Benjamin C. Squires, Music Spectrum

"There's a brilliant moment on the title track here, when at the end of the testifying second chorus (it's about the endless cost of armed conflict), everything suddenly fades out to make way for a great Irish fiddle solo. And then a djembe comes in. Afro-celtic deep south blues, how about it?" --Stefan Braidwood, PopMatters

Kenny Passarelli electric bass, vocals Bassist and producer Kenny Passarelli has toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Otis Taylor.

Kendrick Freeman drums, congas Drummer Kendrick Freeman is a specialist in Latin, African, and Haitian percussion. He has toured and recorded with the Alison Brown Quartet, Joe Craven's Django Latino, and is former musical director of "Group Petit La Croix," San Francisco's premier Haitian dance troupe.

Peter Joseph Burtt kora, mbira, cajon Peter Joseph Burtt, a lifelong student of percussion, spent three years in Africa studying with master musicians and immersing himself in the interconnected oral history, poetry, and culture. Burtt's multi-instrumental repertoire includes guitar, percussion, traditional African kora and mbira (thumb piano). "Burtt's work weeps with respect for the musicians he worked with." -- Scott Hulett, Surfer s Journal

Joe Craven fiddle, mandolin, oud, percussion, vocals Multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven is a veteran member of the David Grisman Quintet. He has recorded with Jerry Garcia, Stephane Grappelli, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Persuasions, Psychograss, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes, and Ken Nordine. "Everything [Joe] touches turns to music." --David Grisman

Anne Weiss vocals Vocal powerhouse Anne Weiss has recorded with Shawn Colvin and Patty Larkin, and has appeared on stage with Richie Havens, Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco, and Cephas & Wiggins. "Her vocal flights suggest a baby raised by Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell." -- Jeff Rosenburg, Willamette Week.

Danny Click electric guitar, vocals Danny Click's sound is a refreshing return to smart, sassy blues-inflected rock and roll. Think Tom Petty crossed with John Mellencamp, spiced with the southern rock tradition of Duane Allman and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Add to that Click's searing guitar, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and David Lindley, and you've got a winning mix. Click has toured as lead guitarist with Jimmy LaFave and the Woodie Guthrie Tribute Tour

Joe Filisko harmonica Joe Filisko began creating custom harmonicas in 1990, drawing on his background as a musician, craftsman, and machinist. His list of customers was soon to include many of the worlds most highly respected professional players in blues, rock, country, old timey, world music, and jazz. In addition to becoming a master at the mechanics of the instrument itself, Filisko has also studied and learned many of the popular playing traditions and broken down the musical styles of numerous players living and deceased. This makes Filisko one of the Worlds top authorities on the diatonic harmonica, its players and legacy of recordings.

Josh Brill electric guitar Chicago guitarist Josh Brill is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music where he studied with Mick Goodrick, Bruce Bartlett, Jon Finn and Jim Kelly. Josh was the guitarist for the 2002 Missing Persons national tour with Dale Bozzio and Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme). Josh has taught at the Boston Arts Academy, Berklee College Summer Guitar Sessions, and the National Guitar Workshop.

Chojo Jacques fiddle, mandolin Wayne "Chojo" Jacques has a musical diversity to match his personal background. Originally an aspiring guitarist, he realized he was better suited to the fiddle, and like many fiddlers, eventually added mandolin. His smoky, swing/blues influenced playing works well with his interpretation of genres such as bluegrass, americana, celtic, roots rock, and others. His enjoyment of the musical unknown has led him into collaborations with countless songwriters and bands, most recently as one of the founders of the Waybacks. He has toured and played at most of the North American and Australian festivals, including Merlefest, Kerrville Folk Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, and the Kate Wolf Folk Festival

Mark Clark drums Mark Clark, drums & percussion, is a native of New Mexico. Recognized for his explosive percussion, Clark's musical career includes performances, tours or recordings with renowned musical acts including James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kip Winger, Ottmar Liebert, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Dan Fogelberg, and Warren Haynes.

Chris Cox keyboards Keyboardist Christopher Cox hails from Chicagoland and lives in a garage in the Bay Area. After a childhood of classical and jazz training and 4 years of taiko drumming, Chris now plays with experimental funk, blues, and jazz groups based around Stanford, where he's currently a student of free culture.

Kenny Passarelli	electric bass, vocals	Bassist and producer Kenny Passarelli has toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Otis Taylor.
Kendrick Freeman	drums, congas	Drummer Kendrick Freeman is a specialist in Latin, African, and Haitian percussion. He has toured and recorded with the Alison Brown Quartet, Joe Craven's Django Latino, and is former musical director of "Group Petit La Croix," San Francisco's premier Haitian dance troupe.
Peter Joseph Burtt	kora, mbira, cajon	Peter Joseph Burtt, a lifelong student of percussion, spent three years in Africa studying with master musicians and immersing himself in the interconnected oral history, poetry, and culture. Burtt's multi-instrumental repertoire includes guitar, percussion, traditional African kora and mbira (thumb piano). "Burtt's work weeps with respect for the musicians he worked with." -- Scott Hulett, Surfer s Journal
Joe Craven	fiddle, mandolin, oud, percussion, vocals	Multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven is a veteran member of the David Grisman Quintet. He has recorded with Jerry Garcia, Stephane Grappelli, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Persuasions, Psychograss, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes, and Ken Nordine. "Everything [Joe] touches turns to music." --David Grisman
Anne Weiss	vocals	Vocal powerhouse Anne Weiss has recorded with Shawn Colvin and Patty Larkin, and has appeared on stage with Richie Havens, Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco, and Cephas & Wiggins. "Her vocal flights suggest a baby raised by Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell." -- Jeff Rosenburg, Willamette Week.
Danny Click	electric guitar, vocals	Danny Click's sound is a refreshing return to smart, sassy blues-inflected rock and roll. Think Tom Petty crossed with John Mellencamp, spiced with the southern rock tradition of Duane Allman and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Add to that Click's searing guitar, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and David Lindley, and you've got a winning mix. Click has toured as lead guitarist with Jimmy LaFave and the Woodie Guthrie Tribute Tour
Joe Filisko	harmonica	Joe Filisko began creating custom harmonicas in 1990, drawing on his background as a musician, craftsman, and machinist. His list of customers was soon to include many of the worlds most highly respected professional players in blues, rock, country, old timey, world music, and jazz. In addition to becoming a master at the mechanics of the instrument itself, Filisko has also studied and learned many of the popular playing traditions and broken down the musical styles of numerous players living and deceased. This makes Filisko one of the Worlds top authorities on the diatonic harmonica, its players and legacy of recordings.
Josh Brill	electric guitar	Chicago guitarist Josh Brill is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music where he studied with Mick Goodrick, Bruce Bartlett, Jon Finn and Jim Kelly. Josh was the guitarist for the 2002 Missing Persons national tour with Dale Bozzio and Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme). Josh has taught at the Boston Arts Academy, Berklee College Summer Guitar Sessions, and the National Guitar Workshop.
Chojo Jacques	fiddle, mandolin	Wayne "Chojo" Jacques has a musical diversity to match his personal background. Originally an aspiring guitarist, he realized he was better suited to the fiddle, and like many fiddlers, eventually added mandolin. His smoky, swing/blues influenced playing works well with his interpretation of genres such as bluegrass, americana, celtic, roots rock, and others. His enjoyment of the musical unknown has led him into collaborations with countless songwriters and bands, most recently as one of the founders of the Waybacks. He has toured and played at most of the North American and Australian festivals, including Merlefest, Kerrville Folk Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, and the Kate Wolf Folk Festival
Mark Clark	drums	Mark Clark, drums & percussion, is a native of New Mexico. Recognized for his explosive percussion, Clark's musical career includes performances, tours or recordings with renowned musical acts including James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kip Winger, Ottmar Liebert, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Dan Fogelberg, and Warren Haynes.
Chris Cox	keyboards	Keyboardist Christopher Cox hails from Chicagoland and lives in a garage in the Bay Area. After a childhood of classical and jazz training and 4 years of taiko drumming, Chris now plays with experimental funk, blues, and jazz groups based around Stanford, where he's currently a student of free culture.