Jo-Ann Freda’s
booking career began by working with The Little Memphis
Blues Orchestra (formerly known as The Taylor Hicks
Band), and she was successful in having such stars as
Taylor Hicks, Chris Daughtry, and Ace Young perform at
her events. It was out of this that her love for music
took hold and gave her new direction for her life.
Prior to starting the
Agency, Ms. Freda spent over 20 years in corporate sales
including event planning and promotion. Jo-Ann has
promoted several important events, including a
international conference involving members of the White
House staff, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland
Security at Foxwoods Resorts and Casino. She was
responsible for generating major sponsorships,
attendance, and vendors.
Jo-Ann is also a proud member of the BLUES FOUNDATION
and is the Public Relations Director of WHOMPIN PAWZ
PRODUCTIONS, LLC and PAWZ FOR MUSIC.
Latest News!
AYNSLEY
LISTER "EQUILIBRIUM" NEW ALBUM DEBUT IN USA -
SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
EQUILIBRIUM
justifies Aynsley Lister’s position
as a leading light in the rock/blues arena. Aynsley
is one of very few artists playing rocking blues
with a modern edge - tangible, heartfelt, soul
searching and full of fine songwriting; played with
passion, vitality and simply stunning guitar
work-reminiscent of a young Clapton.
Aynsley's skill as a songer/songwriter
is equally impressive. On EQUILIBRIUM
he penned 11 of the 12 songs. And as
EQUILIBRIUM is Aynsley's 9th album,
his song writing talent is now that of a
seasoned veteran. So while his style varies from
blues to rock and bck again, his writing is always
honest and impressionable.
EQUILIBRIUM was
produced by Steve Darrel Smith and
features appearances by
Robbie McIntosh
(John Mayer band) and also heralds a new direction
for Aynsley.
BLUESMAN
JOE MOSS
SET TO RELEASE NEW CD,
MARICELA’S SMILE,MARCH 18
ON 212 RECORDS
CHICAGO, IL –
212 Records announces a March 18 date for
Maricela’s Smile, the new CD from Chicago-based
blues guitarist/singer Joe Moss and his stellar band,
with national distributionthrough Burnside
Distribution.
Maricela’s
Smile
features Joe Moss’ most-ambitious set of blues yet, with
journeys into not only the west and south sides of
Chicago blues, but also includes healthy doses of R&B,
funk, soul and jazz to the mix, a testament to not only
his musical influences growing up, but also the breadth
of his experience as a veteran musician.
The CDs dozen tracks
include 10 originals, plus Joe’s take on the blues/rock
of Free’s “Fire and Water,” as well as a soulful version
of “Big Leg Woman,” previously recorded by such legends
as Freddie King.
Maricela’s Smile
closes
with the live track, “Ain’t Got No Money,” which gives
the band members ample room to stretch out into
improvisation, touching on jazz and even the
jam/roots/rock sound of The Allman Brothers Band.
A guitarist since he
was 15 years old, Joe Moss also turned his younger
brother, Nick, on to the blues, who has gone on to
develop a strong following in his own right. Joe’s entry
into the world of blues came from noted guitarist Buddy
Scott, who spotted Moss during a jam session at the
celebrated Chicago west side club Rosa’s Blues Lounge
and promptly put him to work as a member of his Rib Tip
band. In 1992, Joe toured Spain with Buddy and also
recorded with him on Scott’s
Bad Ave.
CD, as
well. Moss very quickly became an in-demand sideman with
many of Chicago’s hardest working bands, playing guitar
on the bandstand for Zora Young, Li’l Smokey Smothers,
Syl Johnson, Lefty Dizz, Magic Slim, A.C. Reed, Billy
Branch and Little Mack Simmons, among many others. Tours
with these artists brought Joe exposure outside of the
U.S. in Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium,
France and Germany.
In 1997, he released
The Joe Moss Band’s debut self-titled CD, following that
with his second album,
Monster Love,
in 2003. “Monster
Love
is the work of a skilled craftsman,” said Jeff Johnson
in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times.
During the ensuing years, Joe Moss has also become a
regular not only in Chicago clubs like Buddy Guy’s
Legends and The House of Blues, but at venues and
festivals around the country and in Europe as well.
Buddy Guy, who knows a few things about playing guitar
and entertaining, called Joe “energetic, a strong
guitarist and always a crowd pleaser” after catching
many of Moss’ frequent gigs at his club.
The Joe Moss
Band will tour extensively in support of
Maricela’s Smile
release and the act
is booked by The Jo-Ann Freda Agency .
