About

Java Monkey band

BIO

Steve McRay.....Vocals, Keyboards and keyboard bass - His soulful voice and R&B style comes from the heart & his keyboard playing will make you take notice. BACKGROUND: Recorded with Mose Jones, .38 Special, Ted Nugent, Meatloaf, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joan Baez, Ben E. King, Jackson Brown, Francine Reed, Johnny Van Zant. Co-wrote song "Alien" for ARS. Tours in U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan with .38 Special, Joan Baez, Francine Reed, and Ichiban Blues Artists. Songwriter & Composer. Owner of Big Coffee Records, an Atlanta indie record label.

Michael Bastedo.....Vocals, Saxophones, and Zendrum - A vocal and sax style that’s fun to listen to and exciting to watch. Definitely a soulful player with ferocious energy and great chops...a driving force. BACKGROUND: Berklee College of Music. Studio session work in Atlanta and Seattle. Tours in U.S., Canada, and Europe with Dr. Hook, Bertie Higgins, Francine Reed, Trudy Lynn, Derrick Trucks. Composer and Graphic Artist.

John Holder.....Drums & Vocals - With a style that is funky and “in the pocket”, John provides a launching pad of explosive rhythm to lock in the band and a perfect beat for dancing. BACKGROUND: Graduate of Berklee College of Music. Recording and touring with country band Atlanta, including hit single “Sweet Country Music.” Studio session work in Atlanta and Nashville. Owner of recording studio, engineer and producer of wide range of music from alternative rock to children’s albums. Tours in U.S., Europe, and Australia with Francine Reed.

Jody Worrell....Guitars and Vocals - One of Atlanta's most prestigious guitarist - a guitar player's "guitar player", comfortable playing expertly in all genres. BACKGROUND: Jody's playing career has spanned five decades, appearing and recording with such diverse artists as Lyle Lovett, William Bell, The Drifters, The Coasters, and Mitch Ryder. Author of 15 instructional titles, and plays each Sunday at two different Atlanta area churches. Toured the world fairly extensively, and even played the prestigious Montreux Jazz Fest in 1995!

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Marvin Taylor.....A guitar style that’s been perfected with quality and passion. Marvin exudes taste, and plays with a polished sound that’s filled with emotion. BACKGROUND: Member of Mose Jones. Studio session player in Muscle Shoals, Memphis, Nashville, and Atlanta. U.S. and European tours with Francine Reed, and other Ichiban Records artists. Songwriter & Composer. W.C. Handy nominee for song "Been there, Done that", recorded by Francine Reed.

This is "Java Monkey 2.0"

This band keeps the audience moving to the infectious beat and listening to a combination of great songs.... a few originals mixed with old school classic R&B, Funk, funky instrumentals, Blues, Rock, Jazz-flavors, and Soul music - their own trademark style of well-known classic songs that everyone likes!

The name Java Monkey refers to a fixation; some may say an addiction to caffeine - and the one vice the band choose to not give up. That urge to want more...yeah sure, maybe another cup -  just one more cup, please!

Just like the band Java Monkey itself, and the ever present impulse to get you hooked - You’ll be wanting more, more, and even a little more......just keep it hot and keep it coming!!

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