Biography
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Born
27 December 1917
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Died
8 August 1997 (aged 79)
#1 Dardanelle (Marcia Marie Mullen, December 27, 1917, Avalon, Massachusetts - August 8, 1997, Memphis, Tennessee) was an American blues and jazz singer, pianist and vibraphonist.
Dardanelle's credits dated back to the '40s. She could play hot, funky blues and surging originals, or do a menu of novelty tunes and old standards. Dardanelle's combo recordings range from intense trio sessions with Tal Farlow to relatively easy listening fare with Bucky Pizzarelli. She was an active performer for a half century, with her final performance in Greenwood, MS, during May 1997.
#2 The genre blurring rock band DARDANELLE knows this better than most. Having constructed themselves from the ashes of once established Northern California musical acts Fate 45 and Poverty Hill, the members of DARDANELLE are not strangers to the highs and lows experienced in band life, nor the thin line that separates the two. The band, whose genesis began during a dark snowfall in the winter of 2008, consists of musicians who share the closest of bonds. The band brothers, Kenny and Travis, enlisted the help of longtime friend and associate Jon Newsom and began to discuss a new musical endeavor, one founded with hope and promise, and executed with respect and loyalty. And thus, the idea of DARDANELLE was born. To cement the lineup and convert the idea into a tangible force, the guys turned to veteran drummer Michael Parker, whose reputation as a drummer and musician preceded him. The bands first full practice was an instant jell and Michael joined DARDANELLE on the spot.
With their lineup intact the guys focused their attention on the production of their debut E.P. Taking the helm for the albums production was Jon. The band spent one week in March 2008 recording at Jon’s studio Dream Audio, finishing six tracks in the process. The resulting self titled product, which was released on April 20th, 2008, is as brutal as it is melodic. Having maintained relationships with anxious promoters during their musical hiatus, DARDANELLE now stand poised to tour extensively throughout the greater California area this summer. With the past behind them, the members of DARDANELLE have now set their sights on the horizon.
Playing songs that yearn for a former purity, this band has something different to offer a music scene that seems to have succumbed to despair. Perseverance and the strength to break the barriers within one’s self are the core components of DARDANELLE and the message the group stands behind. Redemption, that elusive reckoning within one’s self, is about taking a second chance in life and in music. DARDANELLE is taking that chance.
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