|
Download the band biography in PDF format.
Down To The Bone is Stuart Wade as producer, writer and mastermind behind the whole groove project, working with other talented musicians and co-writers to bring together a project of good grooves.
Set up at the tail end of 1995 when Wade decided to take a track from the soul band he was in at the time, Think Twice, and remix it to give it a rawer and stripped down feel. The result was the Down To The Bone remix of the track ‘Joy Is Free’ which had great success.
Following on from the success of his remix he teamed up with Think Twice keyboard player, Simon Greenaway, to put together a string of songs. This resulted in the first release on a 12” single of “Staten Island Groove”. Released on Internal Bass Records, a label Wade set up with another member of Think Twice. This resulted in rave reviews for the single and club and radio play in the U.K.
It was at this time that Stuart decided to try to complete an album. Wade had to look for future musicians to work with, whilst still working with Internal Bass Records. This resulted in the introduction of musicians like Richard Sadler, Richard Wargent, Neil Cowley, Tim Best in order to complete the first album.
After the completion of “From Manhattan To Staten”, a title Wade came up with to show his influences from across the pond, it was decided to try to take the whole sound over to America to see what would happen .Not expecting anything, Wade was astounded by the huge response after two important guys at U.S. Jazz radio, Blake Lawrence and Steve Williamson decided to take it upon themselves to play DTTB on their stations. With support from people like DJ Chillfreeze, Marc E Copeland, Rick Laboy, Cozmic Cat and Andrea DJ Sun and some Urban radio interest, DTTB was introduced to a US audience.
As popularity for the sound grew so did the demand to see the band live so it was decided to take the project from the studio to a live setup and after various line-ups Wade is very honored to be represented by two fantastic live bands.
The US live band led by Dan Boissy (sax/MD) and Katisse Buckingham (sax/flute/MC) and also comprising of top US musicians such as Louie Palmer on drums, Cooper Appelt on bass and on rotation Carey Frank and Quinn Johnson on keys.
The UK live band led by Tim Smart on trombone, Ryan Jacob on trumpet, James Arben or Piers Green on sax, Jo Phillpotts on bass, Johnny Tomlinson on keys, Gianni Chiarello on guitar, Joe "Bongo" Becket on percussion and Davide Giovannini on drums.
It was clear DTTB happened to be in the right place at the right time. The momentum grew and “From Manhattan To Staten” reached No.2 in the National US Billboard Jazz Chart, No.3 in the Gavin Jazz chart and No 4 in the Radio and Records Jazz Chart. DTTB was also the No.1 top selling independent Jazz artist of 1999, No 5 top selling Jazz artist and album of 1998 and No 5 top selling Jazz artist and album in 1999 and with a string of radio hits in the U.S it shows how DTTB have been able to accumulate well over half a million sales worldwide.
Wade later signed to Verve Records to enable him to record his fourth album “Crazy Vibes and Things” in 2002 after releasing three on Internal Bass Records after splitting from the label he co-ran. With more and more demands for live appearances DTTB was becoming a well established act, especially in the U.S. So much so that Wade had to concentrate on the U.S for the live side of things, much to his frustration at not being able to gig so much in his home country of the U.K .Something he hopes to change with his new signing to Dome Records in the UK.
After a short spell on Verve Wade decided to move on and sign with Narada/Blue Note where he recorded three albums “Cellar Funk”, “Spread Love Like Wildfire” and “Supercharged” and then “Future Boogie” on Shanachie in the US, Freestyle Records in the UK and Swanky in Japan.
It has always been Wade’s aim to pay respect to his mentors and he is thrilled to actually be working with some of them as guests on his albums. Such greats as, Rueben Wilson, Brian Auger, Jeremy Steig, and Roy Ayers and multi talented vocalists like N’Dambi, Flora Purim, Corrina Greyson, Hil St Soul and Guida de Palma, Imaani, Katie Leone and now Natasha Watts.
Now after a long break DTTB returns with the 11th album of original grooves. Once again consisting of DTTB's trademark grooves of mixing up Wade's love of soul, funk, jazz, Brazilian and good groove to culminate into a melting pot to bring the finished, new album titled "This Way Forward". Which will be released, worldwide, on 5th June 2026.
Released on Trippin 'n' Rhythm Records for Canada and the US and on Dome/Cherry Red Records for the rest of the world.
"This Way Forward" features the vocal talents of Hil St Soul on "Get Up And Dance", Natasha Watts on "Sending You Love", "Feel So Good", "Shining" and "Ella's Groove" and Guida de Palma on the Brazilian tinged "Bird Of Paradise" and "You See Me".
Other talents on the new album are Tim Smart on trombone, Ryan Jacob on trumpet, James Arben and Piers Green on sax, Jo Phillpotts and Julian Crampton on bass, Neil Angilley and Anders Olinder on keys, Gianni Chiarello, Tony Remy and Mark Jaimes on guitar, Joe "Bongo" Becket on percussion and Davide Giovannini on drums as well as James Arben also on flute. All have worked hard under the direction of Stuart Wade to bring together a collection of ten trademark grooves on this, 11th, album "This Way Forward".
Live, US, lineup consists of:
Dan Boissy - Sax/MD
Katisse Buckingham - Sax/Flute/MC
Louie Palmer - Drums
Cooper Appelt - Bass
Carey Frank/Quinn Johnson - Keys
Live, UK, lineup consists of:
Tim Smart/MD - Trombone
James Arben/Piers Green - Sax
Ryan Jacob - Trumpet
Jo Phillpotts - Bass
Gianni Chiarello - Guitars
Davide Giovannini - Drums
Joe "Bongo" Becket - Percussion
Johnny Tomlinson - Keys
|
