Vinyl Hampdin - Red (2017)

Here is the greatly anticipated debut album from the world's most exciting modern horn band. Made up of five original compositions and six stellar covers by trombonist Steve Wiest, RED sizzles from beginning to end. Featured vocalist and multiple CCMA award winner Lisa Dodd is a real treasure with a voice that covers an incredible spectrum of textures and styles reminiscent of everyone from Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt to Robert Plant–with the end result being a true original. Lisa’s talent is profound and really comes to life as the front-and-center lightning bolt leading Vinyl Hampdin’s unique sound.

And the horn section! This squad of virtuosos can go from mellow to hurricane in less than three beats! Frank David Greene is one of the most in-demand lead trumpet players in the world today. With a resume that includes lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars and many others, Frank was also the trumpet soloist with Paul Shafer’s CBS Orchestra on Late Night with David Letterman. The wonderful Ray Herrmann on tenor and flute is currently on the road as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame super group Chicago. Art Bouton (top call Broadway show woodwind artist in Denver) on baritone sax is the perfect foundation for the section while his fellow Denverite, Steve Wiest plays the electrifying trombone chair. Steve’s CV includes soloist and composer-arranger with Maynard Ferguson and Doc Severinson among many other accolades. With Vinyl Hampdin, Steve also pens all of the arrangements and compositions.

Every great band needs a KILLER rhythm section and Vinyl Hampdin is equipped with one of the best in the business. The heart and soul of the deep pocket groove is drummer Stockton Helbing. Stockton was Maynard Ferguson’s final musical director and continues to pursue a stellar career as top-call drummer (all styles) composer, and producer (Stockton is also the founder and CEO of Armored Records where VH has signed RED) Ryan Davidson on guitar (referred to by Steve Wiest as “Commander Texture” for his ability to create striking sounds via his “Very Large Array” pedal board) is a multiple CCMA award winning guitarist who sounds right a home with everything from Rock and Country to Jazz. Keyboard specialist Eric Gunnison has an incredible resume that includes pianist for Carmen McRae, soloist with The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars and leader of his own fusion group “Convergence.” The bedrock of the rhythm section is headed up by the legendary “Master of The Boiler-Room” Gerald Stockton on bass. Hailing from South Africa, Gerald is perfectly adept at multiple styles having worked with everyone from Michael Brecker to Andy Williams.

When you add a stunning virtuoso vocalist to a deep pocket state-of-the-art rhythm section and then top the whole thing off with one of the world’s greatest collection of horns… you get, well… you get Rocked Out Seriously Funky Jaw Dropping Ear Candy!