Joe Krown Organ Combo

    Organist Joe Krown formed the Joe Krown Organ Combo in the fall of 2000. The band is an instrumental New Orleans styled funk and groove band that features the big sound of the Hammond B-3 organ. The Joe Krown Organ Combo is Krown on Hammond organ, Brint Anderson on guitar, Brent Rose on saxophone, Mike Barras, on drums, and Cassandra Faulconer on bass. The musical camaraderie with the band is evident on their 2005 Joe Krown Organ Combo recording, Livin' Large (2005) and their 2002 release Funk Yard (2002-STR). Their newest release Livin' Large, is Krown's first solo attempt at producing and features 10 original tunes and a seven piece band. Funk Yard is Krown's third recording featuring the Combo. It follows Buckle Up (2000-STR) and Down & Dirty (1999-STR).
    The Combo makes regular appearances in New Orleans at such noted clubs as the Maple Leaf, House of Blues, Tipitina's, Le Bon Temps Roule, Funky Butt at Congo Square (closed since Hurricane Katrina), and dba.
      The Joe Krown Organ Combo made their television debut on Louisiana Jukebox in February 2000, and agian in May 2004, which is broadcast in metro New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Opelousas, LA; Memphis, TN; Cleveland, OH; and Austin, TX. The band made their European debut in November 2001 at the Ingolstadter JazzTage in Ingolstadt, Germany and makes regular appearances at the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. They've also played at the Ottawa Blues Fest in Ottawa ONT Canada, Tobacco Road in NYC, the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco, CA and several other festivals and clubs outside New Orleans.The Joe Krown Organ Combo has opened concerts for such notable artists as the Neville Brothers, Gatemouth Brown, Dr. John, Andy Summers (from the Police),Brian Auger, Buddy Guy and the Iguana's. The Organ Combo has also backed up artists like Gatemouth Brown, Irma Thomas, Frankie Ford, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson and more.

Joe Krown
  Joe Krown moved to New Orleans in 1992 after honing his keyboard skills in the Northeast. Since that time, he has built a strong reputation as first-call organist and pianist in the Crescent City. He won the 2001 Big Easy Award in the Blues category. He is an endorsee for Hammond Suzuki Keyboards. Krown was highlighted in a feature article in the September 2000 issue of OffBEAT Magazine. Krown was also named "Best Keyboardist, Editor's Choice", by NewOrleans.CitySearch.com. Krown's newest recording, Livin' Large, features his organ combo and will celebrate its release on Feb. 26, 2005 in New Orleans.
   Joe held the keyboard chair with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown & Gate’s Express from 1992 until Gatemouth's passing in the fall of 2005. Joe is featured on the chart topping albums The Man, Gate Swings, American Music, Texas Style and most recently Back to Bogalusa albums. In 1995, Gatemouth and the Gate's Express including Joe on keyboards, did a 62 date world tour as the opening act for Eric Clapton. The band, Gate’s Express won an Offbeat 2004 Best Band in the Blues Category.
   From September 1996 until June 2001, he held the Traditional Piano Night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, which was once occupied by Professor Longhair and James Booker. Krown followed that strong tradition with his debut solo release on STR Digital Records Just the Piano...Just the Blues (STR-1998). This recording captured one aspect of Joe's musical persona-solo piano in the boogie/blues style. Beginning in September 2001, Krown established a new Traditional Piano Night at Le Bon Temps Roule in New Orleans. Krown followed Just the Piano...Just the Blues with his 5th STR release New Orleans Piano Rolls (STR-2003). Much like Just the Piano...Just the Blues, New Orleans Piano Rolls features Krown performing solo piano. Krown explores the many piano styles of New Orleans R & B piano, boogie woogie, stride and ragtime.
   Krown's second STR release, Down & Dirty (STR-1999), explores classic organ combo material reminiscent of Booker T., Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and others. Among the guest artists are Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Jumpin' Johnny Sansone. Krown's 3rd STR Digital records release Buckle Up (STR-2000), follows his Down & Dirty release as another outing featuring his mighty Hammond B-3 organ. Original Meters bassist George Porter, Jr. and Dr. John members drummer Herman Ernest and guitarist John Fohl, form a solid and funky rhythm section. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown makes a special appearance on 4 songs. In 2000 Krown formed his band the Joe Krown Organ Combo and the band became a regular figure at many New Orleans clubs and festivals. In 2002 the Joe Krown Organ Combo released Funkyard (STR-2002). Funkyard chronicled the previous 2 years of playing together. The Joe Krown Organ Combo's latest release Livin' Large has Krown fronting a seven piece band.
   Krown has performed with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Johnny Adams, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Vassar Clemens, Marva Wright, The Platters, The Drifters, A.C. Reed, Big Time Sarah, and Jo-El Sonnier.
   Krown has recorded with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Kid Ramos (guitarist of the Fabulous Thunderbirds), Bobby Charles, Raful Neal, Marva Wright and Amy and the Hank Sinatras.

Brent Rose--sax
   After a four year stint traveling with the U. S. Marine Corps Band, Brent Rose went on to study Jazz Performance at the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Ed Petersen and Ellis Marsalis. In 1998, he was awarded first prize in the Ernest Swenson Jazz Composition Competition, for his piece "Kirotedo," which is the lead-off tune on Quintology's debut disc.
   In addition to playing with the Joe Krown Organ Combo, Rose's professional career has included stints with Quintology, Galactic, Nicholas Payton, the Temptations, Flavor Kings, Adonis Rose, New World Funk Ensemble, and the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Brent has appeared on recordings with the Joe Krown Organ Combo, Quintology, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Chévere, Have Soul Will Travel, and the Naked Orchestra. Rose is widely acclaimed in New Orleans as an emerging young jazz musician.

Casandra Faulconer--bass
Since arriving to New Orleans in 1998, Casandra Faulconer has become one of the hardest working and most sought after bass players in the city. Offbeat magazine has nominated her as one of New Orleans best bass players, along side George Porter, Jr. and James Singleton. She has a deep pocket that can keep you dancing all night long and her supportive, versatile playing allows you to catch her gigging in a wide array of settings almost any night of the week.
In addition to performing with the Joe Krown Organ Combo, Casandra has appeared and recorded with many of the city's most esteemed musicians including, Lenny McDaniel, Charmaine Neville, Leslie Smith, Sista Teedy, Lynn Drury, Have Soul Will Travel, Eric Lindell and Bryan Lee.
Along side her busy performance schedule, Cass has been an instructor for the National Guitar Workshop and is an artist and endorser of Moody Leather Straps.
http://www.casandrafaulconer.com

Mike Barras--drums
   A native of New Orleans, Mike Barras has been working professionally as a drummer for the last 15 years. He has toured nationally and internationally with notable acts such as the House Levelers, Lenny McDaniel, Stavin Chain, Marva Wright, Mulebone, and the Joe Krown Organ Combo.
   Over the years, Barras has provided the backbone for many musical performances, sharing the stage with George Porter, Jr., Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Roy Buchanan, Greg Allman, Levon Helm, Aaron Neville, and Jimmy Buffett.
Barras is frequently called on for recording sessions, including commercial jingles, blues, R&B, and rock recordings. His work can be heard on several recent releases: Joe Krown's Funk Yard, Gary Hirstus' Slightly Out of Focus and Temporary Secret, Lenny McDaniel's Tired Angels and The Blue Side, Jim McCormick's Jim McCormick, Todd Washko's Going Somewhere, Brian "Breeze" Cayolle's Soul Time, and Mulebone's award-winning 5 Shakes, 7 Spirits and Only in New Orleans.
Barras continues to earn the reputation as one of the more versatile drummers in New Orleans.

Brian Seeger--guitar (not pictured)
Brian Seeger is intimately involved in every aspect of New Orleans
vibrant music scene. His performance and recording credits include
Aaron Neville, Stanton Moore, Karl Denson, Big John Patton, Skerik,
Chris Wood, Charlie Hunter, Jason Marsalis, Ed Petersen, Zachary
Richard, Davell Crawford, Joe Krown, Theresa Andersson, Quintology
and many others. New Orleans Magazine's selection of Seeger as one of
their "Jazz All-Stars" in 1999 serves as a fitting summation of his
stature in the local music community. He is comfortable off of the
stage as well, garnering critical acclaim for his work as a record
producer and composer. Among his production credits are Quintology's
award winning eponymous debut, The Hot Club of New Orleans' More!,
Chévere's Baila Mi Ritmo, The Jesse Lewis Union, Olivier Bou's
Bou-Shah-O-Ray, as well as discs for a number of other artists.Some
of the numerous CDs Seeger's compositions have graced include Theresa
Andersson's Vibes, Stanton Moore's All Kooked Out, Quintology's Blues
By 5, Joe Krown's Funk Yard, and Moore's Verve Records debut, Flyin'
the Koop. When Seeger is not on the road, at a gig, or in the studio,
he can be found teaching in the acclaimed Jazz Studies Division at
the University of New Orleans, and also at Loyola University and the
National Guitar Workshop.
http://brianseeger.com