|
Guitarist and vocalist Ken Arconti is a native Californian who has performed in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. At home in almost any musical environment, his playing is filled with passion, sensitivity and soulful lyricism. Ken's latest solo release, "Samsara Blues," features 10 original instrumental compositions, ranging from funky jam-oriented excursions and hard-rocking blues to introspective ballads. Ken is joined on this CD by some of the Bay Area's finest musicians: John R. Burr (Alison Brown, Robben Ford) on keyboards, Dewayne Pate (Robben Ford, Chris Cain) on bass, David Rokeach (Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles) on drums, Tom Politzer (Spang-a-Lang, Tower of Power) on tenor and alto saxophones, and David "Pacha" Alvarez (Sista Monica, Con Corazon) on congas and percussion. Inspired by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Ken began playing guitar at the age of 11 and was soon performing in bands and absorbing the sounds of the '60s. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the soul of Stax and Motown, the blues of B.B. and Albert King, and jazz artists Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery were all influences. In 1978, Ken moved from his home of Los Angeles north to Santa Cruz, and began playing in clubs around the Bay Area. Although he has performed everything from country to top-40 rock, his recent explorations in jazz landed him a coveted spot as a featured artist at the 2004 Monterey Jazz Festival. Ken is perhaps best known for his blues playing, and he has performed many times at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. The list of artists he has opened for reads like a "Who's Who" of the blues, including Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite and Robben Ford. Ken's first solo album, "As the Years Go Passing By," (1993) featured a set of driving blues recorded live at the renowned Catalyst club in Santa Cruz. He has also recorded and performed with the Broadway Blues Band, Terry Hanck and the Soul Rockers, the Chris Cobb Band, The Mighty Penguins and legendary New Orleans funk drummer Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters). Ken taught in the California Arts in Corrections Program from 1992 to 2003, teaching guitar, music theory and improvisation at Soledad Prison. He was the recipient of a prestigious Artist in Residence Grant from the California Arts Council from 1999 to 2002, establishing a multi-cultural music program at Salinas Valley State Prison, which was featured in the 2002 VH1 documentary "Music Behind Bars." In addition to performing, Ken has a devoted clientele of private guitar students. |
