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Rented Mule

Rented Mule is a high energy jazz-rock band with players hailing from Phila. and New York. A group of seasoned jazz players, (who haved performed with Rashid Ali, Sun Ra, David Amram, Billy Bang and Badal Roy,) have come together to create "jazz that funks". Rented Mule is currently #27 on CMJ.

Don Jones studied under Phil Lightfoot, Darryl Brown and Gerry Brown. He has performed with Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, Pharoah Sanders, Monette Sudler, Gloria Gaynor, The Orlons, Danny and the Jrs, The Drifters, Tymes, Bo Diddley, David Amram, Bonnie Raitt and has also played with Eastern Standard Time, Forecast and White Elephant.

Pete McRae has recorded and performed with many artists including: Gina Ferrera, Connie Stevens, Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music; Zappa), Mr. Mister, Peter Kingsbery (Cock Robin), David Baerwald, The Rembrandts and Stan Ridgway. He studied guitar and composition at USC in LA (taking composition privately with Robert Moore while at USC) as well as studying guitar privately with Jerry Hahn, Dave Creamer, Barry Finnerty, Ted Greene, Bill Kanengiser.

Napoleon Black has performed and recorded with Denise King, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and many others.

Todd Horton is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer and producer who has produced albums for many artists in various genres as well as his own boutique label Soulsearch Music. Todd led his own groups in New York City for thirteen years, was first lieutenant to famed altoist Arnie Lawrence for eight years, performing with greats such as Herman Foster, Winston Grennan, Hiram Bullock, David Tronzo, Vernon Reed, Billy Bang, Rashid Ali, Maceo Parker, Joan Osborne, Blues Traveler, Richard Bona, African Blue Note, Badal Roy and Bernard Purdie among many others. He was also a member of The Spin Doctors, Buddy Miles Experience, The Neville Family Affair, Winston Grennan and Ska Rocks, Phoebe Legere, Richie Cole's Alto Madness Orchestra, Atilla Engin's New World Orchestra, African Blue Note, Richard Bona and Ani Difranco's traveling circus and freakshow. Educated at Ithaca Community School of Music and Art, Berklee College of Music, Ithaca College of Music and The New School Jazz Program in New York City.

A Philadelphia native, Jason Omara performs and teaches throughout the Philadelphia area. He keeps a busy schedule working as a freelance saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, oboist, composer, arranger, recording-engineer, and producer. Jason has performed with Natalie Cole, James Moody, Randy Brecker, John Swana, Jon Faddis, The Temptations and many others.

Philadelphia percussionist Frank “Squirrel” Williams has played in literally thousands of Jazz and Funk settings, he also teaches West African, Cuban and Brazilian music to local drummers and percussionists.

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06/05/09
RENTED MULE JAZZ
RENTED MULE/X: Two cats that have been around forever and played with everyone round up some like minded young bloods for a set that’s an homage to the accessible side of Miles’ funk excursions of the 70s and the like minded works of his acolytes. Managing to be original and not derivative, this has the special sauce those looking for that look back are looking for. A tasty retro slice of fusion before it descended into yukiness.



Volume 32/Number 218
June 5, 2009
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2009 Midwest Record

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