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oso rey is soulgrassfolkrebellion. Not just the music, but the life:
born the grandson of a church-tent-revival singer, and into a family of musicians, teachers,
and preachers. Raised with a deep love of art, music, and literature, oso rey has spent the last
ten years cultivating a sound that is all his own.
"Oso Rey is that voice and has this sound for this time. He has a mix of all that was before
(James) Taylor and all that has come after. His music is blues, rock, jazz, contempoary,
bluegrass, funk and classical, which makes it distinctly folk music of the 21st century."
-Steven Sabel, Redlands Daily Facts
In his independent pursuit of musical freedom, oso rey has worked as a teacher, a graphic
designer, a sculptor, a bartender, and a carpenter. All of these jobs have allowed oso to develop his
sound and his musical lifestyle at a pace that lends itself to his family and his community.
In doing so, he has been able to retain a certain balance that is reflected in his lyrics.
His soulgrassfolkrebellion started in Santa Cruz, Ca. and has made its way
throughout the west coast the past few years. Highlight performances have been on NBC
and CBS morning shows in Eugene Oregon as well as live performances on 90.7FM KPFK
"Global Village" in Los Angeles. Independent radio stations such as KCRW have featured
his music as well as countless college stations.
Oso rey has shared the stage with the likes of No Doubt, Sublime, Leftover Salmon,
and Fishbone. His music has been featured on MTV's, "Road Rules".
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Chronological music history:
1981: began playing the trumpet, following his uncle- a professional session player
1983: gave up the trumpet at the first chance to play the drums in the school band
1983-87: competed and performed in jazz ensembles throughout California on drums
1989: quit the drums to play basketball (didn't make the NBA)
1991: found grandfather's old guitar in garage & took it to college- drums wouldn't fit.
1992: transferred to University of Redlands, and formed the band, Sages of Memphis
1993-97: toured, and recorded two albums (Jewel, & Year of the Elephant) with Sages.
1997-2001: the re-invention of Sages of Memphis = oso rey discovers alternate tunings
2000: First solo performance for oso rey at SF's famous Caf Du Nord's Monday Night Hoot
2002: Spring- moved to St.John, US Virgin Islands, and began playing weekly gigs at clubs
2003: Spring- had moved back to California, recorded what was to become debut solo release
2003: Fall- the release of debut album, "the last day of clouds"
2004-2005: touring for, "the last day of clouds"
2005: Spring- oso rey gets married and his first son, Elijah is born
2006: releasing the new live cd, "Live at the Loft"
2006: moved to Asheville, NC to pursue his music full time
2007-2008: Bought a house with a barn, and started building a recording studio, throwing late night barn jams…creating album art for local Asheville bands- The Plowshares, Laura Blackley, Jonathan Scales, and Silas Durocher.
2009: started a band,SOULGRASS REBELLION, with Silas Durocher (Laura Reed & Deep Pocket), Brian Jones (Afromotive), and Justin Powell (Fly Brothers, Indigo Girls)
Since moving to Asheville, NC oso rey has performed at venues such as the Orange Peel, Bobo Gallery, The Grey Eagle, and has hosted singer/songwriter showcases in downtown Asheville at Carmel's and Bobo Gallery. This month, Oso rey will be playing his first show with the new band at Mo Daddy's in Asheville, Saturday, May 30. The new sound can be heard the night before, Friday May 29, on wncw.org 88.7 fm "local color" hosted by Laura Blackley. 8pm EST
