For over 15 years, Rare Blend's music resonates with purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original instrumental music. Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles, Rare Blend continues to receive favorable press reviews, and radio airplay, performing at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs.
Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others.
Started in 1993, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion as a duo. Recorded and produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi Holt, Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues in Ohio.
In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer/composer Paul Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare Blend added additional musical texture to the original concept and took the live performance to a new level.
CD album recordings added to the catalog to date:
· CINEFUSION(1995)
· INFINITY (2000)
· EVOLUTION THEORY (2002)
· STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006) Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006.
SESSIONS (2009) With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007.
Press quotes on SESSIONS:
"Rare Blend moves into 2010 as one of America's most adventurous instrumental fusion groups!" (Robert Silverstein - Music Web Express 3000 / Little Neck, NY)
"Amazing musicianship, impressive jams, and the dynamic and progressive arsenal of songs – 14 in all. At 73 minutes – RB's "SESSIONS" is a fully loaded production." (Cyrus Rhodes - Indie Music Digest / Seatlle, WA)
"Both "jazz" and "jam band" in nature, Rare Blend's CD Sessions is an exercise in the "single-take" mentality that has become one of the band's trademarks." (Jud Conway - Kindweb.com)
"Rare Blend has yet to disappoint, and from the looks of things, this seasoned quartet intends to do anything but". (Elias Granillo - Sea of Tranquility/ Newburgh, NY)
"These tracks exhibit the band's knack for agreeable pacing and smart use of breathing space. In competently mining the heady realms of Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc., Rare Blend joins exclusive company."
(Progression Magazine - Lowell, MA)
"I'd highly recommend this to fans of fusion and fusion based prog rock. It's a great set." (Gary Hill - Music Street Journal/ Rockford, IL)
"It's so amazing when a group of musicians can compose and / or improvise such a continuance of sounds that flow so fluidly without any difficulty"
(Jasper / North Coast Voice Magazine - Geneva, OH)
With a variety of stylistic influences, strong chops and a generally laid-back but still rocking feel, this is music that should appeal to jam-band fans". (Anastasia Pantsios - Cleveland Scene Magazine)
