THE EXPERIENCE ERA
In 1966 Jimi Hendrix went to London and combined with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to form, The Experience. The original power-trio, The Experience are widely recognized as possibly the most influential band ever in the development of hard rock, psychedelic rock and even heavy metal. Jimi’s fire burning guitar acrobatics made their live sets legendary and the music stands the test of time as well. All three of the band's studio albums, Are You Experienced (1967), Axis: Bold as Love (1967) and Electric Ladyland (1968), notched in the top 100 of Rolling Stone magazine’s list of Greatest Albums of All-Time. KISS THE SKY musicians are honored to re-create their classic music & stage shows such as the incredible classic MONTEREY POP performance of 1967!
as JIMI HENDRIX... JIMY BLEU
With a well earned reputation for high-energy performances showcasing both his mastery of guitar in playing proficiency as well as expert execution in athletic guitar wielding acrobatics, Jimy Bleu, has carried on the Hendrix tradition for over 50 years. He is thus the longest running Hendrix tribute artist in the world. Jimy Bleu actually met Jimi Hendrix in 1968 while at Warner/Reprise records and a member of the official Hendrix fan club that got Hendrix to address an assembly at his high school of the Performing Arts in NYC. Jimy Bleu attended Berklee College of Music on the recommendation of Hendrix himself and went on to become a Columbia/Def Jam recording artist. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist in the studio, has performed in major venues across the globe including: MTV's Rock the vote tour, the Atlanta Pop Festival, on the BBC, for PBS and opened for rock music star acts like: Foghat, Aerosmith and Graham Central Station. Bleu even produced and starred in his own off broadway play on the life of Jimi Hendrix.
As his last living protege, Bleu is a Hendrix historian and has given lectures on radio, TV and college campuses about the musical, spiritual and political importance of Hendrix. His musical talents and Hendrix stage show expertise has even landed Bleu a touring member spot with former Jimi Hendrix bassist, Mr. Billy Cox’s band ... The Band of Gypsys Experience! Just like Jimi Hendrix...Jimy Bleu is a rare left handed guitar virtuoso thus bringing even more authenticity to the concert re-creations he now performs in...KISS THE SKY! - https://www.newdivinitysfc.com
as NOEL REDDING... ERIC VISNOV and AJ HAGER
One of the most in demand blues bassists in the country, Hager has been touring and recording professionally for over 25 years, performing with some of the all-time greats like: Levon Helm, John Mayall, Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Steady Rolli Bob Margolin, Coco Montoya, and more. From 1998 - 2007, AJ toured internationally with world-renown Blues guitarist, Debbie Davies (of Albert Collins & the IceBreakers fame). And along with guest stars like, James Cotton, Mick Taylor, Peter Green, & J. Geils, AJ can be heard on 3 of Debbie's CD's: Key to Love, Debbie Davies Live and Love the Game. AJ's current fav projects are touring with the John McNutt band, Victor Records Recording artist - Graham Alexander, Michael Allman & the Mile High Club, and of course playing as Noel Redding with KISS THE SKY. Eric Visnov- pictured, Bio... coming soon.
as MITCH MITCHELL... TED EDWARDS
A veteran presence on the NYC pro music circuit for over 25 years, Long Island native, Ted Edwards played the part of Mitch Mitchell for Jimy Bleu's Voodoo Child Revue for 2 decades before KTS. He has also performed with numerous top level east coast regional touring tribute acts: Speed King (Deep Purple), Heavy Cream (Cream), Break On Through (Doors), Valhalla (Led Zep) as well as tributes to ELP, RUSH, GENESIS and more. Ted was also a member of the popular Woodstock tribute, Yasgurs Farm and has studied under legendary jazz drummers like: Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), Kenwood Dennard (Jaco Pastorius/Sting) and Mike Clarke (Herbie Hancock) to name a few. Ted was a scholarship winner for drums and percussion to Edison State University and has also studied at NYC's Drummer's Collective. and is the founder of Mitchell's Jazz Disciple jam session.
THE BAND OF GYPSYS ERA
When Jimi Hendrix began exploring the funkier side of rock-&-roll he brought in the explosive rhythm section of Buddy Miles on drums and Billy Cox on bass to create, The BAND of GYPSYS. BoG was short lived but the music has survived to critical acclaim as some of the most impressive in Jimi’s entire career. The Band of Gypsys Fillmore set recorded over New Year's eve 1969 into New Year's day 1970 still consistently ranks in top-10 lists as one of the greatest live shows in music history. KISS THE SKY musicians are proud to re-create this incredible set.
as JIMI HENDRIX... JIMY BLEU
"The Band of Gypsys represented a change in the music of Jimi Hendrix as well as his stage performance. Gone were his trademark guitar tricks replaced by a more intense introspective and incredible guitar sound. This is most evident on his anti-war anthem, the classic Machine Gun. It is an honor and a challenge that I look forward to each time I get to play this part in this show." – JB
See bio in Experience Set (above)
as BILLY COX... MOBY MEDINA
Moby Medina first became a professional recording artist at age 15 when making albums for ABC Records with Jerry Nolan and Buddy Bowser of the New York Dolls. Moby then went on to tour with R&B powerhouse Curtis Knight Band that once employed Jimi Hendrix. Moby even met Jimi a number of times while a youngster in the NYC music scene. Since then, Moby has continued to be an in - demand New York area session bassist for top rock, R&B and funk acts especially backing saxophone specialist and long time blues bandmate... The King Bee. Now he is proud to play the part of Billy Cox on bass with Kiss The Sky.
as BUDDY MILES... JAMES "BISCUIT" ROUSE and HERB GOULDING
James "Biscuit" Rouse has become a go-to drummer for some of soul music's greatest artists, including Nile Rogers and Chic, Ray Chew, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Pharrell Williams, Usher and Lauryn Hill. Besides being a highly in demand professional studio session and live performance percussionist, "Biscuit" also uses his skills as a vocalist, songwriter and band leader to front his stellar solo project through his own release EP.. Biscuit Street! Knowing how rare great singing drummers are, Biscuit is proud to honor the great Buddy Miles by playing his part in Band of Gypsy projects with A-list stars like Vernon Reid and of course.. Kiss The Sky. HERB GOULD - pictured, Bio... coming soon.
CRY OF LOVE ERA
Hendrix's last tour he combined the power of the Experience 's Mitch Mitchell drums with the funk of the Gypsy's Billy Cox bass for the rock-fusion in the Cry of Love. It was maybe his most critcially accalimed project playing some of his biggest shows like Atl. Pop and the Isle of Wight. KTS is honored to play COL hits like In From The Storm, EZ Ryder and Freedom... for audiences of today... LIVE
as JIMI HENDRIX... JIMY BLEU
"Jimi's sound with Billy Cox on bass and Mitch on the kit went to yet another level. He was paving paths for funk-rock fuzion and beyond and I'm so glad we have the talent to showcase this era in KTS." – JB See bio in Experience Set
as BILLY COX... MOBY MEDINA
"Billy Cox was Jimi's longest collaborator and friend. He was there at the start with the King Casuals, then came back for Woodstock, the Band of Gypsys and there at the end with the Cry of Love tour. We can't underestimate the importance of having a talented musical companion and trusted pal twas for Jimi to lean on through all those years which helped the creative output and brilliance we all get to enjoy from Jimi Hendrix's career. I've gotten to meet and jam with Billy and it is an absolute honor to play his part and carry the baton on bass." - MM See bio in BOG Set
as MITCH MITCHELL... TED EDWARDS
"Mitch Mitchell was a bonafide modern jazz drummer before becoming an iconic figure in the rock and roll drummers world. He represents a critical turning point in the evolution of pop/rock drumming. Always pushing the envelope of virtuosity and freedom to the highest levels with Hendrix while ushering in the dawn of Jazz/Rock fusion. I try my best to bring that Mitch style out to the fans every show." – TE
WOODSTOCK ERA
Woodstock 1969 – the most famous concert in history and Jimi Hendrix was the head-liner! Jimi’s performance at Woodstock was none other than epic. Even though he had a new 6-piece band, The Sun & Rainbows, Jimi stole or consumed the spotlight. His incredible version of the Star Spangled Banner alone made music history. Hendrix was also experimenting with his sound at that time, adding the African beats of Juma Sultan and Latino percussion of Jerry Velez and R&B guitar backing of Larry Lee, all talents who went on to have great music careers.
KISS THE SKY performers are excited to tribute these great musicians from Jimi’s Woodstock band who often don’t get enough credit.
as JIMI HENDRIX... JIMY BLEU
"There has never been a Jimi tribute that actually used a full six-piece band to reconstruct the Woodstock concert. This is epic and I am excited to perform it." – JB
as BILLY COX... BRETT JOLLY & MOBY MEDINA
In addition to being a music producer and composer, Brett Jolly happens to be one of the top professional live and recording session bassists in the world. Originally a bassist for super-star Teddy Pendergrass, the list of performers whom Jolly has backed or collaborated with throughout his entire career has become a ‘who’s who’ in all musical genres: Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Olivia Newton John, Ashanti, Earth Wind & Fire, The OJays, Ashford & Simpson and more. MOBY MEDINA pictured and Bio in BOG section
as LARRY LEE... GREG SOVER
A native of Brooklyn, NY - Greg Sover burst onto the Philly music scene by winning the Philadelphia's HARD ROCK CAFE - HARD ROCK RISING COMPETITION in 2015. He has since become a 'young-gun' guitarist to be reckoned with his Greg Sover Band gaining a reputation for exciting live performances. Sover is also enjoying critical acclaim as a serious singer-songwriter. His debut CD, SONGS OF A RENEGADE has received glowing reviews and continues to grow on international air play and he has since recorded with Hendrix bassist, Billy Cox. Sover's influences include a wide variety of musical greats from Bob Marley to Jay-Z to of course.. Jimi Hendrix, whom Sover himself played as once for the National Anthem to open a Philadelphia Phillies game a Citizens Bank Park Stadium.
as MITCH MITCHELL... JOHN HUMMEL & TED EDWARDS
While John's main gig is drumming for the award winning, Matt O’Ree band, he is also a veteran session musician playing live performances and doing studio work in the NY/NJ metro area for various projects. With the Matt O'Ree band, John has opened for rock legends like Paul Rodgers, Deep Purple and Lynyrd Skynyrd and his drumming talent has been honored numerous times with performance invites to the annual all-star drummer’s BONZO BASH for late Led Zeppelin great John Bonham. John has toured throughout the USA, South America and Europe and recorded with numerous artists such as: Matt O'Ree (Bon Jovi), Amfibian (Tom Marshall), Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors), Neal Casal (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals), John Ginty (Citizen Cope), CC Coletti (Meatloaf) and Lady Gaga. TED EDWARDS = Pictured and Bio in EXP section
as JUMA SULTAN... BRANDON HOWARD and PIERRE NIX
Bios coming soon...
On JUMA SULTAN:
"Juma Sultan is a master of African beats whose music and career is truly inspirational. He went on from Jimi to do a lot of Avant-Garde Jazz work with the likes of Archie Shepp, Noah Howard, & Sonny Simmons and formed the Aboriginal Music Society. His Afro-Centric style meshing into the 1970’s Free Jazz music world was completely innovative.. I look forward to playing his part." - PN
as GERARDO VELEZ ... ROB GIGLIO & JIMI MARRERO
Rob Giglio is a true showman, ham and monster drummer playing for some of the top recording and live touring Punk-Rock, Metal and Glam Bands in the Philly Circuit for over 20 years such as Mothra, Beretta 76 and Creem Circus. The Temple U grad is one of the most fun people to be around, keeping things loose and not too serious. He mentions his main drumming influence as Animal from the Muppets.
On JERRY VELEZ:
"To be real for a minute, Gerardo Velez went on from Woodstock to become one of the top Latin Rhythm percussionists in the world, playing with everyone from Elton John to David Bowie to Chic, Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child, Stevie Nicks, Chaka Khan, Marc Anthony and countless others. He was even a founding member of best selling jazz fusion group of all-time, Spyro Gyra. So yeah… I have fun but it’s a truly great musician I get to represent in this show." – RB, JIMI MARRERO pictured, Bio coming soon
