Abstract

Who is Abstract? New Orleans' hottest new/old jazz/ Rhythm & Blues Band, Abstract, boomed onto the scene in July 2003, with the release of its debut CD "Winning Hand". Conceptualized eight years ago by drummer, Gerald French, and bassist, Kerry Lewis, the concept was solidified when Kerry Lewis and guitarist, Joel Hamilton met in The United States Marine Corps. Gerald, Kerry, and Joel began to build a company,which created 11th Commandment Records. Due to Gerald and Kerry's long standing relstionship with pianist, Paul Longstreth , steming from earlier years while the three provided the rhythm section for "The Leroy Jones Quintet", Paul ws the obvious choise to complete the group and Abstract went to work on developing a sound and concept as a group. After completing the CD and while performing live, Abstract had the pleasure of gaining organist, Marc Adams one of New Orleans' premier musicians who joined as the fifth member.

GERALD FRENCH- Gerald started playing drums at the age of five (5). He is the son of George French, From just one of the famous families in New Orleans music. He is now the current drummer for the famous Ms. Charmaine Neville, the Darlin' of New Orleans for the passed three (5) years. Mr. French is a graduate of Alcee Foriter Senior High School and attended Southern University, of Baton Rouge where he played in the band. He was the percussion teacher at St. Marys Academy and serviced as the Assistant Band Director. Mr. French has traveled and performed with several musicians such as: Leroy Jones, Harry Connick, Jr., Dr. John, Dr. Michael White, Preservation Hal Jazz Band just to name a few. He has also appeared on several recordings, movies and television shows such as: Leroy Jones; Prop's for Pop's, Undercover Blues with Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid, lcudanismo's; Mardi Gras Manbo, New Orleans Juke Box with Charmaine Neville, Chief Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has travel for the past eleven (11) years in the month of August to Japan with the New Orleans Allstars. Mr. French is known as The Giant" for his own original style of drumming and because of that he has traveled around the world playing all types of music. He has also appeared in Modem Drummer Magazine in the October 1996 issue. He has performed at several festivals including New Orleans French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival North Sea Jazz Festival, Festival International de Jazz De Montreal, Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival, Pori Jazz Festival, and Montroux Jazz Festival.

JOEL HAMILTON- Joel Hamilton has from Meridian Mississippi, and attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. As a fixture in the Texas country music scene, he recorded with many well known artists, and shared the stage with legends like Johnny Bush, Doug Sahm, and Al Dean, in addition to future greats like the Derailers, Dale Watson, and Ted Roddy. His work has received rave reviews in publications like Guitar Magazine, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and Gut & for the Practicing Musician. He currently resides in New Orleans Louisiana, where he owns and operates Boxer Studios.

KERRY LEWIS- Kerry G. Lewis is an accomplished instrumentalist who has worked from the east coast to the west coast of this country and several other countries around the world A member of the U.S. Marine Corp Band, Kerry Lewis lead the Marine Forces Reserve Band New Orleans Jazz ensemble as its director. His more than seventeen years in the music industry has enabled him to add liveliness, professionalism, and musicianship to both the large and small ensembles of the unit. Kerry displayed a love for music in his toddler years, playing by ear several tunes on the guitar. The love for the guitar eventually led to love of the bass, for which he received the distinction in high school as a McDonald's All Star Jazz Band finalist Along the way, Kerry also became proficient on woodwind instruments, notably the saxophone. He was selected as one of two students in the state of Louisiana to become a member of the prestigious U.S. Collegiate Wind Band. On both instruments, he was honored with Louisiana All State recognition, United States Achievement Academy recognition, and he also received several college scholarships in music. The musical prowess that Kerry attained on the bass provided him with many prolific musical opportunities. He became a regular member of the Banu Gibson and New Orleans Hot Jazz, the Leroy Jones Quintet, and the Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, for whom he presently works. He played the bass on several recordings performed by the musical groups mentioned above, and several other musical groups desiring a seasoned and soulful representation of the bass. Among the accolades Kerry has received during his professional musical career are the Jazz Time All-Star Switzerland distinction and the New Orleans Magazine Jazz All-Star distinction.

PAUL LONGSTRETH- Paul is a mercenary musician ... he'll go anywhere in the world to play music for money. Raised in the bayous of Terrebonne Parish, 75 miles south of New Orleans, it was 1989 before Paul moved to New Orleans and discovered the music scene. Studying under Ellis Marsalis, he received both a B.A. and Master's degree in Music from the University of New Orleans. As versatile as he is good-looking, Paul now performs, produces, and composes professionally in the New Orleans area and around the world. In addition to his work with Abstract, his current projects include the production of an album featuring artists, Sista Teedy and Puss-n- Boots, recording and performing in the Captain Midnight Band All-Star Posse, as well as an ongoing gig with the Leroy Jones Quintet. Expect a hit-filled album release this Winter featuring Longstreth's band, Umami, in conjunction with Three Little Piggy Productions (of which Paul is a pretty significant piggy)!

MARC ADAMS- Marc Adams has been a part of the New Orleans music scene for 25 years. During that time he has played on over 75 recordings by local, regional and national artists. In 1984 Adams joined house band at the legendary Old Absia the House Bar. He stayed for 14 years, first playing with blind blues man Bryan Lee, then a new singer named Marva Wright, then leading his own band. At that time the "A Bar" was one of the hottest clubs in town and all the big touring bands would stop in after their concerts. A short list of the artist's he had a chance to meet and jam with would include Sting, Jimmy Page, Steven Stills, Cyndi Lauper as well as visits from BB King, Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart. Marc has played and still does play with everyone in town.

Sound / Video Clips  No Audio/Video Available

Please tell your buddies, groupies, family, and colleagues about Abstract and Rent My Band. Blog about us. Show your love and show your support! Click on the links below to add Abstract and Rent My Band to social bookmarking sites. This will help people find Abstract and Rent My Band on the crowded web.