KC Johnson & Pat Downing |
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Johnson & Downing's musical paths first crossed in 2003
when they helped form the Grand Rapids based R&B band Ruby Sky. Both
musicians have performed in many different bands over the years and
have covered many styles of music during their careers including rock,
folk, blues, R&B, country and jazz. |
| KC is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. His CD
There I Am was released in the summer of 2004 and has been well
recieved and featured often on KAXE Northern Community Radio. KC was in
the process of recording when the two met and Pat ended up playing the
bass on most of the CD. The musical chemistry was undeniable and the
two decided to explore the possibilities of a duo format. High Bongo
was born. |
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Pat's upright bass lays down the foundation and the solid groove for KC's
soulful vocals, and the textures change from song to song with the addition
of acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo or even simply a set of hand
drums. |
| In addition to KC's original songs, High Bongo covers a wide variety
of material by universally known artists such as The Beatles, Joni
Mitchell, Marvin Gaye and B.B. King as well as lesser
known but respected artists such as Greg Brown, Laura Nyro,
Richard Thompson, Mary-Chapin Carpenter and Peter Case.
The two are known for putting a unique "twist" on the songs they
cover and in doing so make them their own. |
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