Songs from/inspired by the 1920's, New Orleans, and traditional jazz.

1920's, New Orleans, Originals & Trad Jazz

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches debut album: Very Next Thing

Going for radio adds on September 1, 2016

New York City’s Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are likely the only band infusing elements of Gullah-Geechee culture with folk traditions, New Orleans influences, and music from the 1920s. Their brand new album, Very Next Thing, includes 10 songs.

Gullah-Geechee was developed by Africans on the islands and coasts of Georgia and South Carolina centuries ago. They introduced traditional instruments (banjo, fiddle) and novel playing styles. Drums were banned—so they used their hands, feet, stick, and mouths to create drum sounds. This strong influence on the band gives a distinct sound. Dr. David Pleasant plays 8 out of 10 songs on percussion that have Gullah influence. David is an esteemed African-American culture bearer. He uses his body, voice, and a drum set made of tambourines.

"This powerful and strong influence for our band brings spiritual energy to our shows," says Nick Russo. "My musical life has always been surrounded by an eclectic combination of unique musicians and scenes. So naturally, my own band has been a melting pot of many different cultures, genres, instruments, and sounds!”

MUSICIAN BIOS

Nick Russo leads the charge as bandleader and composer. He plays banjo, resonator, and guitar. Russo had the honor to play with Sir Paul McCartney while performing at Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s home. Nick has performed on ABC’s “Good Morning America" and appears in the Sam Mendes film “Away We Go.”

Percussionist and composer, Dr. David Pleasant has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Cecil Taylor, and many others. He has also performed on Nickelodeon, TED talks, ABC with Ted Koppel, Broadway, and around the world.

Betina Hershey (vocals, guitar) has appeared as a principal dancer in Disney’s Enchanted and Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts. Hershey performed on international and national tours of Broadway shows including “West Side Story” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

Rounding out the band is Miles Griffith. His non-traditional use of the voice as a percussive instrument, combined with an uncanny harmonic sense makes a singular force in the ensemble. He has performed with Max Roach, Reggie Workman, Paul Simon, and others. He played the lead role in Wynton Marsalis' jazz oratorio ''Blood On The Fields,'' which premiered at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

SONGS AND STORIES

"My mom used to sing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and I loved singing harmony with her. She passed away three weeks after Nick and I got married and she’s had a huge influence on my musicality since she loved country, bluegrass, and so many genres of music," says Betina.

"‘I Don’t Believe in Love’ is a saucy flirtation of a song. I do believe in love, but it creates all kinds of pressure. By the way, we didn't get married in Spain, but we did have a musical honeymoon there."

"Elizabeth Cotten's ‘Freight Train’ had to be our first track,” says Nick. “The vibe Betina creates with this tune with my added slide fills, and David's harmonica playing creates a beautiful texture. The way Elizabeth Cotten sings and plays guitar is a masterful part of our country’s African-American heritage.

"We started playing ‘Jock-A-Mo’ (Iko Iko) as a band because of a New Orleans gig we played in Manhattan a few years ago,” says Russo. "We added Miles Griffith and he improvised a vocal line and Betina harmonized during the interlude section and an arrangement was born! On a second studio recording date, we improvised yet another version with Mamadou Ba on bass and I'm playing resonator with a brass slide. We used a short version for Very Next Thing."

http://banjonickaru.com

Very Next Thing

Banjo Nickaru Very Next Thing

Sinatrasamo 2

Nat King Cole Sings When I Fall In Love

(3:25) - Folk - FCC Friendly - What’s Meant To Last Will Last is inspired by songs from the 1920’s songs and written as a celebration. Sometimes we need to let go of the past to be joyfully present.  For my friend Heidi Anderson, inspiring songstress and sweet dreamer! This song has gorgeous harmonies layered on by Angela Workman.

LYRICS: What's Meant To Last Will Last

Don’t you wanna throw it all away
Don’t you need to clear the system
Don’t you wanna throw away the past
What’s meant to last will last

Don’t you want to sweep the dirt
Though the sweeping, it may hurt
Don’t you wanna clear the path
What’s meant to last will last

Oh I know you and you know me, too
And I know all the things you wanna do

Don’t you wanna laugh out loud
Don’t you wanna make yourself proud
Don’t you wanna have a blast
What’s meant to last will last

(Solos)

Don’t you wanna fill up your shoes
Don’t you wanna outshine the news
Don’t you wanna give up the past
What’s meant to last will last

Don’t you want to clean that slate
Don’t you wanna fill up your plate
Don’t you want to end this fast
What’s meant to last will last

Oh I know you and you know me
I think this journey - might set us free

Don’t you wanna laugh out loud
Don’t you wanna make yourself proud
Don’t you wanna have a blast
What’s meant to last will last

(Solos)

Ooh, the breezes, how they blow
How it teases with the - things I wanna know

Don’t you wanna laugh out loud
Don’t you wanna make yourself proud
Don’t you wanna have a blast
What’s meant to last will last

Don’t you wanna throw it all away
Don’t you need to clear the system
Don’t you wanna throw away the past
What’s meant to last will last
Don’t you wanna throw away the past
What’s meant to last will last


Who’s Who On The Recording:
Betina Hershey, voice, guitar, lyrics/composition
Angela Workman, voice
Michela Marino Lerman, tap
Russell Hall, double bass
Nick Russo (Banjo Nickaru), tenor banjos, music director, producer

Authors: 
Betina Hershey (music/lyrics/arrangement)
recorded and shot at Soundtronics in NYC
sound engineer & co-producer, Len Monachello

DETAILS:
Track 7 on the upcoming album Lift You Up.
ISRC code:QZXRQ2300007
Formatt: Singer/Songwriter, 1920’s inspired
Length: 3:25

Lift You Up

What's Meant To Last Will Last

Stay With Me - Madilyn Bailey (Tempo Increase, Pitch Drop)

Shirley Bassey  Feelings

La Cumparsita - Tango

"A Man and a Woman" (Francis Lai)This is a remixed/duet -Robert Lamm with Marina Celeste of Nouvelle Vague

"A Man and a Woman" [Robert Lamm with Marina Celeste)

We (Nick Russo & Betina Hershey Russo) wrote I'm Gettin' Married for each other for our own wedding.

We released this original on September 30, 2016 on our album, "Very Next Thing" by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

http://www.BanjoNickaru.com

I'm Gettin' Married

Betina (Hershey) wrote I Don't Believe In Love for me (Nick Russo)before we were married and are now including it on our debut album, 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

http://banjonickaru.com

I Don't Believe In Love

Opening track of our new album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Betina Hershey, vocals/guitar
Nick Russo, resonator/slide
Dr. David Pleasant, harmonica/percussion
Mamadou Ba, electric bass

http://www.banjonickaru.com

Freight Train

From our new album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

http://banjonickaru.com

You Are My Sunshine

From our debut album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Betina Hershey, voice
Miles Griffith, voice
Nick Russo, slide guitar
Dr. David Pleasant, percussion
Mamadou Ba, electric bass

http://banjonickaru.com

Jock-A-Mo

1924 Spencer Williams's piece (lyrics by Jack Palmer).

From our debut album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Features:
Betina Hershey, voice/guitar
Nick Russo, banjo
Dr. David Pleasant, percussion
Josh Holcomb on trombone (from MTV's Lucky Chops)

Release date: September 30, 2016

http://banjonickaru.com

Nobody But My Baby Is Getting My Love

Sweet Georgia Brown composed in 1925 by Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard (Kenneth Casey, lyrics).

From our new album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Features:
Betina Hershey, voice/guitar
Nick Russo, banjo
David Pleasant, percussion

http://www.banjonickaru.com

Sweet Georgia Brown

1926 Harry Woods tune.

From our debut album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Features:
Betina Hershey, voice
Gordon Au, trumpet
Dennis Lichtman, clarinet
Nick Russo, banjo
Essiet Essiet, bass
Dr. David Pleasant, drums

http://banjonickaru.com

When The Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin Along)

Harry Dixon Loes (1895-1965) wrote this spiritual in the 1920s and was first collected by John Lomax in 1939.

From our debut album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Features:
Miles Griffith, voice
Betina Hershey, voice
Nick Russo, guitar
Mamadou Ba, bass
Dr. David Pleasant, drum

http://banjonickaru.com

This Little Light Of Mine

New York City's Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are likely the only band infusing elements of world rhythms and sonorities with folk traditions, New Orleans influences, and music from the 1920s. Their forthcoming sophomore album, Get Us Out Of Fearland, due June 15, builds upon the multi-cultural exuberance that made their debut, Very Next Thing, a transcendent breath of fresh air. Elmore Magazine championed its “Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition,” with revered tastemaker station WFUV adding, This is a band that must be heard to be believed!"

"This powerful and strong influence for our band brings spiritual energy to our shows," says co-founder/musician Nick Russo. "My musical life has always been surrounded by an eclectic combination of unique musicians and scenes. So naturally, this band is a melting pot of many different cultures, genres, instruments, and sounds. My dream is that people of all races and origins live, play and share all our different world musics and cultures together as one united race, without fear…one love!”

While the band’s debut featured a “Unfailingly high-spirited” mix of traditional fare culled from various cultures, the new 9-track opus showcases mostly original material, with the lone cover, a lively rendition of “A Hundred Miles," the rollicking fiddle-fueled train tune from the 1800s. The remaining eight songs were penned by vocalist Betina Hershey, “Songs are always pouring out of me. Some I catch, and some slip out past my lips and float away. With the help of a cast of music mates, these songs linger so beautifully, with textures that I hadn’t even imagined.”

Highlights of Get Us Out Of Fearland include the playful 1920s verve of “I Don’t Need No Glasses,” the warm lilting embrace of “I Wish The World Knew Why,” the organ-driven, gospel-tinged “Dandelion,” featuring special guest singers, Stephanie Rice and Charenee Wade, and “Soar,” an inspirational song filled with optimism, determination, and perseverance. These qualities soar skyward throughout the 25-minute journey but none more so than on the boisterous groundbreaking title track, which features improvisational vocalist Miles Griffith, known for his work with Max Roach, Paul Simon, and Reggie Workman, and percussionist/vocalist, Dr. David Pleasant, a singular talent who has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Cecil Taylor, and Paul Simon. 

To support the lead-up to the release of Fearland, Russo and Hershey, along with accomplished percussionist Emiliano Valerio, who appears on four songs on the album, will play fifteen showcases at the world renown Folk Alliance International Conference, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary, February 14-18, in Kansas City, MO. Last year, the group was a breakthrough act at the conference, receiving a special invitation to open the main stage of the Kansas City Folk Festival.

“Unfailingly high-spirited.” London Times

"This is a band that must be heard to be believed!” WFUV

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive." No Depression

“It's unlike anything most listeners will find elsewhere.” San Diego Troubadour

“Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition.” Elmore Magazine

"Get Us Out of Fearland” https://youtu.be/eBjU_0TyBnw
“I Wish The World Knew Why” https://youtu.be/_nUIaxzjoKc
“Soar” https://youtu.be/wPcqoubvUxo

Get Us Out Of Fearland

Dandelion

NYC-based The Scooches fuses global music with Americana sounds, including folk, roots, New Orleans styles, music of the 1920s, and originals.

"...it's unlike anything most listeners will find elsewhere."
San Diego Troubadour

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive" No Depression 
 
“Unfailingly high-spirited." LONDON TIMES

"It underscores, too, how sounds from another time can be renewed and re-imagined, by creative minds and right hands, in the present moment. (Banjo Nickaru & Western) Scooches are ridiculously fun." Rambles. 

LIFT YOU UP #1 Album - FAI Folk Chart July 2023
GET US OUT OF FEARLAND  #2 Album - FAI Folk Chart April 2018 
THE VERY NEXT THING  #6  Album - FAI Folk Chart September 2016

“Remarkable musical dexterity, with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition.” Elmore Magazine

Led by Betina Hershey and multi-instrumentalist Nick Russo, the Scooches feature standout musicians from New York, Suriname, Mexico, and Sapelo Island, who have performed at Kansas City Folk Festival, Club Passim, Isis Music Hall, Blue Plate Special, WFUV, John Platt's “On Your Radar” and all around the world. Band members have performed with artists such as Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Wynton Marsalis. Plus they have made appearances in movies such as Disney's "Enchanted,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Away We Go” and PBS Masterpiece, “The Chaperone.” 


"Fresh and vital" Classical Arts 

“Nick Russo has worked with artists all over the jazz spectrum. His latest release brings a decidedly unorthodox approach.”DOWNBEAT  ⋆⋆⋆⋆