Artist description Self contained homemade and organic. Soulful vocals, acoustic guitar, occasional monologues... Y'know, focused high energy post-mod, soul, acoustic troubadour, bare feet giving you the percussion, smiles filling the hall with the ambience of love. Positive and unflinchingly honest music. In your face with a tender hand. Ocasionally, we'll add some electronics. Music to make you groove and think. Think of warm colored wood and fireplaces.

Music Style Soul Folk Groove

Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Nina Simone, Billy Bragg, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Jobim, Joni Mitchell, Duke Ellington, Elvis Costello

Similar Artists Ben Harper, Curtis Mayfield, Tim Buckley, Neil Finn, Dave Matthews

Artist History Bio interview excerpts:_________Q: Who's in your CD player right now? _________A: I've got Nick Drake. I listened to a little Astrud Gilberto this morning. And I've been on a Charlie Parker kick since I saw Cassandra Wilson sing "Ornithology" on TV the other night. I've also been listening to Paul Westerberg's new discs and a guy named Josh Rouse....I like both of those records a lot. In my head I think people will be listening to me between Isley Brothers and D'Angelo. But in reality it'll probably be in a mix with guys like that, Badly Drawn Boy, John Mayer, David Gray and Ani DiFranco. So I wanted to check out the atmosphere. I also like Norah Jones. _________ Q: I hear hints of Steely Dan, Prince, Paul Simon, and maybe even Travis in this disc, yet there's also poetry, a little reggae, and even some sitar samples mixed into a laid back California soul. What influences were you calling forth when you put this disc together? _________A: ...musically, I started feeling that seventies thing when I started layering the tracks, and I was listening to Beth Orton, Travis, D'Angelo, Sade, and Bebel Gilberto's Tanto Tiempo while I was putting this together. Also Jaco Pastorius (Joni Mitchell's bass player on my favorite disc Hejira) has an album called Word of Mouth that starts off so painful then releases so beautifully. That was definitely on my mind, too. Also Beck's Mutations. _________Ventura County Reporter: _________Q: You're really known for your live shows. You present such a comfortable vibe with the audience--It's like an instant connection. Beyond that, you're just passionate on stage. How do you get in that zone? _________A: I look at it like a conversation. You're initiating communication with the audience. I think with solo shows the audience and the performer really get to listen to each other and that can help carry a show. I really don't know how to explain it, you just improvise. Sometimes I try to plan it out, I'll have some grand idea or story I want to tell, but mainly it's a conversation and you can never plan how they're going to go. As for passion, I just love it. It's the greatest job in the world and I guess that can come across as passion. _________*5 independently released CDs (Domestic and International) _________*4 National Solo US Tours, Gigs in Germany & UK _________*more than 234,000 plays on MP3.com

Group Members Jason Luckett: Guitar, voice, bass, drum machine, percussion, harmonica, keyboards, computer.

Instruments Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals, plus the usual and unusual noises.

Press Reviews **** His beaming smile is the first thing you'll notice, and you'll stay for the delicate tunes this LA-based singer/songwriter provides. A favorite amongst the Leimert Park earth-colors-and-spoken-word set, Jason Luckett is one of the nicest people on stage, a shimmering iridescent beam of sunlight that will compete with you to see who can be more happy to be there. His music -- a "Self contained homemade and organic" folksy rock, -- brings soulful vocals, spirited acoustic guitar and, occasional monologues sure to delight and entertain. Called "a stripped-down Ben Harper" by BAM Magazine and "A refreshing return to pure unadulterated tunage" by industry insider mag HITS, Luckett is a local treasure who's still small-scale enough to be caught for a song. The intimate setting of Genghis Cohen is one of his favorite local haunts, so get there early, get a seat near the front, try the paper-wrapped chicken and get ready to clap your hands and sing along. -- Hannibal Tabu, AOL Digital City April 20, 2002 **** In the spirit of a stripped-down Ben Harper, another passionate guitar-god rises from the steamy armpit of Southern California. …Luckett is a charismatic, romantic poet who wields lyrical dexterity in his heartbreaking yet inspirational narratives. With bohemian simplicity and intimate acoustic resonance, the album highlights include the groovy “Ghia” and the up-tempo “24 Hour Inspiration.” A refreshing return to pure unadulterated tunage!”—HITS Magazine, Alexa Sherman **** Armed with nothing more than a jangly acoustic guitar, a pocketful of melodically rich songs, and a voice that will stop you dead in your tracks, Jason Luckett is a reminder that if you search long enough in Los Angeles, you just might find a hidden treasure now and then. … Luckett’s latest effort, Distil, …is a collection of 19 quietly beautiful, introspective tunes…”—BAM, Pat Lewis **** “…He uses his guitar as an accompaniment to his stellar, expressive voice as well as his intriguing love songs and mesmerizing essays. … He’s a little Sam Cooke, a little Lenny Kravitz, and a little Neil Young. … His friendly demeanor and barefoot appearance draws you into the moment and relaxes your guard. … Jason Luckett is just the breath of fresh air that this jaded town needs”—Music Connection **** “…A tasty brew of pop, soul, and folk that’s both relaxed and infectiously danceable. They keep things interesting by shifting the tempo and instrumentation, and through it all weaves Luckett’s supple, soulful singing.”—Victory Review, Richard Middleton **** “…Along comes a singer/songwriter who really shines. Jason Luckett could be billed as a male Tracy Chapman. His songs cast a jaundiced eye at life, love and social issues. On [Distil]—a 70 minute, 19 song revelation—Luckett tackles his subject matter with aplomb.” New Times (SLO County), Glen Starkey **** ”Luckett is a folksinger who has learned a lot of adjectives to describe all those dysfunctional relationships that are responsible for so many good songs. Bad significant others make for good songs, and Luckett gets emotional for the usual reasons at the right places. He’s got a pleasing voice, and that never hurts.”—LA Times, Bill Locey

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).