Who are Alias Smith & Jones
Sal Carolei has played with the late Floyd Lee, (aka Ted Williams) , Tony Bellantoni & the Swag Hooks, The Travis Miller Band and Gabrielle Aparicio in New York and in Florida. Sal can be heard on recordings for producer Cass Dillon. Sal has shared the stage with C.J. Chenier and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith as well as jamming with Eddie Cotton, Jr. at the 2018 Chicago Blues Festival. Sal also was a composer/musician with Renee ́ & The Derelicts, a grassroots, blues/rock band.
Renee ́ Flemings started out singing at open mics at the Village Gate, Cornelia Street Café and Rose’s Turn. Renee ́ also performed in cabaret clubs throughout NYC including The Duplex, 55 Grove St. Renee’ has had the pleasure of singing with Delta Steel, The Floyd Lee Blues Band, Slam Allen & The Harlem Blues Project. She has been a vocalist and songwriter for Renee ́& The Derelicts.
Sal and Renee ́ recorded three CDs comprised of original and cover songs as Renee ́ & The Derelicts, receiving airplay in Italy, France and across the United States. They have performed at City Winery,The Blue Note, The Iridium, Terra Blues, P&G Bar, 78 Below, Dinosaur Bar B- Que, Harlem Tavern, Sidewalk Café, Pianos, Metropolitan Room and Kenny’s Castaways. They were featured on the Joey Reynolds show and as part of Battle of the Bands, NYC. As Alias Smith & Jones they have played at The Shrine and as guest artists at C-Boys Heart and Soul (Austin, TX w/Paul Ocher), B.B. Kings (New York and New Orleans), The Iridium, Winston’s (NJ),
and The Red Lion. We hope you enjoy our latest CD, Hit & Run, featuring the amazing talents of the Button Men.
The Button Men - Featuring: Jerry Dugger, Michael Hill, Paul Bauman, Jack Morer, Barry Harrison, Doc French, Michael Fox, Marc Lindahl, Will Saint , David Wasserman & Brent McLachlan.
THE BUTTON MEN
These are the amazing musicians that we had the honor and pleasure of working with on this cd, “Hit & Run.”
Photos by Ismael Fernandez, Studio photos by Salvatore Carolei
Jerry Dugger (Bass, except on Going Down To The River and Hit & Run) was born in The Bronx and raised in Harlem. He caught the music bug early in life, listening to his parents Ida and Alfonza sing around the house, and singing with them in church. Jerry found himself being introduced to the New York City Blues scene and Dan Lynch Blues Bar. He spent thirteen years studying the blues there, watching and performing with The Holmes Brothers and eventually hosting the Saturday and Sunday afternoon jam sessions. These days Jerry's work is focused in the New York area and Europe, He works regularly at The Red Lion, Terra Blues, The Iridium, and Ginny’s Supper Club. His bands, The Harlem Blues Project, and The Rusty Rainbow are great vehicles for his voice and eclectic musical tastes.
Jack Morer (Guitar: Look What Love Has Done, Bad, Bad Whiskey, Maybe Your Baby, You Ain’t The One, Hit & Run) is a New York City based guitarist and composer. He is a founding member and primary songwriter Epic/Sony recording artists Tall Stories. He has released 2 full length CDs and had extensive tours of North America and Western Europe. Jack has performed in the orchestras of over 25 original Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, most recently in the 60s musical revue "Trip Of Love" at Stage 42 inNYC. He’s performed in numerous national and international theater tours. He is the composer and accompanist for Contemporary Ballet and Modern/Contemporary dance. He released 2 full length CDs of original music for Concert Dance featuring the Baritone Guitar with Looping Pedal. He is currently on staff at Marymount Manhattan College and The Alvin Ailey School. Jack has performed in orchestras and ensembles at venues such as the Williamstown Theater Festival, the Spoletto Festival USA, and Mass MOCA as well as composing themes for and playing the music on dozens of television shows and nationally televised commercials. He is continually performing in and around NYC area as a bandleader and composer with instrumental ensemble Clancy Bone and as a freelance sideman.
David 'Doc’ French (Guitar: Going Down To The River) is a long-time member of the
New York blues scene, 'Doc has played locally in the tri-state area for the past forty- five
years. His commitment is to not just keep the blues alive but thriving.
Paul Bauman (Guitar: Long Time Child, Hot Box Boogie, Gone, Bad, Bad Whiskey) plays guitar,
some bass and a little drums and has been blessed to have played with some wonderful
people over the years. He considers it an honor and great pleasure to be a member of
The Button Men!
Barry (Baron of the Blues) Harrison (Drums: Long Time Child, Hot Box Boogie, Gone) spent six years with Shemekia Copeland touring at myriad domestic and international tours. Before that he had a several years long tenure with her father, the legendary Johnny Copeland, until his death. Barry's playing personifies the quintessential blues-based drummer: a deep pocket, tight groove and supportive agility. It is no secret that Barry is the undisputed king of blues drummers in NYC. Thus, his name “The Baron of the Blues” as musicians often introduce him at a stage is a perfect coincidence with his true name - Baron. Currently Barry is the house drummer at the famed Manhattan blues venue, Terra Blues, working with the five times WC Handy Award and Grammy Award nominee Michael Powers, as well as with the blues staplemusicians on the NYC blues scene, Jerry Dugger, Saron Cranshaw, Clarence Spady,and Bobby Radcliff, Steve Guyger, among many others.
Michael Fox! (Drums/Percussion: Look What Love Has Done, Bad, Bad Whiskey, Maybe Your Baby, You Ain’t The One) Education: Graduate of the High School of Performing Arts Class of 1976; Manhattan School of Music as a Mallet Major with Jim Price 1980. Michael has performed with Etta James, Bobby Martin’s hit Record (For TheLove Of Him) Jay Siegel and the Tokens, the Classics, the Devotions, Yankee Great Bernie Williams, French Rock Star Manu Lanvin, Blues greats Robert Ross Band and the Legendary Michael Powers. Soon to be inducted in the NYC Blues Hall of Fame for his work with many Blues Hall of Famers. Recordings Floyd Lee, Amolgla Label,
Soundtrack for the Film playing for Change Sony Record Label and DVD. Concert venues in NYC I have performed in Town Hall, Lincoln Center. Teaching experience 30 Years.
Michael Hill- (Guitar: Long Time Child, Hot Box Boogie, Gone, Bad, Bad Whiskey) is a Bronx-raised guitarist, singer, and songwriter who took his earliest inspiration from the sounds of Jimi Hendrix. His other songwriting influences include socially conscious artists like Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, and Curtis Mayfield.
Marc Lindahl (Piano: Long Time Child, Hot Box Boogie, Gone )
David J. Wasserman (Bass: Hit & Run) loves good people, good food and good grooves. It is an honor to be a Button MAN!
Will Saint (Drums: Hit & Run) has played around the world with many different artists and I’m thrilled to be a Button Man.
Brent McLachlan (Percussion: Going Down To The River, You Ain't The One) is from New Zealand and has been recording music since 1980. Recording bands in his studio there until moving to NYC in 1991 where he toured and recorded with his band Bailter Space on Matador records. He opened 30 Below Recording Studio on 30th St. in Manhattan in 2006. Since then he has worked with some of NYC’s top musicians, creating a relaxed stress-
free recording environment.