The John Ivey Band
John Ivey
John Ivey was born in the Midwest and has lived in Australia, Hawaii, California and for the last 20 years, in Oregon, rooting deeply in the Pacific North West. This blend of cultures is reflected in the stylistic diversity of the music that he writes. A self-taught guitar and harmonica player, John’s music has great melody hooks with deep, introspective lyrics.
Currently, John is playing through out Southern Oregon with 3-4 performances a week and ahead of target for the goal of 100 shows for 2024. “With an album’s worth of new songs that came out this year, I am looking forward to getting into the studio, but the truth is that the live performances are really helping to refine the new songs.They are still cooking” says John, “but, I hope to be in the studio come January of 2025.” 02.2024 Rogue Valley Times Article on John Ivey
Shade
Drums and Percussion
Shade had to play on a math book for a year before he got his first snare drum (smart mom!). That attention to rudiments, however, likely resulted in his being section leader in high school: marching band, concert band – oh, and jazz band (remember zero period?!). In college Shade played in a ‘dorm band’ called “Stained Glass,” which played one gig. Maybe two. Then life happened.
After retiring early, Shade got back into music, just in time for a little pandemic. It felt like the math book all over again, maybe algebra this time. Now he is committed to making as much good music as he can, and is elated to be supporting John Ivey on his musical journey. Shade seeks to serve the song, and the songwriter, tastefully.
Shade has lived in Southern Oregon, off and on, since 2000. Having lived in major cities – Los Angeles, Milano, San Francisco, Las Vegas – he considers this Valley “the best of all possible worlds.” When not playing music, Shade is beholden to the care and nurture of the abundant plant life at his new home in Talent.
Neil Hooper
Bass
Neil Hooper was born in the UK and was a music photojournalist in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80s, writing about bass equipment, reporting on recording studios all over Europe, hanging with top global acts on tour and leading his own classic rock band. He could tell some stories!
Moving to the US in 1995 he became a fixture in the SF Bay Area scene as an avid blues jammer, all-genres hired gun, and played for 10 years in a popular British Invasion band.
Coming to the Rogue Valley in 2017 he was swiftly welcomed into the local rock and blues scene has worked with several local bands and regularly plays with a wide range of musicians, both formally and informally.
His association with John Ivey opens up a fresh musical opportunities, audiences and venues which have him excited.
The John Ivey Band delivers awesome original and cover songs that connect and make people happy!