THE RINGERS Announce New Tour Dates

One of the most talented groups of musicians currently playing together - THE RINGERS, featuring Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, Michael Landau, Gary Novak and Etienne Mbappe, are ready to hit the road again, blending their varied backgrounds of Rock, Funk, Jazz, Blues and African styles. After a successful east coast tour in late January, this group of super-talent is announcing a new U.S. tour for May 2014. The Ringers live line-up will once again include drummer, Gary Novak (replacing original drummer Keith Carlock, who recently became a new father and is sticking close to home).

The original concept behind The Ringers was to bring five exceptional guys together, not to just perform as a super-group, but to work "as a unifying artistic force, one where people put music ahead of their egos to collectively create great music." These five veteran musicians will perform together on new Ringers material written exclusively for the band, as well as each individual's solo material. Select cover tunes, chosen by the players, and brand new tunes from each artist will debut for the live audience. The Ringers are also planning to record an album of originals, for release in 2014.

As drummer Gary Novak told the Connecticut Post before a tour stop in February, "You can have all these brilliant musicians, but to make it sound like a group, a unified identity, a long-lasting endeavor, it takes some giving from everybody. And the members of this group are very giving."

Jimmy Herring, as the founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit, Project Z and Jazz is Dead, in addition to playing with everyone from The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead to Phil Lesh and Friends, and Béla Fleck, has made his indelible impact on the music world. He currently serves as the lead guitarist for the very popular American Band, Widespread Panic and released his second solo album, Subject To Change Without Notice, last year.

Wayne Krantz released his tenth album, Howie 61, last year to glowing critical praise. Krantz has played with Randy Brecker, Leni Stern and Steely Dan, among others. Through a succession of highly lauded solo recordings, Krantz has continuously evolved as an artist - pushing himself in new and exciting directions. Revered for his forward-thinking approach to improvisation (brilliantly documented in his 2004 book An Improviser's OS), Krantz has fearlessly branched into new areas, while consistently skirting the edges of jazz, rock and fusion.

Musician and composer, Michael Landau, is a prolific session guitarist and performer who has played on hundreds of records since the 1980s, some session highlights include: Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. He has toured with Robben Ford, the Steve Gadd Band, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and his own project The Michael Landau Group. With many recordings under his name, the latest being 'Organic Instrumentals', his music flows intensely ranging from spooky ballads with beautiful improvisation to intense Rock 'n' Roll with vocals.

Bass player, Etienne Mbappe, is best known for his years with the Zawinul Syndicate. In the 80's he was the masterpiece of the jazz fusion band Ultramarine which incorporated jazz with elements of African and Caribbean influences. He also played with Ray Charles on his last album and is currently a member of John McLaughlin's 4th Dimension.

Gary Novak, an amazing drummer, began his career at the young age of 10, playing in his famous pianist father's (Larry Novak) trio in Chicago. Novak has recorded and/or toured with such musical luminaries as Chick Corea, Alanis Morrisette, Allan Holdsworth, Andrew WK, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, George Benson and Anita Baker along with many more.

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