Ernie Vincent and the Top Notes-
Considered by many to be a funk music pioneer, Ernie Vincent grew up playing guitar in the bayous of Southern Louisiana. From a very young age, his family and his neighbors taught him to play guitar. In the early 1970’s Ernie formed the Top Notes. Soon after the band gained local notoriety playing clubs all over New Orleans including the Mason Strip and backing many of the top Rhythm & Blues acts of the era including Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, and Joe Simon.Since it exploded in 1972, the funk anthem “Dap Walk” has been shaking butts all over the world. Most recently the B side of "Dap Walk", "Things are Better" featured on an Nike Commercial featuring Lebron James and HBO’s hit series “Sex and the City” featured Dap Walk which has become a cult classic from Sweden to Tokyo and DJ’s worldwide are scrambling to find the few remaining copies of the original 45. For many record collectors worldwide, Dap Walk is a most sought after record. Recently, Ernie has reformed his band The Top Notes with some fine young New Orleans talent, Eric Heigle(drums), Josh Reppel(bass), Phillip Breen(Keyboards), and James Martin(sax). Additionally local accomplished trumpet player Shamarr Allen will be joining the horn section when his schedule allows. If you’ve been waiting for some low down funky blues, Ernie’s primed to deliver !
Ernie has also recently completed an Acoustic Delta Blues CD with local bluesman Andrew Duhon(harmonica) entitled “Bayou Road Blues" which will be released 7/2/09! Due to the personal nature of this style of music to Ernie, all of which he dedicates to his late father, Mr. Ernest Duncan Williams, Ernie has held this music close to his heart. With the relaunching of his career, we thought this would be an appropriate way to start over with the deep "roots' blues, which he quietly has been a master of all along.
Jerry Moran,
Friend and Manager
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