|
Biography A powerhouse rock quartet from Cleveland, the Sultans of Bing have been creating cosmic grooves together since 1997. With an emphasis on strong songwriting and structured opportunities for improvisation, the Sultans have long striven to bring high energy and positive vibrations to audiences of all stripes. Along the way the band has performed from Colorado to Ontario, headlining theaters and festivals, and supporting national and international acts. The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Tim Askin, the Sultans of Bing have gone through several lineup changes since their inception, before finally settling on the current quartet. At the core with Askin since the beginning has been keyboardist/vocalist Steve Masek, whose incredible sonic palette and songwriting talents bring an irreplaceable asset to the Bing. The group was voted "Best Jam Band," and Masek, "Best Keyboardist," three years consecutively (2000, 2001, and 2002) in the Free Times Music Awards, sponsored by longstanding Northeast Ohio weekly, the Cleveland Free Times. Rounding out the Sultans linup are Bill McComb on bass, and T Lane on drums. Tim Lane, a fixture in the Cleveland music scene, rejoined the Bing in the summer of 2005 after having been the band's drummer a few years earlier. On bass, Bill McComb has been bringing his solid foundation and creative presence to the Sultans of Bing since 2001. The group began touring regionally in 1998, and quickly became a fixture on the Ohio college circuit, performing in Columbus, Athens, Oxford, Kent, Akron, Bowling Green, Oberlin, Yellow Springs, Cincinnati, and all over Cleveland. In short order the Sultans became the de facto house band at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park. On July 23, 1998, the group gave a free concert in Voinovich Park, behind the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, which performance later became their first issued recording. Soon after, on January 29, 1999, the band headlined its first show at the Agora Theater, calling the event "The Concert For Peace." Along the way, the band has opened for a host of national and international acts including Bernie Worrell & The WOO Warriors, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, Buckethead, Derek Trucks Band, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, George Clinton, Merl Saunders & Melvin Seals, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Wookiefoot, the Big Wu, Max Creek, Ekoostik Hookah, Umphrey's McGee, the Original Parliament, the Why Store, Jethro Tull, Santana, the Dead, and even the Sun Ra Arkestra. 2006 sees the band reinvigorated with new material and a greater lust for the road than ever. Don't miss out on a chance to see Sultans of Bing perform live. |
|
§ Friday, Sep. 22nd @Sachsenheim Hall |
