Rio Nido

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rio Nido


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Origin = Minneapolis, Minnesota
Genre = Vocal jazz music, vocalese
Years_active = 1972–1986, 2007
Label = Red House Records, Shadow Records, ProJazz
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Past_members = Tim Sparks Prudence Johnson Tom Lieberman Roger Hernandez Dave Maslow

Rio Nido was an American jazz vocal group based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Band History

Rio Nido was a jazz vocal trio that began as part of the Minneapolis West Bank music scene in the early 1970’s. The first incarnation of the group consisted of Prudence Johnson on vocals, Tim Sparks on vocals and guitar, and Tom Lieberman on guitar and vocals. [ [http://mattpeiken.com/Journalism/Rock-Jazz/prudencejohnson.htm Matt Peiken journalism website.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.] Rio Nido performed classic jazz and swing of the 1930’s and 40’s at many Minneapolis hot spots such as The Dakota, New Riverside Cafe and Extempore Coffeehouse. Their first recording was "I Like to Riff", released on Shadow Records and featured arrangements of The Boswell Sisters, The Cats and the Fiddle, Stuff Smith, Al Jolson and Nat King Cole. [ [http://www.timsparks.com/recordings/riff.html Tim Sparks website.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.] [ [http://www.acousticguitarworkshop.com/news/agr_archive2.htm Acoustic Guitar Reiview Tim Sparks interview.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.]

When Tom Lieberman left the group in the late 70’s he was replaced by Roger Hernandez on vocals and drums. Dave Maslow joined on bass and vocals. Rio Nido then focused on the vocalese style of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and Eddie Jefferson. They also included Doo-Wop classics in their performances.

In 1983 they released "Hi Fly" on Red House Records and featured Dave Karr on flute and tenor sax and Jimmy Hamilton on piano. Rio Nido’s last recording was "Voicings", recorded for the ProJazz label, one of the first early digital recordings released in CD format.

Johnson later became a semi-regular on A Prairie Home Companion and has a successful solo career. [ [http://minerva.stkate.edu/newsinfo.nsf/b834c7cd44d5c8fd86256f63006a121e/38cc431e0db7e72686256f63006b6fbf?OpenDocument College of St. Catherine Women of Substance series.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.] Sparks continued his successful musical career as a solo guitarist. Lieberman was the guitarist for "A Prairie Home Companion" for 10 years and continues to perform and produce for film and stage shows.

With the re-release on CD of "Hi Fly" and "I Like to Riff" in 2007 by the Japanese label Bittersweet America, Johnson, Sparks and Lieberman performed a number of reunion shows. [ [http://www.sacredheartmusic.org/season.php Sacred Heart Music Center.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.]

Rio Nido was inducted into the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame in April, 2007. [ [http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2007/04/mn_rock_and_country_hall_of_fa.php City Pages.] Accessed on January 30, 2008.]

Discography

*"I Like to Riff" (1978)
*"Hi Fly" (1983)
*"Voicings" (1986)

References

External links

* [http://www.timsparks.com Official Tim Sparks website]
* [http://www.prudencejohnson.com Prudence Johnson website]
* [http://www.liebermania.com Tom Lieberman website]
* [http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2007/04/mn_rock_and_country_hall_of_fa.php City Pages]
* [http://www.acousticguitarworkshop.com/news/agr_archive2.htm Acoustic Guitar Review interview with Tim Sparks]