JJ Appleton

Infobox Musical artist
Name = JJ Appleton


Img_capt = JJ Appleton in concert
Landscape=Yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jon Jason Appleton
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1976|04|04
Origin = Norwich, Vermont
Instrument = Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Bass guitar, Synclavier
Genre = Rock,
Occupation = Singer-songwriter, Guitarist
Previous_bands = The Grasshoppers
URL = [http://www.jjappleton.com/ www.jjappleton.com]
Notable_instruments = Gibson SG, 1964

JJ Appleton, born Jon Jason Appleton, is an American musician and singer-songwriter based in New York City who has toured throughout the United States extensively in support of his own records and also with other bands including Jamie Cullum, Newton Faulkner, Pete Yorn, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Joan Osborne, Keb Mo, Hootie and the Blowfish. Appleton has been described by the Washington Post as a songwriter with a “pop-rock sound but with considerably more edgy energy, adding figurative lightning to the stormy night.” Previously a member of the popular New York band The Grasshoppers, Appleton released his first solo album "500 Moments" in 2003 which lead to appearances on the NBC television show "Last Call with Carson Daly", a feature on E!'s "Wild On", and a national affiliation with Budweiser's True Music Live program and Gibson Guitars. Appleton released his album "Uphill to Purgatory" in the United States in 2005 which was then re-released in the United Kingdom in 2006 as "Someone Else's Problem" and included three songs from the "500 Moments" EP. Based on the recognition he was receiving in England, Appleton decided to move to London in 2006 where he became a regularly featured performer at popular venues such as Ronnie Scott's, The Borderline, and The Regal Room. In the meantime, the single "Walk Into The Room" and it's accompanying video became a favorite on English radio and MTV Two.

Early life

Appleton was born in Norwich, Vermont, on April 041976, the son of Georganna Towne and Jon H. Appleton, a composer and professor of electro-acoustic music at Dartmouth College. Professor Appleton was also one of the co-inventors of the Synclavier digital music synthesizer and recording system and which JJ would later use as a producer in New York City to record his own and other artist's music. In his capacity as a performer and a teacher, Jon Appleton was able to bring his family with him around the world where they would sometimes live for extended periods of time.w "Wherever the Appletons went, Jon had a musical agenda, which afforded JJ the rare opportunity to immerse himself in the indigenous music of such exotic places as Tonga, Sweden, Israel and Turkey." [cite web|title=Coffee Artists Interview with JJ Appleton|url=http://www.coffeeartists.com/jjappleton|accessdate=2008-05-12] Of his Mother's support for his developing interest in music, JJ has said, "She definitely encouraged my musical pursuits. She would tape record me singing twenty minute songs about Viking battles and spaghetti when I was 6". [cite web|title=URB Radio 1449 Interview with JJ Appleton|url=http://people.bath.ac.uk/su9urb/listen=2008-05-10]

Albums

* "500 Moments" (2003)
* "Uphill To Purgatory" (2005)
* "Someone Else's Problem" (2006)

Early career

While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Appleton met and played in several bands including a stint with the power funk outfit Hamhorta and the band Electric Jellyfish. Appleton's primary instrument was guitar and as a developing guitarist, Appleton was a fan of Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter. During this time, he wrote and recorded a considerable amount of original material reflecting his respect for and developing mastery of the blues guitar and singing styles of these artists. Upon moving to New York City in the early 1990s, Appleton worked at producer Mike Thorne's Synclavier-based recording studio as an engineer and Synclavier programmer where he continued to develop his skills as a producer for such groups as Betty.

Current band lineup

* Brian Delaney - drums
* Tim Lefebvre - bass
* Matt Anthony - guitars,
* Thad DeBrock - guitars and keyboards
* Bob Knight - drums
* Jay Cox - bass
* Dan Minsteris - piano
* Josh Dion - piano

Previous bands

Appleton is one of the founding members of the popular New York based band The Grasshoppers along with Mario Joachim and David Hamburger. The Grasshoppers, who counted among their fans Paul McCartney, Jeff Buckley and the conductor Seijo Ozowa, have been described in reviews as "One of the most influential and melodic rock / pop bands on the New York City Scene in the mid 90's." [cite web|title=CDBaby Review of The Grasshoppers|url=http://cdbaby.com/cd/grasshoppers2]

References

External links

* [http://www.jjappleton.com JJ Appleton Site]
* [http://www.jjappletonuk.com JJ Appleton United Kingdom Site]
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