Back in 1981, Graham Wood Drout had the idea that bringing extremely
diverse musicians together would create something new that was greater
than the sum of its parts. More than 30 years later, his songs, and his
band IKO IKO, show that this formula is extremely effective for his
signature sound as he continues to musically reinvent himself.
Blending Drout's own roots in Texas, Brazil, New Jersey, and Miami, with
those of his band mates create a sound described by The San Diego Tribune
as "an eclectic mix of southern musical traditions" in a backbeat driven
powerhouse blend of Blues, Rock, and Alt Country to create what Drout
describes as "Urban Swamp Blues." A variety of artists cover his songs and
he continues to receive awards including the Blues Critics Choice Award
for Best Song.
IKO IKO has a sound that sets them apart, while feeling familiar. Their
fan base includes 3 generations across 5 CD releases, 3 movie soundtracks,
1 musical, & countless performances with many of the legendary musicians
of nearly every style of music imaginable. This is something special as
IKO IKO continues to make lightning strike more than twice wherever they
perform.
The band, itself, is award-winning and has movie soundtracks to their
credit. "Don't Mess With The Voodoo" appeared, as did the band, in the
Martin Scorsese film, Cape Fear starring Robert DeNiro and the band
performed on the soundtrack for the film, Contact starring Jodie Foster.
Best Blues Band – New Times Magazine (both Miami & Broward/Palm Beach Editions)
Best Blues Band – CityLink Magazine – Staff Favorite
Florida Music Awards – Best Blues Band
Hidden Treasures of The Blues – Blues Revue Magazine
Best Songwriter – Graham Wood Drout – New Times Magazine
Best Blues Artist – Jammy Award
Inductees – The Underground Blues Hall of Fame
Blues Critics Choice Award – Song of the Year
Hidden Treasures of the Blues – Blues Revue Magazine
Florida Music Awards Best Blues Band – Jam Entertainment Magazine
Featured on NPR's Crossroads and Music of the Subtropics syndicated
radio shows
Performed in Jimmy Buffett's musical, "Don't Start the Carnival"
Graham Wood Drout (Guitar, Lead Vocals) is the driving force, principal
songwriter, and front man of the band. He was born in Newark, New Jersey
where, at the age of five, he got a plastic Roy Roger's guitar and a
33-1/3rd LP recording of Western Swing music. All his life he has been
dodging abnormal phenomena: From surviving floods to fires to hurricanes
to lightning strikes and all forms and shapes of experience that would
have caused many to quit in frustration; Drout persevered by turning all
of that into powerful lyrics and driving rhythms for his music.
At the age of eight, Drout's family relocated to Houston, Texas and, after
six painful years, he moved to Miami, Florida for the first time. Two
years after that, his family's cultural aftershocks took him to Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil where Drout farmed his musical diversity even further and,
ultimately, he returned to South Florida. His collaborations continue as
he works with veteran artists and discovers young talent that he helps
cultivate.
John "Good Rockin' Johnny" Wenzel (Lead Guitar) originally hails from
Santa Maria, CA. An incredible showman & gifted guitar player, John was a
member of Fat Chance Blues Band and was the one who first hired Graham
more than 30 years ago. As FCBB evolved into Iko-Iko, his textures and
dynamic musical vocabulary drove both the songs as well as the powerful
live shows. His performance credits include work with Good Rockin' Johnny
& The Wise Guys, Nicole Yarling's Little Nicky & The Slicks, Off The Wall,
Yonge Street Band, Big City Blues Band, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Sam and
Dave, John Lee Hooker, Greg Allman, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughn,
James Cotton, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood, Bobby Blue Bland, Koko Taylor,
Alex Gomez, and many others.
Mitch Mestel (Bass Guitar, Background Vocals) was born in New Jersey,
raised in Florida, lived in Nashville, and all of that provided him with a
wealth of experience as a performer. His work includes performances with
Charlie Pickett, Paul Deacon (The Mavericks), George Terry ((Eric
Clapton), Alto Reed (Bob Seeger's Silver Bullet Band), Nico Wayne
Toussaint, Albert Castiglia, Mary Karlzen, Jolynn Daniel, The Volunteers,
Patxi Pastor, Diane Ward, Alex Gomez, Val C. Wisecracker and The Walkin'
Catfish, Roll The Stones, Jon Paris (Les Paul, Bob Dylan) and Diamond
Teeth Mary with The Beale Street All-Stars. He has performed countless
studio sessions, appears in a variety of music videos for the artists he
has performed with, and even had a cameo in the cult-horror film,
"Lycanthrope." Mitch's playing and singing work is tireless, energetic,
and always entertaining.
Ron Taylor (Keyboards) is a Grammy Award-winning artist who started his
musical career at the age of 16 performing with local bands in Central
Florida, including the Tight Shoes Band fronted by the late, great
bluesman, Big Dave Fiester. He moved to South Florida and began his
professional engineering career with KC (of the Sunshine Band). He
followed that up spending the next several years on tour with The Bellamy
Brothers, also co-writing two Top 5 Country hits with them. Ron has
performed with a huge range of celebrated musicians that includes The
Florida Buttrockers, The Legendary Groove Monsters, Billy Joel, Gloria
Estefan, Shakira, Carlos Vives, Luis Fonsi, David Bisbal, Alto Reed (Bob
Seger Silver Bullet Band), George Terry (Eric Clapton), Steve Thorpe, The
Blues Entourage and many others. Ron has also worked behind the mixing
console with some of music's legends including Frank Sinatra, Phil Ramone,
Gloria Estefan, Donna Summer, 2 Live Crew, Timbaland, P. Diddy, Madonna,
Chris Cornell, Britney Spears and others. His unique combination of old
school and new school styles bring his soulful sound and dynamic flavor to
his powerful performances.
Nicole Yarling (Violin, Background Vocals) was born in New York City to a
musical family that helped to shape her own musical style into a wonderful
hybrid of Jazz, Blues, Soul, Rock, and Americana. As a solo artist, a
featured performer, or as a band-member, her signature sound is her
trademark. Her musical contributions include performances with Art
Blakely, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Terrance Simmien, Jimmy Buffett, and
her band Little Nicky & The Slicks that featured Iko-Iko’s John Wenzel.
The great Joe Williams is credited with discovering her and showcased her
talents on the release, "Joe Williams Presents Nicole Yarling at The
Manchester Craftsman's Guild." Her work also includes being an educator at
Florida Memorial University / University of Miami, as well as other
schools, to help bring musical heritage and culture to students of all
ages. Nicky performed on Iko-Iko's 2002 release, "Shine," and returned to
join the band in 2011.
Daniel East (Drums, Background Vocals) is a product of the famed
Philadelphia High School for The Creative & Performing Arts, as well as
having an extensive background in tour production and professional audio.
His "Philly Sound" approach to performing is one that combines solid
backbeats with a soulful feel and natural groove. Dan has toured,
performed and/or recorded in many styles of musical artists including his
own Daniel East Band, John Mooney, Gerald Levert, Warren Caesar, Christina
Christian (American Idol), Delmar Brown, Patxi Pastor, George Terry (Eric
Clapton), Alto Reed (Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band), Nico Wayne
Toussaint, Alex Gomez, PBS' Blues Slide Guitar Workshop, Albert Castiglia,
Glen Burtnik, JC Faulk, Billy Mann, The Soul Survivors, Eric Bazilian,
Fernest Arceneaux, and many others.