It's a human voice. Former subway musician Lipbone Redding revs up the party and makes lots of sounds with only his lips. He not only imitates a trombone, he is an accomplished soloist, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer. He's the Jazz, Blues, Jam and Soul version of a human beat-box ... Make that a "Human Sweet Box."
Inventive voicestrumentalist and Southern Gentleman, Lipbone Redding, creates original songs that effervesce with New Orleans swing, Memphis grooves and New York City style.
Storyteller, songwriter, guitarist and voice-stramentalist Lipbone Redding, has spent the last 20 years traveling the world collecting and recounting exotic tales through music and performance art.
With humble beginnings as a New York City subway singer, Lipbone now performs in festivals, theaters and concert halls across America and Europe.
What began as an attempt to populate his songs with more soloing, has become a trademark and an innovative instrument all its own. Redding worked the subways of New York City during the late night hours in 1998 through 2001 singing soulful ballads and stomping out echoey grooves. Late one night when a crowd of weary straphangers had gathered on the northbound side of the uptown 6 platform at Spring street, something amazing happened. Always prone to imitating sounds and people, Redding began using his voice as a wordless solo instrument over the funky strumming of his acoustic guitar, a kind of wailing that bounced from wall to wall in the subterranean cavern. He reformed the shape of his lips and by accident the sound resembled a brass instrument. Long slow sliding tones and bright brash explosions of musical joy. The commuters smiled and applauded as the train pulled into the station. Thus was born, "The Lip Trombone."
After Traveling the world for several years, performing with musical artists from many cultures and with extended visits to South America and India, Lipbone came back to New York. He worked tirelessly to advance his performing career by playing in cafe's, bars and restaurants. He recorded and printed his own CD's and sold thousands of copies. Several months later, he had 4 steady shows a week as a solo artist. It was not long after his return that he met bassist Jeff Eyrich at Mike Williams' "Soho Pickin' Party," a monthly packed house-party featuring new and well-known songwriters. The alchemy between Jeff and Lipbone was instantaneous and within weeks, along with drummer George Mel, they had secured steady gigs as a group at Jules Jazz Bistro, one of New York's hottest downtown jazz night-spot. One night Lipbone and his band performed following famed comedian Joan Rivers at The Cutting Room with drummer, Rich Zukor. The combination was an instant success and The LipBone Orchestra was born. The three haven't looked back since.
