VAN DAVIS Hosts Album Launch Party Tonight

VAN DAVIS, the NYC based rock-funk group, announces COME WITH ME, available for purchase tonight, June 19. In celebration, the band will host a CD launch event at INC Lounge (224 West 49th Street, 2nd Floor, above Time Hotel) on Thursday, June 19. Doors open at 8PM for cocktails and three 45-minute sets will be performed at 9PM, 10:15PM and 11:30PM. There is no cover for the event and there will be drink specials at the bar.

Three exclusive tracks can be heard exclusively at: http://vandavis.com/come-with-me-samples.

VAN DAVIS is a rock-funk-jazz group that has been performing consistently in NYC for over 10 years. The band's two current releases, Van Davis and Have You Seen This Band? were both met with critical acclaim from jazz and rock worlds. With the addition of soulful vocalist Abena Koomson for their new release Come With Me, the band has taken its sound to an exciting new place, rooted in tasteful melodic songwriting, thoughtful lyrics, along with the adventurous and unpredictable playing that Van Davis fans have come to expect.

Come with Me will be available for download on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby beginning Thursday, June 19. Albums are available for purchase at www.vandavis.com.

ABENA KOOMSON (lead vocals) is a Harlem based performer, educator and writer. She is bandleader and composer for Abena Koomson's Blacksmith Orchestra (AKBO) and the lead vocalist for Afro-beat sensation Zongo Junction, in addition to Van Davis. After an eleven year teaching career, Abena originated the role of Fela Kuti's mother to rave reviews in the Off-Broadway production of Fela!, directed by Bill T. Jones. Abena went on to become a member of the Original Broadway company, where she also served as vocal captain. As part on One Big City, an innovative international program, she collaborated with Croatian visual artist Kristina Leko to create CEZNJA: BORN LONGING tales and songs from Croatia, a multimedia oral history project featuring Croatian natives and New York City artists. Recently, she appeared in Red Hot + Fela! at Lincoln Center with Kronos Quartet, and is featured on the album of the same name. Abena holds a Masters in Education Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently serves as Dean of Students at Harlem Village Academies High School.

JON PRICE (bass, vocals) has become an integral component of numerous jazz, funk, and soul groups, and has added flair to the music of several singer/songwriters since moving to New York in 2001. His approach to grooves and over the top solo ability has allowed him to participate in a variety of settings in NYC. ?Performance with numerous bands and songwriters, studio recordings, off-Broadway theater, club-date bands, education, gospel church?with firm roots in funk and jazz, Jon understood early on the importance of groove and solo ability on the funk, jazz, and jamband scenes. ?For Jon, "Music is about being creative, open-minded, and willing to stretch the boundaries of what is currently embraced in performance today."

PATRICK CARMICHAEL (drums) lives in Brooklyn NY, and makes a living as a professional drummer, utilizing his versatility to expand his career opportunities. He has worked with New York blues artist Michael Powers, performing regularly at famed NYC blues venue Terra Blues, as well as playing on his award winning debut album Onyx Root. Patrick's knowledge of traditional Jazz music has allowed him the opportunity to work with Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, and off and on with Woody Allen's Dixieland Jazz Band for over a decade. Broadway credits include Smokey Joe's Cafe, and The Lion King. Off-Broadway credits include The Big Apple Circus, The Blue Flower, and Shida. Pat's current projects include the South American Andean Music band, Agua Clara, Van Davis, and his own band, Flea Circus, all of which he not only drums, but contributes original compositions for.

JAKE EZRA SCHWARTZ (guitar, vocals) is the guitarist for The Book of Mormon, the 2011 Tony Award and Grammy winning Best Musical on Broadway. Jake has performed with Dave Fiuczynski, Alan Menken, Jarrod Spector, Stephanie J. Block, Laura Bell Bundy, and "Papa" Denny Doherty. Additionally, he originated the guitar/mandolin chair on the 2009 Broadway show 9 to 5, working and recording with Dolly Parton.

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