Artist Lisa Coutu Bio: Early on, Lisa played in several New England dance bands going up and down the east coast and overseas. She later toured the states from Maine to Florida singing with her band “StarStruck”. It was at this time that she developed her soulful style, singing songs by Sade, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige. Lisa also at this time began recording her own tracks with partner Jim Wright and selling demos at shows. Lisa then shifted her focus almost solely to recording arranging lyrics she had written during this time, songs about love, life and spirit. She tracked 2 albums with her group “Most People”. Her first record, “Alot of Things”, had Jim Wright producing and playing guitar and keys. Colin Barry played keys and guitar and James Calendrella wailed on the saxophone. More recently, Lisa had a track released on the “Soul Unsigned” label in the United Kingdom, has opened for the Indigo Girls at a concert in Newport and was nominated for “Female Vocalist of the Year” by Motif Magazine in 2010. She was also nominated for “Female Vocalist of the Year” by Limelight Magazine (MA) for 2011. She is currently nominated in the same category by Motif Magazine in RI. Lisa is currently in the studio recording new material written solely on acoustic guitar.
CD: Live and Breathe– Second album, “Live and Breathe” was recorded with the aforementioned members and the addition of Gregory Varatta on drums and Vinnie D’Agostino on bass. The collaboration has a jazz/funk fusion feel complemented by Lisa’s light and soulful R&B style. http://www.lisacouto.com
Artist Ray Cooke Bio: Ray Cooke, a singer/songwriter from Rhode Island, has completed his third album, “Good Life” released on November 13th, 2011. “Good Life” was the winner of Limelight Magazine’s Album of the Year Award for 2011 (MA) and is nominated in the same category by Motif Magazine in RI. Ray was Motif Magazine’s 2009 winner of the “Male Vocalist of the Year” award and has been nominated for the award every year since, including this year. He has played throughout New England at venues like the Vanilla Bean and Victoria Station in CT and at Foster Country Club and the Mill in western RI. In 2011 he played Sunset Music Festival Courtyard stage in Newport opening for the Indigo Girls and the Rock Pine Festival opening for “The Bridge”. Preferring to play his own music, Ray can more easily be found at open mics throughout New England than in late night venues that request covers. His laidback style and deep caramel vocals capture audiences and create devoted fans wherever he goes. Many of his songs tell stories of his struggles with life and love, while others are impressions of a difficult life gone by. Even after recording “Good Life”, much of his material is still unrecorded. He’ll be starting on new studio tracks this winter.
CD: Good Life The record is comprised of all original acoustic music written and performed by Ray at Signature Sounds studio in Pomfret, CT. The CD was co-produced and engineered by Mark Thayer, enhanced only by subtle production elements that complement Ray’s authentic sound. Ray’s adult alternative “coffee house” style has been captured at its peak with songs ranging from the introspective title track “Good Life”, to the driving blues of “Heaven Sent” which features electric guitar and percussion. Ray was joined in the studio by another RI based singer/songwriter, Lisa Couto, who adds soulful vocals that counterpoint his unique solo style. Recorded between January and July of 2011, “Good Life” is proving to be the most profound of Ray’s artistic ventures to date. http://www.myspace.com/raycooke1
