Rare Blend is where rock, jazz, fusion, and world music collide! This statement definitively sums up the instrumental music group, home based in Cleveland Ohio, and now in their 12th year. Theirs is a journey that started during the independent music revolution, and that has no intention of slowing down.

Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles to write unique instrumental arrangements, Rare Blends music appeals to purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original music. They continue to receive favorable press reviews, radio airplay, perform at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs. Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock.

Press Info

"RARE BLEND can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with BRAND X and the best of the progressive/jazz/fusion groups, and "Sessions" is as good as anything recorded by their peers. Highly recommended to aficionados of fusion and improvisational jam bands". (Joseph Shingler - Prognaut.com / Bangor, ME)

"It's so amazing when a group of musicians can compose and / or improvise such a continuance of sounds that flow so fluidly without any difficulty" (Jasper - North Coast Voice Magazine / Mentor, OH)


" I'd highly recommend this to fans of fusion and fusion based prog rock. It's a great set." (Gary Hill - Music Street Journal / Rockford, IL)


This is as tasty as fusion gets - very structured, very "lyrical" for a mostly instrumental work, plus liberal rock moves to give it added weight and kick. "Stops Along The Way" stays on track for a delightful ride. (John Collinge / Progression Magazine - Lowell, MA)

Similar Artists

Jeff Beck, Santana, Tribal Tech, Yes, Joe Satriani, Tangerine Dream, Weather Report, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Phish, etc...

Influences

Jeff Beck, Santana, Tribal Tech, Yes, Genesis, Tangerine Dream, Weather Report, Vital Information,Sting, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, etc...

RB Bio

Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles, Rare Blend continues to receive favorable press reviews, and radio airplay, performing at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs.

Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others...

Started in 1993, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion as a duo. Recorded and produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi Holt, Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues in Ohio.

In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare Blend added additional musical texture to the original concept and took the live performance to a new level.

CD album recordings added to the catalog to date:

1 - CINEFUSION (1995)
2 - INFINITY (2000)
3 - EVOLUTION THEORY (2002)
4 - STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006) Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006.

5 - SESSIONS (2010) With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007.