Raspin Stuwart

Singer/songwriter/song stylist Raspin Stuwart’s life and career can best be described as a Tale of Two Cities – Chicago and Los Angeles, that is! However, these two cities are just starting points for a performer with truly universal appeal. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Raspin was surrounded by the influences of the blues and jazz music greats of the era. The popularity of the singer-songwriter music genre of the 1970s including one-of-a-kind talents such as Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen and Cat Stevens are also added within his artistic work. The entirety of his adult life in Los Angeles was measured by his professional successes over the decades since arriving in the City of Angels to seek his fame and fortune at the tender age of 17. Like the music heroes who today remain relevant, serious music lovers of all ages relate to Raspin’s performances, his complex, intriguing lyrics, and covers of inspired classics.

Raspin’s emotional vocals and striking lyrics impact brightly on the listener which is a stark contrast to his hypnotic melodic background. As evident on his new CD, his eclectic mix of theatrical, captivating and soulful music provides the perfect follow-up to his critically acclaimed, Starbucks-endorsed CD, We Do What We Do. The tracks on his new release include a reggae version of “Smoke the Hookah,” currently enjoying its fourth consecutive week at #1 on the Indie Music Top 10 charts. Other songs offered for your listening pleasure are the jazzy “New York 2 L.A.”, “Love Along the Way” (a unique pop hybrid rooted in the 1960s), the soulful, down-home warmth blues of “Mama’s Got the Blues”, "King of Foolz" with its hypnotic gypsy vibe and his spin on singer/songwriter Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man” which Raspin truly makes his own.

Smoke the Hookah - We started out so innocently. We learned to take what we need. Forgive us for our greed. Let's smoke the hookah and dance.

Rumblin' & Tumblin' - from the "We Do What We Do" CD. Rough sleazy blues and jazz. First the horns growl then the drums and piano walk you through the beats like a cat strutting its stuff. Catfish are jumpin' It's an impossibility. Somebody's been rumblin and tumblin' in my back seat. You tell me lies, you hold me tight and we go rumblin' and tumblin' through the night.

New York 2 L.A. - Folk with rhythm. Lately my mind has gone wandering and wondering which to go. Some take the high road. some take the low. You'll never know unless you get up and go. Cause it's a long way from New York city to LA.

King of Foolz - Gypsy style with guitar and violin going into flamenco then progressive folk. On and on the story goes.. Hypnotized. The truth lies between the third eye. Look both ways before you cross the street. Petrified. Now who's the king of fools.

Mamas Got The Blues - Slow moving blues story style. Some will tell you stories and some will tell you lies. When Mamas got the blues in the middle of the night and something's gotta give.

Hurdy Gurdy Man - Raspin's own unique take on an old classic by Donovan. Thrown like a star in my vast sleep I opened my eyes to take a peek. To find that I was by the sea gazing with tranquility .....

Keeping Raspin in demand long after establishing himself in the music world remains the newest and freshest “veteran” musician, singer, songwriter and song stylist working today. His appearances at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) in recent years, as well as his inclusion in the stellar lineup for Southern California’s Make Music Pasadena concert at Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, underscore his continued relevance in these unpredictable times. His large fan base make most of his personal appearances standing room-only events at clubs and music festivals up and down the West Coast, including San Diego’s Adams Street Music festival on the Starbucks stage and the Blues Stage of the San Mateo Music festival.

Folk, blues, jazz, alternative and adult contemporary. Intelligent lyricism. Reflecting diversity. Lustful, political and often daring. To find out more about Raspin go to:

http://www.raspin.com/

Denise L. @DL7855 2017