New release roster features renowned performing/recording artists
Performing artists take one of two roads when they set out to record an album – publish their own originals or honor the talent of celebrity songwriting artists in tribute. Vastly accomplished local musician Juli Finn achieves the divergence in unison as she debuts her fifth album Tribute, an amalgamation of Bonnie Raitt covers in homage to the celebrity, and one original song penned by Finn, at a pivotal moment in her career. The album premieres on April 12 featuring the talents of husband Jon Finn on guitar and vocals, and regionally renowned performing artists Joe Santerre, bass guitar, Larry Finn, drums and Rich Cesarini, keys.
“I’ve been mindful to record Bonnie’s songs in my own style, taking care not to create a mirror image of her own individual sound,” shares Juli Finn. “The album is a testament to my own music and growth as a musician, as well as succeeding as a woman in the music profession landscape.” “Dig Deep,” the sole original track among the album’s array of covers, originated from Finns’ album research explored in Raitt’s own interview conversations. “I love her humble sense of gratitude in her accomplishments. She’s a powerhouse, yet so grounded as well. I am inspired at all she has achieved and how, at 72, she is still out there touring and making music.”
Juli Finn drew her husband and three peer performing artists into the project, all offering exceptional individual contributions, having enjoyed prior experiences working together as a team. “It’s like a music dream team! There’s not much conversation working with Joe, Larry and Rich, it’s all music making, which I love. They’re always open to suggestion, but most of the time they have this uncanny ability to play everything just right from the start. They make it look easy, I’m just happy I get to participate. You can’t beat a hang with my beautiful wife and my best friends.”
Singer/songwriter Juli Finn and Grammy® nominated performing/recording artist Jon Finn often engage in the music they make uniquely together, a captivating take on jazz, blues, pop and classical, covers and originals, in an organic mix of styles, songs and interpretation. Both performing artists have appeared the world over in such prestigious concert venues as Tanglewood, Carnegie Hall, Seattle’s Sky Church, Portland’s Roseland Theater and many more. The duo also performs as part of other ensembles, including The Jon Finn Group (established in 1988), The Experts (70’s cover band), and sit in with other local artists.
The Finns’ collective passion of creating music draws them and their inspiration closer to one another every day. “Each of us have enjoyed successful performing careers of our own,” shares Juli Finn. “But when we found each other, we quickly understood that the music we create together transcends our solo work tenfold.” Both Finns also serves as music educators. Juli has been teaching guitar, ukulele, voice, and coaching bands since 1997 and currently teaches through her own Juli Finn Academy. She also taches at Berklee College of Music’s Guitar Sessions. She published a two-tutorial video series “Chord of the Week” and “10 Minute Practice”. Jon has been a professor in the guitar department at Berklee College of Music for more than 30 years. He has published five educational books and has a video channel on TrueFire.com.
Though this is their second duo album, their mission continues to be that of their solo careers – to share the music they love to play with folks who love great music. “One most dynamic facet of our relationship is the amazing musical chemistry that transpires when we play together. I feel like she inspires me to play to the best of my ability,” says Jon Finn. The Finns have been married just three years in 2022. “As our relationship has evolved, so has our music. We give our all to the music because it is our everything,” says Juli Finn.
Tribute offers an eclectic mix of Raitt’s cover tracks, including “Give it Up or Let Me Go” (Bonnie Raitt), “Love Me Like a Man” (Chris Smither), “Angel from Montgomery” (John Prine), “Walking Blues” (Robert Johnson) and Juli Finn’s original “Dig Deep”, a songwriter publishing premiere.
Tribute is available on all streaming platforms on April 12. The album is produced by Jon and Juli Finn with Jeff Largent, sound engineer, Dave Shaheen and Charlie Hollis, videographers and cover art by Rachel Turner of Visual Solutions. For more information about The Finns, visit julifinn.com/jon-and-juli-jazzy-bluesy.
About the Performing Artists
Juli Finn – As a songwriter, recording and performing artist, guitarist, recording session guitarist, and a guitar instructor, Juli enjoys a successful career in music. She was a founding member of the instrumental trio Destiny and has played live nationally, opening for artists such as Joe Satriani, Robin Trower, Ronnie James Dio, and Blue Oyster Cult. She released a full-length album with Destiny “(untitled).”, 1995, two EPs “My Universe”, 2011 and “I Believe”, 2012; as well as “Wellspring” 2021. She has won numerous guitar competitions, and at millions of views, is a YouTube sensation. Prior to relocating to Boston, she performed with the Pacific Northwest’s premiere dance band, The Rhythm Nation and the Disco/Funk sensation, DanceMaxx Band. She performs in concert around New England with local 80’s band Fast Times, classic 70’s rock band The Experts, and The Jon Finn Group. She has performed with numerous professional musicals, including Seussical, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Bridges of Madison County, and The Altar Boyz. Juli holds a bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance from Berklee College of Music, graduating Summa Cum Laude, where she currently teaches guitar and is earning her Master of Arts degree in songwriting. To learn more, visit julifinn.com
Jon Finn – A striking guitarist from the age of six, Jon Finn has embraced a lifelong role as professional musician. He has been repeatedly acknowledged within the international community of musicians as a distinct leader of modern rock guitar as a performing artist, composer and educator. Jon has served as a featured member of Berklee College of Music’s guitar faculty since 1988, when he also launched his original ensemble, The Jon Finn Group. With three internationally released albums to date, The Jon Finn Group has accomplished several independent releases and countless worldwide performances. As a writer, Jon long penned a monthly instructional national feature Guitar magazine and has authored several instructional guitar books (Mel Bay Publications), with several more currently in production. As a solo artist, he has toured internationally and performed with some of the world’s premier guitarists as a featured artist, including John Petrucci, Guthrie Govan, Carl Verheyen, Dweezil Zappa, Dave Larue, Andy Timmons, Vinnie Moore, Steve Morse, Tom Scholz, Barry Goudreau, Tom Morello and others. He has also performed with the national touring companies of many contemporary musicals including Rent, Aida, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, High School Musical, Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Copacabana, and more.
Jon frequently performs and records with the Boston Pops Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, including appearances that have featured Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Rockapella, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Natalie Cole, Carly Simon, Bernadette Peters, New York Voices, Demi Lovato among others. In film, his original song “Berlin Wall” is heard in the motion picture documentary “Refusenik”, and on television, Jon’s guitar is heard on the NFL theme song. From his studio work on album collaborations, his recordings have been nominated for two Grammy Awards®. Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in Traditional Performance from Berklee College of Music. To learn more, visit jonfinn.com or TrueFire.com.
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