Brew a cup of coffee, listen and support!

Maryann Sullivan-
Although she played in the school band and heard the recordings of Louis Armstrong, the Dukes of Dixieland and Frank Sinatra throughout her childhood, Maryann Sullivan initially wanted to be a veterinarian. But the prospects of a lot of math courses "scared me away," and soon she was on a somewhat jagged path toward a career in music and radio. Maryann has worked various radio formats over 20+ years but has spent the majority of her on-air career in jazz broadcasting. Jazz is the style of music she naturally gravitates towards with a love of swing music and the Great American Songbook in particular. Along with radio, Maryann stays busy as both a commercial voice talent and singer, leading her band Maryann and the Money Makers. She has done thousands of voice-over engagements including industrial show narration, audio books, telephone systems, and countless advertisements. She is married to Twin Cities Jazz musician Doug Haining of the Twin Cities Seven, the Haining/Agster Explosion Big Band, and the Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra, and has 2 talented sons pursuing music careers.

​
In 2019, when young jazz musicians are both better-trained and more open-minded than they’ve ever been, plenty of small groups are doing inspired work by melding disparate influences. But Magnificent Madness, the new Ropeadope Sur release from the Adam Meckler Orchestra, is something different, something greater: a thrillingly contemporary update of the jazz big band that both embodies Meckler’s musical generation and showcases his singular vision (not to mention his masterfully expressive trumpet playing). Fun yet moving, hard-grooving yet also poignant, Magnificent Madness highlights the working musicians on the thriving Twin Cities scene while featuring special guests like the multi-instrumentalist and singer/emcee Harjinder; J.D. Steele, part of the Minnesota-based royal vocal family the Steeles; the emcee and Berklee educator Toki Wright; the nonpareil trumpet soloist Rex Richardson; and Cameron Kinghorn, the lead vocalist in the rising neo-soul band Nooky Jones, which he cofounded with Meckler and drummer Reid Kennedy. In the end, Meckler’s concept invites new listeners into the big-band tradition as he redefines that legacy on his own terms. A trumpet player, composer, and educator living in Upper Peninsula Michigan where he is the Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan Technological University, Meckler is an Edwards Instrument Co. Performing Artist and Clinician. He leads The Adam Meckler Orchestra (AMO), an 18 piece big band that plays his original compositions. The AMO's debut album 'When the Clouds Look Like This' was listed among 2014's Best Jazz Releases by iTunes. Adam has toured and recorded with The Hornheads (Prince), Youngblood Brass Band, and Nooky Jones, among others. His latest release with The Adam Meckler Orchestra, Magnificent Madness, is available via Ropeadope Records, and on all streaming platforms now.

Dred I Dread

Dred I Dread a proudly present latest album Listen to the Evolution! You can download our latest album and use it for radio promo.
Please download the album for radio play and EPK for additional information.

The album is produced and mixed by the Dred I Dread crew and Triple Ace. The album was recorded at the Inna de Yard Studios, J’Island Studios, Digital B Studios in Jamaica and some work was completed in various studios in Minneapolis, MN. The mastering was completed at the Anchor recording Studios in Jamaica.

In addition to the Dred I Dread crew, the new album features seasoned Jamaican studio and internationally acclaimed guest musicians including Fiona & Geoffrey Forrest, Fiona Robinson Sterling, Nikki Burt on backing vocals,  Earl “Chinna” Smith from Inna De Yard Crew and Courtland White on acoustic guitars on Paradise, Tony Asher Brissett formerly from Black Uhuru, on keyboards, Nambo on horns, Andre and Adam Cole on drums. Dred I Dread added the final touches to the album during the 2015 Coming in from the Cold Tour in Jamaica.
Dred I Dread is a Minneapolis, MN based Reggae Band. The Band was formed in 1998 and chosen as "Best Local Reggae Band" by City Pages Magazine in 1999. The debut CD "Listen to the Revolution" was released in March 1999. The CD was produced by Reggae Keyboardist Tony “Asher” Brisset, one of the founding members of Black Uhuru. During 2000 and 2001, Dred I Dread was named "Best Reggae Band in Minnesota" by the members of the Minnesota Music Academy. Dred I Dread shared stages with Chronixx, The Wailers, Yellowman, Israel Vibration, The Meditations, De La Soul, Jimmy Cliff, Sister Carol, Third World, Wailing Souls and many other international acts.