Nola Blue Records signs legendary Maria Muldaur and estimable Candice Ivory
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LANCASTER, Pa. - illiNews -- Nola Blue Records proudly announces the signing of two esteemed artists, six-time GRAMMY nominee Maria Muldaur and critically acclaimed vocalist Candice Ivory, with new albums planned for summer release. In addition, Nola Blue recording artist The Alexis P. Suter Band announces their full-length album, Four Wheels Beats Two Heels. The title track teaser was released August 16, 2024 and is available on all digital platforms.

Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1973 mega-hit "Midnight at the Oasis," which received 2 GRAMMY nominations, and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music success, her 62 year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. In Sept. 2019, The Americana Music Association awarded Maria "The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award" for her lifelong work of covering the depth and breadth of American Roots music and for being one of the pioneers who laid the groundwork for what we've come to call 'Americana Music'. She has recorded 43 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Blues, Gospel, R&B, Jug Band, Jazz and Big Band, but has now settled comfortably into her favorite idiom, the Blues. In recent years, often joining forces with some of the top names in the business, Maria has recorded and produced at least a dozen Blues albums, garnering 4 GRAMMY nominations and various Blues awards.

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Candice Ivory, aka the Queen of Avant Soul, is a recipient of the Rising Star award from Blues Blast Magazine and is a guest artist on Antonio Vergara's GRAMMY-nominated album The Fury. Ivory was born near Memphis, TN, to a family steeped in the musical traditions of the Mississippi Delta. Her great-uncle Will Roy Sanders was an internationally recognized blues singer, and family members belonged to prominent gospel groups such as the Salem Harmonizers. Ivory began performing professionally at 14, and has released 3 albums of her original compositions. Her most recent album, When the Levee Breaks, produced by Charlie Hunter, features 12 songs by blues legend Memphis Minnie.

Three-time Blues Music Award nominee Alexis P. Suter owns a voice that ranges from a pained passion to explosive and soul bearing. Elmore Magazine describes it as "a pulsating wave of sound that radiates from the depths of her being." The Alexis P. Suter Band, a powerful and unique five piece ensemble that artfully blends the lines between Blues, Soul and Rock music, burst onto the music scene as regular performers at Levon Helm's legendary Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY. The group has been making music together for nearly two decades.

"As a fellow female blues professional, I am personally very inspired by all three of these artists," shares Sallie Bengtson, Nola Blue Records president. "Perhaps most interesting to me is the shared connections of these women, and how effortlessly this trifecta developed. Muldaur and Ivory have both demonstrated respect for Memphis Minnie via albums released in her honor (First Came Memphis Minnie by Muldaur [Stony Plain, 2012] and When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie by Ivory [Little Village, 2023]). Muldaur and Suter have shared Woodstock and Levon Helm Rambles experiences. Having just celebrated ten years of Nola Blue Records throughout 2024, this opens an exciting new chapter of continued contributions to the blues community."

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The Alexis P. Suter Band will release 4 Wheels Beats 2 Heels, the album, on June 6. Visit alexispsuter.com and follow @alexispsuterband on Facebook for all news and updates.

Maria Muldaur will be releasing a tribute to Victoria Spivey, the legendary Classic Blues queen and record label owner who was her early inspiration and mentor, on July 11. Follow @mariamuldaurmusic on Facebook and visit mariamuldaur.com for details.

Candice Ivory will shine a light on her "Belle of Bentonia" moniker with an album inspired by and featuring Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, master of the hypnotic Bentonia School of blues. Ivory's album will be released on on August 8. To stay informed, visit candiceivory.com and follow @queenofavantsoul.

Publicity by Mark Pucci Media.