is one of Central New York's most versatile bands!

Backtalk plays a wide range of Motown, Classic 50's & 60's Rock n' Roll,  
Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Swing,
with 4 lead vocalists!!
The perfect choice for your private party, wedding, or club.

Backtalk is :
Jim Lawrence: bass & vocals
Bob Keefe: guitar & vocals
Mark Joyce: drums & vocals
John White : keyboards & vocals

Print out the Backtalk Band flier! (pdf file - click here)

Contact:

Jim Lawrence:  607-255-2932 (M-Thurs. - day)  607-564-7953 (pm)  or Email:  JSL10@cornell.edu
                      135 Brown Rd., Spencer, NY 14883

Bob Keefe:  607-273-6833  or Email: drbob@adminders.com

Mark Joyce:  607-254-6425 (day)  607-844-8833 (pm)  or Email:  mark.joyce@dairyone.com

 Hear the band!
(this is a live recording in a studio - no overdubs - this is what we really sound like!) 
(You must have Real Player to listen - to download it for FREE, click here)
Click on the link below to listen:
Dance Medley (click here)
Email / Call now to get the date you want !

 Song List  

Having a Wedding?? Click here for information!   Photo by shaiphoto.com

Public Gigs:

July 18, 2008 (Fri.):  at Wagner Vineyards, Lodi, NY  8:00-11:00 pm Open to the Public!

July 24, 2008 (Thurs.): at Myers Point, Lansing, NY  6:30-8:30 pm Music in the Park - Open to the Public!

July 25, 2008 (Fri.):  at The Boatyard Grill, Ithaca, NY  5:30-9:00 pm - Open to the Public!

July 31, 2008 (Thurs.): at the Pure Bliss Event Center in Ithaca (Located at the entrance to Cayuga Lake Cruises on Buffalo Street) 7:00-10:00 pm   Don Barber for Senate Party! - Open to the Public! click here for more details

Aug. 15, 2008 (Fri.):  at Wagner Vineyards, Lodi, NY  8:00-11:00 pm Open to the Public!

Aug. 22, 2008 (Fri.): Buttonwood Grove Winery, Romulus, NY 7:00-10:00 pm Open to the Public!

Aug. 23, 2008 (Sat.): at HARBORFEST at Myers Point, Lansing, NY  4:30-5:45 pm   Music in the Park - Open to the Public!

August 29, 2008 (Fri.):  at The Boatyard Grill, Ithaca, NY  5:30-9:00 pm - Open to the Public!

Jim Lawrence has been playing for over 30 years in the Ithaca and upstate New York music scene, playing styles from jazz, folk, Motown, fusion, and pop to new wave, bluegrass and rock n' roll.  Jim also plays many jazz gigs with guitarist Bob Keefe, and for Tom Knight's Blue Moon swing band. In 1984 his band "The Choice" won the BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search.  From 1985 to 1991 Jim was the lead singer in "The Kinetics", and recorded at Electric Wilburland Studios. Jim has been in opening acts for Graham Parker, The Del Fuegos and The Gang of Four.

Robert Kaussner Photography

Bob Keefe: composer and guitar performer, holds a Ph.D. in composition and has over 50 works to his credit, including three works for orchestra, two rock musicals and a string quartet. Bob has been in residency at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Millay Colony for the Arts. A former student of the jazz teacher Jack Petersen, Bob has been active in performing in jazz bands and establishing jazz artist series. He also maintains an active studio of about 40 students in the Ithaca area. He performs regularly with the Backtalk Band and with Jim Lawrence in jazz duo and trio settings.

Mark Joyce: Mark has played in the Ithaca music scene for over 30 years, and played with Jim from 1979-1984 with the band "The Choice", that won the 1984 BBC Great American Rock n' Roll Talent Search. He has also played jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass and many other styles.  He writes and records his own songs, and has a great voice!

John White: John specializes in diversity and is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, classical, and popular music. He has performed with a number of artists such as Paul Hanson, Mike Tomaro, Joe Negri, Wycliffe Gordon, and Roger Humphries. One highlight of his experience includes ongoing duo and small group collaborations with jazz vocalist and free improviser Rhiannon. In the past few years he has been increasingly active as a clinician at workshops devoted to jazz theory and improvisation. John is currently Associate Professor of Music Theory, History, and Composition at Ithaca College and is also the Music Director and Organist for St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ithaca, NY.

  Photo Gallery!

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