76 Degrees West

Official Biography courtesy of 76 Degrees West Band

That's the longitude for the East Coast in the Western Hemisphere-precisely, Washington, D.C.

The backup band has played behind numerous national acts such as Sax Man Jimmy Sommers, Grammy Award-Winner Gordon Chambers, Eric Darius, Allyson Williams, and Angela Johnson. The Jazz/Funk band has been lighting up stages across the U.S. since 2001. This band is swiftly evolving into one of the most memorable sounding bands hitting the industry. Now they are set to release their own CD in January 2009.

The Band members include: Leon Rawlings-Band Director, Bassist/Trombonist; Eddie Baccus, Jr.-Saxophonist; Duane Thomas-Drums; Theljon Allen-Trumpet; Vince Evans-Keyboards; Sean Chase-Drums; Alfredo Mojica-Percussions; Stanley Cooper-Guitarist; Gerry Gillespie-Keyboards.

The band has performed at various festivals and clubs around the country with other artists including: 2 Time Grammy Nominee Ledisi, Maysa, Grammy Nominee Victor Duplaix, Lynne Fiddmont, Marcus Johnson, Rahsaan Patterson, Ollie Woodson (of The Temptations), Rick Braun, Michael Langton, and many others.

76 Degrees West Band has just released a remake of the Average White Band's "School Boy Crush." The single is available on CD Baby, ilike, emusic, Amazon, Rhapsody, Itunes, and Face Book. It has that Washington, DC funk flavor that combines old school and new school.