2KX is the permanent band formed from the 2009 international prog endeavor, “Lisa LaRue Project 2K9.” The band is headed by keyboardist Lisa LaRue, who has released four solo albums previous to the LLP2K9 “World Class,” and is twice Oklahoma Music Awards’ “Native American Artist of the Year.” She has also been nominated for several Native American Music Awards in addition to a Hollywood Music Award. 2KX was nominated as “Best Instrumental Band” in the 2011 Los Angeles Music Awards.
Steve Adams, of the prog duo “ARZ” adds guitars and bass to the mix. Having studies classical and jazz guitar, Adams has released four albums under the ARZ name, and has worked with Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer Batten. He was a participant and co-writer on LLP2K9.
Merrill Hale, the other half of ARZ, joins the lineup on drums. Hale has written several of the tunes he has collaborated with LaRue on as drum pieces before the band has added their respective parts. He also appeared with LLP2K9.
On Fast and Blue, 2 special guests joined the group and recently have become full members of the band. They are Don Schiff and Mike Alvarez.
Adding the gleaming touch to the band, celloist Mike Alvarez who is a sought-after performer onstage and in the studio. Notable collaborations have been with Erik Norlander & Lana Lane, Don Schiff, Bridget Brigitte, Nima & Merge, Michele Shipp, Rustik Ballyd and Deal By Dusk. He is also a member of the occasional ensemble, Men Of Rock.
Don Schiff has worked with some of the best – including Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Sammy Davis, Arjen Lucassen among many others. Don is also a member of “Rocket Scientists.” He is internationally known for his expertise with the NS/Chapman stick.
Several guest artists appear on the 2KX album Fast and Blue, including John Payne (Asia Featuring John Payne), Michael Sadler (Saga), Mitch Perry (Edgar Winter Group, MSG, Cher and more), Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard and GPS) and Maxi Nil (Visions of Atlantis).
Also recently added as a full-member is horn/woodwind extraordinaire Dave Schiff, who has played on 2 EP’s with the band since joining, the benefit “Beautiful Life,” and the memorial tune “Lemniscate,” for the children who died on the Russian pleasure boat the “Bulgaria.”
Links:
http://www.lisalaruemusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/lisalarue2kx
http://www.reverbnation.com/lisalarue
http://www.nightmarerecords.com/online-store/lisa-larue-s-2kx-fast-and-blue