Michael Falzarano - Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter

Jimmy Eppard - Guitarist/Background Vocals

Steve Rust - Bass/Background Vocals

Harvey Sorgen - Drums

Aaron Hurwitz - Keyboards/Accordion

The Memphis Pilgrims formed several years ago under the leadership of Michael Falzarano. Within six months of their debut on the club circuit, they were hailed by the press as one of New York’s "best new bands" who are "simply and wonderfully a real rock ‘n’ roll band." Mecca is The Memphis Pilgrims’ current release on Relix Records. Also available is the group’s EP, Bad As I Wanna Be, which was the title song for the ABC-TV "Movie of the Week" based on Dennis Rodman’s best-selling autobiography.

Michael Falzarano, a member of Hot Tuna since 1983 and a prolific songwriter, has contributed many songs to Hot Tuna’s releases, Pair A Dice Found (Epic), Live At Sweetwater (Relix) and its most recent release, And Furthurmore (Arista/Grateful Dead). He also co-produced and wrote several songs for Kaukonen’s solo releases, Land of Heroes (American Heritage) and Christmas (American Heritage), and remastered many of the Hot Tuna recordings on Relix Records. As a member of the Jorma Kaukonen Trio, he is featured prominently on Too Many Years (American Heritage).

Guitarist Jimmy Eppard is a mainstay of the Woodstock, New York music scene, and has performed and recorded with Levon Helm and other members of The Band, New Bohemians, Pete Seeger and Orleans, to name a few. An accomplished lead guitarist, Eppard is also known for his outstanding talents on the lap steel and slide guitar.

Steve Rust comes from a family of performers/musicians and is continuing the legacy. Highlights of his career include appearances with Hubert Laws, Sam and Dave, and the great sax player Nick Brignola. An active composer, Rust has had many pieces recorded and published, including scores for the theater and solo bass compositions.

Drummer/percussionist/composer Harvey Sorgen has performed and recorded with Hot Tuna, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Frisell, NRBQ, David Torn and Jack DeJohnette, among many others. In addition to Sorgen’s studio work, he has an instructional video entitled "Drumming Made Easy," which is available worldwide on Homespun Tapes Inc. When not touring with Hot Tuna, he leads the jazz ensemble entitled the Harvey Sorgen Trio and performs regularly with other jazz luminaries.

The Memphis Pilgrims’ newest member, Aaron Hurwitz, has recorded and produced several releases for the legendary group, The Band. Hurwitz has also performed with The Black Top Kings and Ronnie Hawkins, as well as numerous others. He also worked extensively with Levon Helm,Garth Hudson and the late Rick Danko.

The foot stompin’, infectious American roots rock music of The Memphis Pilgrims permeates its songs. The Sun Session rockabilly influences of "I Want You Back" or "Saturday Night," the inspiration of Jerry Lee Lewis in "I Was The One" and the Stax Volt flavor of "Everything Changes" and "You Haunt My Soul" are evident on Mecca. Joining The Memphis Pilgrims on several cuts is the legendary guitarist and Hot Tuna bandmate, Jorma Kaukonen. The Falzarano-penned songs "It’s Just My Way," "Kept On Keepin’ On" and "Judge I’m Not Sorry," which also appears on Kaukonen’s solo release Land of Heroes, have also been performed regularly by Hot Tuna in the past few years. Mecca also features performances by two well-known keyboard players, Hot Tuna’s Pete Sears and the Warren Haynes Band’s Danny Lewis.

In the past, Falzarano, Rust and Sorgen, together with Kaukonen, also collaborated and recorded with Paul Simon on material for his play, Cape Man. Moreover, Falzarano and Sorgen, along with their fellow Hot Tuna bandmates, performed before millions of people at the past three annual Furthur Furthur Festival . Other featured acts included Bob Weir’s Ratdog, Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box,, The Black Crowes, Bruce Hornsby, Los Lobos, Rusted Root, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Arlo Guthrie.

Contact The Memphis Pilgrims by E-mail at pilgrims96@aol.com.