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What's in a name? When it comes to Legally Blynd, this band's name tells more than the traditional moniker…it speaks of the group defying enormous odds to remain in existence, a testament in surviving the music industry. Led by world-renowned guitarist and lead singer John "Jubu" Smith, the six-member band's sound has a "Curtis Mayfield meets Dave Matthews Band feel. The band is a gumbo mix of soul, blues, country and gospel. A type of music that is so gripping and passionate, that you simply can't forget it. The band's undeniable talent in both the recording studio and live stage is matched by their relentless dedication to success. Legally Blynd by definition means the experienced group is blind to whatever society says they're supposed to do, that one can't be an artist after reaching a certain age. The band is blind to the notion of "being too old" to still make it in the industry. And so far, they've proven just that. Raised in Oakland, CA, Jubu learned to play the guitar in church every Sunday. He developed into a seasoned musician, songwriter and eventually producer, when he joined Tony Toni Tone's band in 1989 at age 19. He was personally recruited by one of the group's stars Raphael Saadiq, who had also grown up in Oakland. Jubu would write numerous songs during his 10-year "gig" for the popular R&B group, most notably "Gangster Groove" and "Leaving." Legally Blynd was born in 1998 while Jubu was on the "My Love is Your Love" tour with Whitney Houston in Italy. She forever changed his life when she said she thought he was good enough to start a band of his own. Jubu took her praise to heart and the next day, ordered a Roland 1680 hard disc recording machine to capture songs he would write for his own band. Jubu immediately knew which musicians he wanted in his band. Over time, the group formed to include his brother Eric "Pik-funk" Smith on bass, Chris Johnson on drums, Carl Wheeler on the organ/HammondB-3, Errol Cooney on guitar and Ron Smith on percussion. Legally Blynd performed their first gig as a band at a club in Los Angeles in 2001. They spread the word to friends and family, and took the stage in front of about 125 people. Jubu said he would never forget the feeling he had the night of playing his own music that no one had ever heard, and no one left the building until their entire performance was over. He said that experience was "the best feeling ever." From that day on, Legally Blynd knew they could succeed despite their ages and responsibilities of taking care of families of their own. They performed fan favorites such as "Nena," "You" and "Why Break Mine," in venues across California, Oregon, Louisiana, Georgia and Texas. Each of them are stars in their own right: Jubu has written songs for a long list of stars including Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, Kelly Price, and many more. Jubu currently plays with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Eric and Chris play for Rihanna and Errol plays for Stevie Wonder. Legally Blynd has put in the kind of hard work and dedication that can only end in success. With their new single "Let My Guitar Play" (available on iTunes), the sky is the limit for this talented group - one that wants to be known for their tours and live performances. Jubu said he wants the band to achieve "world appreciation and acceptance." More than just a group of seasoned
musicians, Legally Blynd is a family with a close knit bond of trust and
love they share with their fans and supporters. The genuine passion they
have for their music and life message is what connects them to their
audience and will capture hearts and souls around the world.
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