Biography

Radio Contact:
Tim Kolleth
radio@allig.com

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GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues and soul band Southern Avenue have signed with legendary blues and roots label Alligator Records. Southern Avenue are known for their positive, message-driven original songs and their melting-pot mix of Memphis blues and soul, fueled by frontwoman Tierinii Jackson's soaring, gospel-inflected vocals and Israel-born Ori Naftaly's mesmerizing guitar work.

The band's as-yet-untitled Alligator Records debut, due in early 2025, was recorded in Memphis at the famous Royal Studios (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Bruno Mars). The album was produced by GRAMMY winner John Burk (Ray Charles, George Benson, Melissa Etheridge) and engineered by GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Boo Mitchell.

Southern Avenue overflows with thick grooves, memorable melodies, positive messages and hair-raising harmonies that would make The Staple Singers proud. The dynamic collective, more a family than a band, showcases the jaw-dropping talents of Memphis born-and-raised sisters -- lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson, drummer/vocalist Tikyra "TK" Jackson and percussionist/violinist/vocalist Ava Jackson -- along with endlessly creative guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly and keyboardist Jeremy Powell. Tierinii's lyrics are defiant and straightforward, her mesmerizing vocals effortlessly moving from an emotional purr to an inspired and powerful roar, while the music explodes into a non-stop, all-inclusive celebration.

Southern Avenue have been turning heads since their 2017 self-titled debut album, for which they received the coveted Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their 2019 release, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. They've been nominated for the Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year in 2021 and 2022 and are currently nominated for this year's award, to be announced in May 2024.

Alligator Records founder and president Bruce Iglauer is elated to have Southern Avenue on the label, saying, "Southern Avenue carry forward the spirit of the glory days of Memphis soul music but bring an exciting contemporary sensibility to the classic sound. Listening to the Jackson sisters sing together is simply soul-stirring, and their original material, sparked by Ori’s lyrical guitar, is exhilarating. I’m so proud to have them as the newest members of the Alligator family."

Tierinii Jackson couldn't agree more. "Joining the Alligator family is like stepping into roots history," she says. "The songs we birthed are steeped in that old-school, raw energy, and it's a thrill to think they'll be hangin' with the legends. It's a dream come true."

Sharing the excitement of the entire band, Naftaly adds, "We are pumped to be part of the Alligator family!"

According to Burk, who originally signed the band in 2016 to the then newly re-formed Stax Records, "I'm thrilled to be working with Southern Avenue again and couldn't be more excited about this new album. They've written some of the best songs of their career in a real storytelling fashion from beginning to end. They've also grown as a band and further defined their unique blend of the great Memphis soul tradition coupled with deep gospel and blues roots."

Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations all across the U.S. and Europe, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. This summer, the band will perform on the main stage of the Chicago Blues Festival before hitting the road with Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp as part of the highly-touted 2024 "Outlaw Music Festival Tour".