Tribute
O N L Y T H E B E S T : Songwriter Juli Finn Honors Music Legend in Cover Album Debut
Bonnie Raitt cover album features quintet of accomplished performing/recording artists
BOSTON and WHITMAN, MA Issued February 22, 2022 ... Performing artists take one of two roads when they set out to record an album – publish their own originals, or honor the talent of celebrity songwriting artists in tribute. Vastly accomplished local artist Juli Finn achieves the divergence in unison as she debuts her fifth album Tribute, an amalgamation of Bonnie Raitt covers plus one original in tribute to the celebrity, penned by Finn, in a pivotal moment in her career. The recording premieres on APRIL, 12, 2022, and features husband Jon Finn, on guitar and vocals, as well as regionally renowned performing artists Joe Santerre, bass guitar, Larry Finn, drums, Rich Cesarini, keys.
“I’ve been mindful to record Bonnie’s songs in my own style, taking care not to create a mirror image of her own individual sound,” shares Juli Finn. “The album is a testament to my own music and growth as a musician, as well as succeeding as a woman in the music profession landscape.” “Dig Deep” the sole original track among the cover songs is based on Raitt’s own conversations in interviews that Finn explored during her research for the album. “I love her humble sense of gratitude she has for her accomplishments. She’s a powerhouse, yet so grounded as well. I am inspired at all she has achieved and how, at 72, she is still out there touring and making music.”
Juli Finn invited her husband and the three additional performing artists to join the project based on their exceptional individual contributions, as well as their prior experiences working together as a team. “It’s like a music dream team! What I love about working with Joe, Larry and Rich is that there’s not much conversation. I mean they’re always open to suggestions, but most of the time it’s not needed. They all have this uncanny ability to play the right thing right out of the gate. They make it look easy. I’m just happy I get to participate. It’s a hang with my beautiful wife and my best friends.”
Singer/songwriter Juli Finn and Grammy® nominated performing/recording artist Jon Finn often perform the music they make uniquely together, a captivating take on jazz, blues, pop and classical, covers and originals, in an organic mix of styles, songs and interpretation. Both performing artists have appeared the world over in such prestigious concert venues as Tanglewood, Carnegie Hall, Seattle’s Sky Church, Portland’s Roseland Theater and many more. The duo also performs as part of other ensembles, including The Jon Finn Group (established in 1988), The Experts (70’s cover band), and sit in with other local artists.
The Finns’ collective passion of creating music draws them and their inspiration closer to one another every day. “Each of us have enjoyed successful performing careers of our own,” shares Juli Finn. “But when we found each other, we quickly understood that the music we create together transcends our solo work tenfold.” Both Finns also serves as music educators, Juli has been teaching guitar, ukulele, voice, and coaching bands since 1997 and currently teaches at Shenandoah University. She has taught three years at Berklee College of Music’s Guitar Sessions. She has received accolades for her two tutorial video series “Chord of the Week” and “10 Minute Practice”. Jon has been a professor in the guitar department at Berklee College of Music for more than 30 years. He has published 5 educational books and has a video channel on TrueFire.com.
Though this is their second duo album, married just three years in 2022, their mission continues to be that of their solo careers - to share the music they love to play with folks who love great music. “One most dynamic facet of our relationship is the amazing musical chemistry that transpires when we play together. I feel like she inspires me to play to the best of my ability,” says Jon Finn. “As our relationship has evolved, so has our music. We give our all to the music because it is our everything,” says Juli Finn.
Tribute offers an eclectic mix of Raitt’s cover tracks, including “Give it Up or Let Me Go” (Bonnie Raitt), “Love Me Like a Man” (Chris Smither), “Angel from Montgomery” (John Prine), “Walking Blues” (Robert Johnson) and Juli Finn’s original “Dig Deep”, a songwriter publishing premiere.
Tribute is available on all streaming platforms, April 12, 2022 . The album is produced by Jon and Juli Finn with Jeff Largent, sound engineer, Dave Shaheen and Charlie Hollis, videographers and cover art by Ava and Annabelle Morgan. For more information, visit julifinn.com/jon-and-juli-jazzy-bluesy.
About the Performing Artists
Juli Finn - As a songwriter, recording and performing artist, guitarist, recording session guitarist, and a guitar instructor, Juli was a founding member of the instrumental trio Destiny and has played live nationally, opening for artists such as Joe Satriani, Robin Trower, Ronnie James Dio, and Blue Oyster Cult. She released a full-length album with Destiny “(untitled).”, 1995, two Eps “My Universe” 2011 and “I Believe” 2012, and “Wellspring” 2021. She has won numerous guitar competitions, and at millions of views, is a YouTube sensation. Prior to relocating to Boston, she performed with the Pacific Northwest’s premiere dance band, The Rhythm Nation and the Disco/Funk sensation, DanceMaxx Band. She performs in concert around New England with local 80’s band Fast Times, classic 70’s rock band The Experts, and Jon Finn Group. She has performed with numerous professional musicals, including Seussical, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Bridges of Madison County, and The Altar Boyz. Juli holds a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from Berklee College of Music, graduating Summa Cum Laude and is earning her Master of Arts degree in songwriting. She is Assistant Professor of Songwriting, Guitar, and Recording/Production.
Jon Finn - A striking guitarist since age six, Jon Finn has embraced his lifelong roles as professional musician. He has been repeatedly acknowledged within the international community of musicians as being a distinct leader of modern rock guitar as a performing artist, composer and educator. Jon has served as a featured member of Berklee College of Music’s guitar faculty since 1988, when he also launched his original ensemble, The Jon Finn Group. With three internationally released albums to date, The Jon Finn Group has accomplished several independent releases and countless worldwide performances. As a writer, Jon long penned a monthly instructional national feature Guitar magazine and has authored several instructional guitar books (Mel Bay Publications), with several more currently in production. As a solo artist, he has toured internationally and performed with some of the world’s premier guitarists as a featured artist, including John Petrucci, Guthrie Govan, Carl Verheyen, Dweezil Zappa, Dave Larue, Andy Timmons, Vinnie Moore, Steve Morse, Tom Scholz, Barry Goudreau, Tom Morello and others. He has also performed with the national touring companies of many contemporary musicals including Rent, Aida, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, High School Musical, Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Copacabana, and more.
Jon frequently performs and records with the Boston Pops Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, including appearances that have featured Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Rockapella, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Natalie Cole, Carly Simon, Bernadette Peters, New York Voices, Demi Lovato among others. In film, his original song “Berlin Wall” is heard in the motion picture documentary “Refusenik”, and on television, Jon’s guitar is heard on the NFL theme song. From his studio work on album collaborations, his recordings have been nominated for two Grammy Awards®. Jon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Traditional Performance from Berklee College of Music (1982).