SUPREME COURT was formed in 1992 at the legendary Court Tavern, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ron Howden says, "The name SUPREME COURT evolved with us. We formed the band in a hip musicians' club named the Court Tavern, but it's not all about that. SUPREME COURT suggests a higher power. It's a constant reminder that although it's important for us to be true to ourselves, it's equally important for us to be true to the music and all of the greats that came before us -- Diz, Coltrane, and the like. They set a standard that we strive to uphold. After all, this is the ultimate court." The band members demonstrate this philosophy each and every time that
When stars collide they form what is known as a supernova. SUPREME COURT is a supernova! A collecttive of Central Jersey-based musicians, each a star in his and her own right, combine their talents to radiate blues, funk, fun, and frolic to the Nth power. A SUPREME COURT date is not so much a gig as it is an unscripted, bubbling cauldron waiting to explode with creativity, special guests, humor, and superb musicianship. All selections are seamless, although they are improvised and arranged on stage. The band's sound is always fresh and serendipitous. Blues artists like Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Sonny Rhodes, Ann Rabson (Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women), Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Bobby Radcliff, and commercial artists such as Glen Burtnik (Styx), the Spin Doctors, Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkadelic), Vinnie “Mad Dog” Lopez (E Street Band), and Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Band) have dropped in to play with Supreme Court.
All of the musicians in SUPREME COURT are veterans of the East Coast jazz, blues, and rock scenes. Band leader "Big Nancy" Swarbrick is known as a prime mover in the tri-state area blues scene.. She is currrently performing with Texas Lap Steel Legend Sonny Rhodes on his East Coast tours. Former Albert Collins guitarist Debbie Davies writes, "(Nancy is) one of the rare breed of really good female harp players. She has toured in the past with lots of big names, and garnered a lot of respect. There's no fluff; this is a real deep blues harp player."
Nancy has appeared on stage with the legendary blues forefathers Willie Dixon, Sammy Price, Honeyboy Edwards, Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Hubert Sumlin, and with more contemporary blues artists such as James Cotton, Ronnie Earl, and Taj Mahal. But blues is not all that Big Nancy plays: she has been seen wailing back to back with E Street band member Clarence Clemons and has sat in with the Spin Doctors, Warren Haynes (Government Mule), Stanley Jordan, Levon Helm (The Band), Jimmy Vivino (Max Weinberg Seven), Southside Johnny, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bernie Worrell, and David Johansen (Buster Poindexter, New York Dolls).
Raised in Sheffield, England, drummer RON HOWDEN is the consummate professional and has played all over the world. Working his way up from skiffle bands in Sheffield, Ron backed the likes of The Everly Brothers, The Ink Spots, and The Platters before joining the British progressive rock band Nektar. Nektar was the first band signed to Frank Zappa's Bizarre record label. They scored platinum albums in the eighties and have enjoyed a 30-year cult following.
Nektar is currently enjoying a resurgence . The band has successfully toured abroad for the last three years. Ron has played with Papa John Creach, Rick Danko, Johnny Winter, Vangelis, Roscoe Gordon, and Joe Cocker. But the most impressive feather in his cap is the sit in date he did with Jimi Hendrix!!i
SUPREME COURT bassist Dave Carta is no stranger to the club scene. Dave has been playing out since 1982 with pop/rock band Green Marie,, Sa Ron Crenshaw, jam/rock project Flint Michigan, The Parrot Heads, and funk band Yooj. Bernie Brausewetter recruited Dave to play in his blues/rock power trio, BB and the Stingers before he passed away in 2007.
Dave's work ethic makes him a key component in this improvisational ensemble. Through the years Dave has in many ways become the unofficial musical director of Supreme Court... but don't tell him that!!!
Not so long ago, Dave sat in with jazz legend Stanley Jordan.
Sadly, we lost our friend - the legendary guitarist, Bernie Brausewetter, in April of 2007. His genius and warmth will be forever missed....
A regular in the NYC blues scene, Jr Mack is seen solo, duo and leading his own band. He is a touring member of Jaimoe's Jasssz Band and frequently sits in with the Allman Brothers Band when they are in town. Anyone who knows Jr knows that his signature is smooth ... in his lifestyle and in is his guitar and vocal styles.
In addition to playing with the Allman Brothers, Jr has been seen with Bernie Worrell, Sonny Rhodes, Warren Haynes, Christine Olhman and a host of other blues perforners.
Jr Mack stepped in to help out when Bernie became ill... he is just that kind of player and that kind of guy. We are happy that he has stayed on with the band. He currently alternates frontman duties with Irving Louis Latin in the current lineup of SUPREME COURT!
Irving Louis Latin started playing music at the age of 13. He too, is a staple of the NYC blues and R&B scene. He has played with some of the best in the business including Jr. Walker and Otis Rush.
Irving leads his own band in New York City and can be seen as a solo act as well. He is a prolific writer of blues and R&B songs. That said, he is well known among musicians for his vast repertoire of cover tunes.
SUPREME COURT is fortunate to have had a host of very talented sax players sit on the jury over the years.... among these are Dave Homan, Frank Slingerland, Anibal Rojas and Jerry Roth. Our current roster features one of the best! Angelo Di Braccio has credentials from the Jazz school of music and yet his real life compassion and giving nature allow his pure soul to come through.... a dream to play with and a blues man after all!
