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Great Divide (Band) started out as friends jamming in an Ann Arbor basement, has evolved into a band of tight knit musicians, each adding their own unique experiences and influences to create their own brand of down home rock ‘n roll. Stepping out of the basement, Great Divide soon became a fan favorite all over University of Michigan, becoming a mainstay at Ann Arbor’s Blind Pig. Before long, their popularity spread to the east coast, allowing Great Divide to enjoy successful shows at venues such as New York’s Sullivan Hall and Union Hall in Brooklyn, as well as Baltimore’s 8X10 Club. Great Divide recently got packing and made the move to Chicago, playing nights at the Double Door, Kinetic Playground and U.S Beer Co.

The band evolved from Teddy Grossman (Vocals/Guitar) and Joey Gaon (Guitar) originally getting together to play in their dorm room, into a full band featuring Jeff Leibovich (Keys), Josh Teitelbaum (Drums) and Hiro Sato (Bass). Rounding out the band, Great Divide added two horn players, Eric Schindler (Sax) and Jake Kenowitz (Trombone/Trumpet). The addition of the horns allowed Great Divide to craft their unique sound described by Jambase as “tight,” “soulful” and possessing a “sophisticated talent.”

When Great Divide takes the stage, the crowd is treated to music steeped in the traditional roots of blues, country, soul, funk, and good, ol’ fashioned rock ‘n roll. They work to both honor and preserve the elements of rock’s rich history, while exposing a new generation to the experience of their brand of honest, down-home music. The music sounds like it’s been somewhere, and has traveled a great many miles to reach and delight the ears each and every listener.

Most recently, Great Divide won the Last Banjo Standing Competition to earn a slot on the main stage of the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, joining Dr. Dog and Bela Fleck, among others. A four-week promotional campaign, featuring tireless Internet blasts and other promotional avenues, resulted in an outpouring of fan support and the accumulation of thousands of votes for Great Divide. Winning the Last Banjo Standing Competition and taking the stage at the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival provided Great Divide the perfect opportunity to announce to the Chicago area that a new band had arrived in town.

After some heavy touring in the first part of 2008, Great Divide retreated to Roshambo Records Studio in Hazel Park, MI and the legendary White Room Studio in Detroit to record their first album. The self produced album is a collection of songs selected from their already deep repertoire, crafted over the last few years of playing and writing together. The album touches on a variety of the influences that compose Great Divide’s infectious sound and reflects a band standing at the very beginning of the road to a bright musical future. Propelled by the upcoming release of their first polished studio effort Reservoir, Great Divide is looking forward to getting back on the road during the summer of 2010, much to the delight of their ever-growing fan base.