The Corn-Bred Story

Corn-Bred was formed in 1999 by Howdy Edwards and Jerome Lazore. They recruited John "JB" Buck to play bass guitar, Rick Edwards to play harmonica, and Lenny Printup to play drums practicing on a regular basis in Jerome's basement for a good year before their first gig at Molly's place on Grand Ave in the city of Syracuse, New York. Word got out ... and many gigs followed. Howdy and Rick eventually left the band and were replaced by Larry Sullivan on guitar and Wayne Cook on harmonica. Shortly after that Wayne and Larry were replaced by two seasoned musicians: Curtis Waterman on harmonica, and Morris Tarbell on guitar. Jerome, Lenny, Curtis, and JB are from the Onondaga Nation, and Morris is Mohawk making Corn-Bred Central New York's only all Native American band. "Sweet Curtis Brown" brings his own fan base from the Westcott Jug Suckers, the Jane Zell Band, the Miss E Band, and the Gonstermachers.   Morris brings along his fan base from Morris and the Hepcats, Built for Comfort, and Tom Townsley and the Backsliders. The band's fan base is now beyond the central New York area. The current line up has a groove together as a band. Their popularity and fan base has grown and lead to some great gigs. Corn-Bred has played all of New York's casinos, the President's Inaugural Ball in '05, the National Museum of the American Indian first anniversary celebration, the 100 th anniversary of Harley Davidson, the 100 th anniversary of Ironworkers Local 60, the New York State Blues Festival, the Taste of Syracuse, the Syracuse Sammy's, local bars, as well as private parties. Corn-Bred's sound is toe-tapping danceable.

The band

Jerome Lazore - Rhythm Guitar and lead vocals.   As a teenager, Jerome enjoyed playing guitar.   After not playing for nearly 30 years, his family encouraged him to revisit his favorite hobby once he retired from iron-work.   He formed Corn-Bred in 1999.

Curtis Waterman - Harmonica and vocals.   A Syracuse area music award winner, Curtis is a self-taught harmonica player.   He studied the styles of Sonny Boy Williams II (Rice Miller), James Cotton, Junior Wells, Little Water, Paul Delay and Walter Horton.   He has grown to be one of Syracuse's finest and distinctive harp players.   His style has been described as "other worldly" by Skip Murphy of the Syracuse New Times and as "blazing harmonica" by Ed Ivey of Blues Reviews.   Curtis has played with many of Syracuse's finest musicians which include the Gonstermachers and Westcott Jug Suckers.

Morris Tarbell - Lead Guitar and vocals.   Playing professionally for 20 years, Morris traveled the east coast from Maine to Key West.   Morris shared the stage with Sugar Ray Norcia, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Albert Collins, Lonnie Brooks, Johnny Winter, Ronnie Earl and many others.   Morris currently fronts Morris and the Hepcats.

John "J.B." Buck - Bass Guitar and vocals.   After nearly 30 years of playing everything from country to rock to gospel, J.B.'s heart is in the Blues.   He sat-in with Jimmy Rodgers, James Harmon and Joanne Shenandoah as well as countless other local Blues Bands.

Lenny Printup - Drums.   After growing up listening to his mother's country and his father's Motown, Lenny was motivated to purchase his first set of drums right out of High School.   He began playing in a rock-n-roll band almost immediately.  

The rest is history in the making...