Ropeadope Records Releases Benevento / Russo Duo Debut ; Duo Embarks On Nationwide Tour

NEW YORK (www.beneventorussoduo.com) - Two guys, four hands, kaleidoscopically exploding wall of sound. 15 years of history, 200 shows per annum, famous to the underground - they are Marco Benevento and Joe Russo. Well positioned to explode this year with their ropeadope debut � best reason to buy the sun.

Straight outta Brooklyn like a gringo Sly & Robbie (with tortoise-shell rims), our masked crusaders - organist Marco Benevento and drummer Joe Russo - splinter indie rock and jazz with sweepingly efficient arrangements that snap, crackle and pop the fine lines one finds in trying to categorize music.

The two-man Wrecking Crew laid down their Ropeadope debut in Hollywood in August of 2004 with producer and premier alterna-drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.) between left-field collaborations with a range of artists, from hip hop pioneers (Lyrics Born) to jazz passengers (Charlie Hunter, Steven Bernstein) to rock odd balls (Rana, Ween) and jam kings (Mike Gordon, Warren Haynes).

The Duo's Best Reason To Buy The Sun rewards color more than flashiness, by emulating live what Radiohead and Wilco spend small eternities crafting. Their whisker-brush detail to a gargantuan sound, allows freedom for the music that is only getting bigger. So, here they are, the arbiters of forward thinking jazz-rock, the Benevento/Russo Duo, embarking on over 150 shows in 2005 (including South by Southwest, Bonnaroo, & Sasquatch Music Festivals) with plans to conquer the fabulous world of tomorrow.
www.beneventorussoduo.com

Ropeadope Records are distributed exclusively in North America by Rykodisc. Founded in 1999 by Andrew Hurwitz, Ropeadope has solidified its standing among premier small labels while maintaining a dedication of high-quality diversity. Managing to build a rabid and ever-growing fan base around the world with its eclectic roster of left-field jazz, hip hop and funked-up turntablism, the Ropeadope roster currently includes music industry luminaries such as Sex Mob, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tin Hat Trio, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Skerik, John Medeski, Mike Gordon, Ahmir Thompson (aka?uestlove), Antibalas, Charlie Hunter, DJ Logic, and many others. www.ropeadope.com

The Benevento/Russo Duo Coming Soon to a Town Near You

Sat 2.12.05 Newmarket, NH � Stone Church
Thu 2.17.05 Boston, MA � Harper's Ferry
Sat 2.19.05 Albany, NY � Revolution Hall
Thu 2.24.05 Kyoto, JAPAN � Taku Taku
Fri 2.25.05 Osaka, JAPAN � Club Quattro
Sat 2.26.05 Nagoya, JAPAN � Club Quattro
Mon 2.28.05 Tokyo, JAPAN � Club Quattro
Tue 3.1.05 Tokyo, JAPAN � Club Quattro
Tue 3.8.05 Baltimore, MD � The Funk Box
Wed 3.9.05 Charleston, SC � The Music Farm
Thu 3.10.05 Jacksonville, FL � Freebird Live
Fri 3.11.05 Ft. Lauderdale, FL � Culture Room
Sat. 3.12.05 Sunrise, FL � Langerado Music Festival
Mon 3.14.05 Mobile, AL � Mellow Mushroom
Wed 3.16.05 Austin, TX � Blender Bar @ The Ritz (South by Southwest Music Conference)
Mon 3.21.05 Oxford, MS � Proud Larry's
Wed 3.23.05 Nashville, TN � Exit/In
Thu 3.24.05 Louisville, KY � Uncle Pheasant's
Fri 3.25.05 Chicago, IL � Abbey Pub
Tue 3.29.05 Ann Arbor, MI � Blind Pig
Wed 3.30.05 Pittsburgh, PA � Mr. Small's Theatre
Thu 3.31.05 Lancaster, PA � Chameleon Club
Fri 4.1.05 Philadelphia, PA � North Star Bar
Fri 4.29.05 New Orleans, LA � House of Blues Parish Room (Late Night) (not public until 3.1.05)
Sat 4.30.05 New Orleans, LA � TwiRoPa Mills (feat. Mike Gordon) (late night) (not public until 2.15.05)
Sat 5.14.05 San Diego, CA � Pacific Beach Block Party
Sat 5.28.05 George, WA � Sasquatch Music Festival @ the Gorge (w/ Wilco, The Pixies, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Ray LaMontagne, Joanna Newsome and many more)
Fri 6.10.05 Manchester, TN � Bonnaroo Music Festival (feat. Mike Gordon)