CITY PAGES - BEST R&B GROUP: Winner: The New Congress As genres are getting harder and harder to peg, we're left with the question: What are the signs of a great R&B group? Take a cue from the New Congress, who combine mixing and scratching with great bass lines, solid guitar work, and a super-tight percussion section in their blend of jazzy, homegrown R&B, and you've got your answer. They tend to cross over into rock and hip hop from time to time, always showcasing the soulful vocal style of frontman Aaron Cosgrove, in their regular Thursday night gig at Bunker's. In two cities where R&B and funk once reigned, these six incredibly talented musicians bring their A-game every time they step onstage. Rumor has it that this year should bring a new album from this unique group, so don't say you weren't warned. It's time to stand up and shake what your mama gave you with the smooth grooves of the New Congress.
Photobucket

In 2008, the City Pages, Minneapolis, awarded The New Congress with the title: "Best R&B Artist" in the Twin Cities. The New Congress are also the winners of the 2006 Minnesota Music Awards for Best R&B Artist/Group and R&B Album for their release, "Everybody Gets Up." They also earned two Los Angeles Music Awards in 2006 for Neosoul Artist of the Year and R&B Single of the Year for "Make You Move." The group was sponsored by Best Buy and performed at the 16th annual Los Angeles Music Awards in Hollywood, California. TNC has also been voted Best R&B Artist by the readers of the City Pages in 2007. TNC's sophomore album is due to be released in early 2009, and is already creating buzz around Europe and the U.S. Be prepared for new sounds hitting the airwaves, with TNC majorly contributing to bringing the world back to real music by real musicians. A momentous movement is underway!!!

*************
Artists The New Congress have performed with:
Dwele
Prince
Mint Condition
Faith Evans
Pharcyde
Jon B
Morris Hayes
Members of Green Day
Members of The Time
Members of Prince **************
TNC has recorded at:
Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls, MN
The Hit Factory, Miami, FL
Kirv Studios, Burbank, CA
Fuzzy Slippers, St Paul, MN
Xeojax Production Studios, St Paul, MN
*******************
TNC has performed nationally:
Music Box Theater, Hollywood, CA
Harvelle's, Santa Monica, CA
The Temple Bar, Santa Monica, CA
LA Music Awards
Minnesota Music Awards
First Avenue, Minneapolis
The Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN
Wakarusa Music Festival, Lawrence, KS
Bella Soul Music Festival, Geneva, MN
Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
RIBCO
Madison, WI
Rochester, MN
Iowa City
****************
Members of TNC have performed through NACA:
St Cloud State, MN
NDSU
University of Minnesota
Birmingham, AL
UMD
Georgia Southern University
UW-Superior
UW-Madison

Instrumentation
Aaron "Orange" Cosgrove - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Andy Mark - Bass
Russ King - Keyboards & Background Vocals
Barry Alexander - Drums
Manny Fresh - Percussion
DJ Dudley D - Turntables
Stephanie Devine - Background Vocals
A.J. Eskridge - Background Vocals

Discography
Everybody Gets Up!
(winner of Minnesota Music Awards for best R&B band and best R&B recording; L.A. Music Awards for best Neosoul band and best R&B/soul single of the year for "Make You Move"

• M3U
• PLS
• XSPF