Fuzzy Rankins

Grammy Award Winner LENNY “FUZZY” RANKINS Blues and Jazz Artist Lenny Rankins (“Fuzzy”) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, performing with such artists as the Gospel Ambassadors and the Shield Brothers. Moving to York, Pennsylvania, he played gospel and toured with gospel artists Shirley Caesar, Al Green, Five Blind Boys, Mighty Clouds of Jo...

Grammy Award Winner LENNY “FUZZY” RANKINS Blues and Jazz Artist Lenny Rankins (“Fuzzy”) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, performing with such artists as the Gospel Ambassadors and the Shield Brothers. Moving to York, Pennsylvania, he played gospel and toured with gospel artists Shirley Caesar, Al Green, Five Blind Boys, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gospel Keynotes, and James Cleveland. At 19, Fuzzy formed God’s Angels, and continued to perform on the East Coast. He later organized the 14 Karat Band, an R&B group that toured with and/or opened for Tone Tone, Basic Black, Patty Labelle, and Gerald Levert, and many others. In 1990, Fuzzy relocated to California where he performed with blues and jazz artist legend Fro Brigham (formerly associated with Louis Armstrong). Discovering the diversity of the blues, Fuzzy formed Fuzzy and the Bluesmen in 1992. In 1993, his first blues CD, Not Gonna Work This Time, won the “Best Blues” music award and, that same year. Fuzzy received the Jim Croce Blues Award. Fuzzy has performed at multiple festivals and TV shows, including the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and has opened for blues legends B.B. King, Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, as well as Bobby Womack, Zapp and Rogers, and many others. Fuzzy’s second CD, Good Lovin’, was later released and nominated in the “Best Blues” category. His newest blues album, Take A Brotha Home, will be released soon. In 1999, Fuzzy was the lead guitarist in the musical production of It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, written and produced by actor/vocalist Ron Taylor. The show opened in San Diego and was a major success. The cast ultimately performed on Broadway and to audiences across the U.S. and in Europe, ultimately being nominated for and receiving an Emmy. Fuzzy went on tour and, in 2001, released his first jazz production, Stirring Up The Mix, which that same year was nominated in the “Best Jazz Album” category. At that time, he launched MoonCook Productions, producing for many artists, including Ike Turner. Fuzzy was featured on Ike’s blues album Risin With The Blues, playing lead guitar on the track named “Jazzy Fuzzy.” The album was nominated and won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues. Lenny Rankins (“Fuzzy”) has a dynamic stage presence that captures audiences of all ages. Fuzzy’s musical talent has gained him the recognition and respect of fellow musicians as well as his fans. His music has received both national and international airplay. A true performer, Fuzzy’s style incorporates his gospel, R&B, blues and jazz background and guarantees audiences a night of professional entertainment. For Booking Information, contact: MoonCook Productions Cheryl Peters, Manager/Artist Development 619.221.2922 or 619.917.5227 Email: mooncook@cox.net