With “2unes” as your stage name, and if I were a betting woman, I would put money on the theory that jazz guitarist North Woodall can play his hind parts off. Mmmm, I’m feeling lucky right about now… any takers? On the real tip, my point of view is much more than conjecture. Having sampled the goods, if you will, speculation turns into truth.
Primarily self-taught, it was at the age of eleven that his mom introduced him to the guitar and a love affair with music that has stood the test of time and many challenges was born. In his teens, North studied the playing styles of Ernie Isley, Santana, and Joe Walsh, among others. Hard work, determination, and a natural gift paid off. North began playing R&B, entered several talent shows and, as a result of his burgeoning proficiency with the guitar, he was quickly established with known groups in and around Dayton like The Delvones and Round Trip Ticket.
Mississippi bred and Ohio led, not my words ya’ll, Woodall, followed his internal guide and headed south to Atlanta. There, he continued to hone his skills and his cup over-floweth when opportunities came a-knocking for him to share the stage with his homies, funk masters Lakeside and The Ohio Players, along with Roger Troutman and Zapp, Roy Aires, Millie Jackson, Tom Brown and Will Downing.
And the blessings continued to flow. 2unes has become a staple on the Atlanta music scene appearing in venues from the Ritz Carlton to Wind-Down Wednesdays at Centennial Park, bridging the generation gap with his unique music blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. “I work for the listener and my music is designed for them. It is important to me that I give them what they want.” Woodall went on to say that he defines his musical style as being like a gumbo. “I can’t be put into a box [musically]. I’m not one thing, but many things bringing people together from all sides of the music spectrum.”
Having worked on a variety of projects with local talents like Shorty Red, Roy Rowland and Joseph, 2unes has struck the right chord in a season of his own. In 2005, he released his debut album, Hot & Cool, which captured the essence of musical greats After 7, The Beatles, Mother’s Finest, and the late Luther Vandross in an eclectic mix for groove time alone or to party-hearty. And, in August of 2007, Woodall came straight at you with his sophomore release, Straight @ You. North put new faces on old favorites like Earth Wind and Fire’s Let’s Groove and revealed a piece of himself by contributing five original compositions to this project. Straight @ You has tight arrangements and banging guitar solos with great licks. It doesn’t get any better than that.
And that stage name … “I gave that to myself because I knew so many tunes and never repeated selections during a set.” Hmm, like I said earlier. With a stage name like “2 unes,” whatever the reason, you best believe that the dude can play that there guitar. Bet?
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