
LAYONNE HOLMES
VOCALIST
BANDS & PROJECTS:
Motor City Revue * The New Standard
Jon Bon Jovi & the Kings of Suburbia
Matt O'Ree Band
Tim McLoone & The Shirleys * Holiday Express
Gonzo's Funky Family
About Me.
Layonne Holmes is a singer with a rich alto voice and a repertoire that includes funk, soul, jazz, blues and rock & roll. Layonne has stage and studio experience, and continues to broaden her horizons by performing with world-class musicians and adding songwriting to her credentials. This is her story.
Early Inspirations
Ask Layonne Holmes why she became a singer and she'll tell you it's in her DNA. Her mother, Delores, was an accomplished performer with a long list of credentials, including having been a backing singer with The Bruce Springsteen Band.

As a child, Layonne was surrounded by music. Although she received her musical foundation in gospel, she was enthralled by the Jacksons, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, among others. As a teenager, she discovered The Police, which prompted her to explore the sounds of rock and other musical genres. However, it wasn't until she was about 18 that she had an "aha" moment, when she heard famed alto singer, Sarah Vaughan, interpret music in ways Layonne had never before imagined. It was then that Layonne realized that there was a place for alto singers. From that moment, there was never a doubt in Layonne's mind that she would pursue music.
A studio session that started it all
When she was 22, Layonne got her first check for session work for E Street Band member, Danny Federici. Her mom told her, "You're a professional now." More session work followed over the years, with Layonne laying tracks for Fernando Saunders of Lou Reed Band, Vini Lopez of Steel Mill, Bill Chinnock, Steve Delopoulos and John DeGrazio of Burlap to Cashmere, Matt O'Ree, and many others.
Thriving in the spotlight
Much as she loves studio work, Layonne gets a special rush from the audience/performer dynamic. Her joy for her craft comes through in every live performance. Layonne got her first break singing backup with the band Backwoods and subsequently became a member of Love Among Freaks (of "Clerks" movie fame). Soon after, Layonne, her mom and friend Debbie Vaughn formed RAIN, a group whose sound was an electrifying fusion of soul, jazz, R&B, rock and gospel. Layonne parlayed that experience into a critically acclaimed Grand Ladies of Jazz concert show, which featured songs from Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nina Simone and formed the basis for her next project, The New Standard. At the same time, Layonne began the 11-piece Motor City Revue, a Motown & Stax tribute band that since its founding in 2011, has built such a strong following that it sells out nearly every performance. Additionally, Layonne is a member of Tim McLoone & The Shirleys, a cover band that performs a mix of jazz, classic rock, and "girl group" pop. Layonne's association with Tim began when she and her mom signed on as volunteers for his non-profit organization Holiday Express, a group that brings music, supplies, financial support and goodwill to those in need.
Performing in the major leagues
Layonne has been featured in many Rock 'n' Soul Revues produced by Bob Bandiera, then-touring member of the band Bon Jovi. Her work with Bandiera led to an invitation to be a member of Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia, featuring Jon and several Jersey artists doing covers of famous rock and pop songs, including some of Bon Jovi's own. Throughout her career, Layonne has shared the stage with many music industry luminaries, including Darlene Love, Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King, Leslie Gore, Marc Ribler, Glen Burtnik, and Beth Nielson Chapman. In 2001, Layonne and her mom were selected to back Bruce Springsteen on the internationally-televised "9/11 Tribute to Heroes" telethon and appear on the album of the same name.
The next chapter
Layonne continues to stretch her musical muscles, turning her attention to songwriting collaborations with area musicians. Layonne's first published song, "Higher Plane" appeared on the 1999 Love Among Freaks CD, "Representin' Planet Earth". Layonne and the New Standard Jazz Quintet often include some of her more recent compositions in their set list. Layonne's next goal to conquer: recording a solo CD. Based on her successes to date, the CD is bound to be a powerhouse debut and surely will lead to even more "firsts" in the future.
~ by Barbara Willis
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IN THE NEWS
Dec 10, 2019 Asbury Park Press
Dec 3, 2019 Instinct Magazine
Jan 18, 2016 Two River Times
Dec 24, 2015 NJ Arts.com
Asbury Park Press 2013 Summer Guide!
June 29, 2012 Asbury Park Press
Feb 28, 2009 Aquarian
Oct 31, 2008 Star Ledger
March 2, 2007 Two River Times
Feb 20, 2007 Asbury Park Press
Please listen to my interview with Andrea Tarr of Jersey Coastal Live, click here
2021 CALENDAR.
2021
JANUARY
Jan 29 - Matt O'Ree Band, The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ, 7pm
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Mar 12 - Gonzo's Funky Family, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 7:30pm
Mar 27 - Matt O'Ree Band, The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ, 7pm
APRIL
Apr 24 - THEATER SHOW!!! Motor City Revue, Brook Arts Center, Bound Brook, NJ, 8pm
MAY
JUNE
Jun 24 - Motor City Revue, Pier Village Boardwalk, Long Branch, NJ, 8:30pm
JULY
Jul 13 - Matt O'Ree Band, Broadway Bandshell, Long Branch, NJ, 7pm
AUGUST
Aug 1 - Motor City Revue, Blu Grotto, Oceanport, NJ, 8pm
Aug 26 - Motor City Revue, Traders Cove, Brick, NJ, 7pm
Aug 27 (RAIN DATE) - Motor City Revue, Traders Cove, Brick, NJ, 7pm
Aug 29 - Motor City Revue, Excursion Park, Sea Isle, NJ, 7pm
SEPTEMBER
Sep 16 - Layonne Holmes Band, Downtown Freehold, NJ, 7-9pm
Sep 19 - Matt O'Ree Band, Hopewell Theater, Hopewell, NJPri
Sep 23 - Motor City Revue, Private Party
OCTOBER
Oct 10 - Motor City Revue, Private Party, Hopewell, NJPriv
Oct 14 - Motor City Revue, Downtown Freehold, NJ, 7-9pm
Oct 17 - Motor City Revue, Private Party, West Long Branch, NJPriv
Oct 24 - Ray Andersen's David Bowie Tribute, Boonton, NJ, 8:30pm
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Dec 1 - The Shirleys, Long Branch Tree Lighting, Pier Village Boardwalk, Long Branch, NJ
Dec 11 - Motor City Revue, Private Party
Dec 14 - The Shirleys, Monmouth County Library, Manalapan, NJ, 2-4pm
Dec 18, 19 - Private Party
CRediTS.
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and many more!
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PERFORMED and/or RECORDED with:
Alan Grant & Primitive Soul
Backwoods
Arlan Feiles & The Brokenhearted
Bar Scott
Ben E King
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Bill Chinnock
Bob Bandiera
Bob Burger
Bruce Springsteen
Calling All Divas
Chris Pinella
Clarence Clemons
Darlene Love
Dan Zanes
Franke Previte
Gabrielle Roth and The Moving Center
John Cafferty
Jon Bon Jovi
Josh Dion
Lesley Gore
Lisa Lowell
Little Steven Van Zandt
Love Among Freaks
Mike Wells
Neal Coty
Nick Clemons
Nicole Atkins
Pat Guadagno
Patti Scialfa
Phoebe Snow
(Mr.) Ray Andersen
Robert Cotnoir/Grapefruit Soundlab
The Trammps (supporting act)
Tim McLoone & The Shirleys
Tommy La Bella
Soozie Tyrell
Steve Greenwell
Soul Project
Southside Johnny
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