Tab Benoit |
With all the makings of an American music icon, Tab Benoit has become one of the premiere roots stylist of the century. Tab has paid his dues as a road troubadour playing 250 nights a year performing at venues across North America, honing his guitar chops and becoming part of Louisiana folklore and legend. Way down in the heart of steamy South Louisiana there's a run-down shotgun-style, brick building where magic is known to happen on any given night. Many of the town's people don't venture into the area, but those who do, order from a hand written menu containing such misspelled delicacies as "hot sawsage poboys" and "fried swimps",. After a good, greasy meal, they are treated to the most authentic blues around. It's here at Tabby's Blues Box and Heritage Hall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Tab Benoit played to gain acceptance among the true blues fans and players of the down and dirty genre, while earning the customary thirteen dollars a night. "We weren't allowed to bring in our own equipment", Tab recalls. "We always just made do with what was there... that's the Blues Box way." Tab has fond memories of the leaky roof, the outdated PA system (a 1970's bass amplifier), and the appreciative crowd; a mixture of LSU students and neighborhood regulars. But mostly, he remembers a piece of advice from Tabby Thomas, the club's proprietor, who told him, "If you play the blues, you'll always have a job." Visit his website. |
Robert Cray Band |
The five-time Grammy Award winner summarized 35 years of mastery on the debut Nozzle release Live From Across the Pond (2006), an electrifying two-CD concert set drawn from a series of shows (opening for Eric Clapton) at London’s Royal Albert Hall. When the time came to follow up that widely praised collection with a studio recording, Cray viewed it as an opportunity to move his sound in other directions. He found exactly what he was looking for by turning to one of his oldest friends and colleagues: bassist Richard Cousins, whose tenure with the Robert Cray Band began with its barnstorming regional origins in Eugene, Oregon, in 1974 and extended through 1991, encompassing such early high-water marks as Strong Persuader (1986) and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1988), both winners of the best contemporary blues performance Grammy. Visit his website |
Chris Duarte and Bluestone Co. |
Chris got interested in music after seeing Fiddler on the Roof as a third grader in San Antonio, Texas. He thought the fat guy on the roof playing the fiddle was cool. He wanted to play the clarinet, but the band was full. Later, in 1977 at the age of 14, he started playing guitar. He played his brother Bart's guitar until his mom bought him one, a Supro, at age 15. He began to play a lot more seriously, practicing heavily and sitting in with others. He formed his first band, the Z-lots, at this time. In 1978, Chris auditioned for the Jefferson High School Talent Contest but was turned down. Dropping out of high school at age 16, Chris moved in with Clark Ellison, a schoolmate who was also a bass player. In 1979, Clark struck out for Austin to pursue a career in music. Later that year, on December 1st, Chris went to Austin and moved in with Clark. By 1980, Clark Ellison was in MAINSTREET, a jazz/fusion band. In March, Chris auditioned with them and, since he could read music and knew chord changes, joined the band. His first paying gig was during this time, at age 17, for $35 at the Zilker Park Clubhouse. Chris and Clark got day jobs as delivery drivers and also worked in a warehouse. Chris moved out in May and got his own place. He played with MAINSTREET through October of 1980. Visit the website |
Lois Greco |
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John Mayall |
John Mayall was born 29th of November 1933 in Macclesfield, an English town near the industrial hub of Manchester--a far cry at that time from the black American blues culture we are familiar with today. The eldest of three from humble working class origins, and in the shadow of WWII, this skinny English lad grew up listening to his guitarist father's extensive jazz record collection and felt drawn to the blues. Strongly influenced by such greats as Leadbelly, Albert Ammons, Pinetop Smith, and Eddie Lang, from the age of 13 he taught himself to play and develop his own style with the aid of a neighbor's piano, borrowed guitars, and secondhand harmonicas. Visit his website. |
Shaun Murphy |
Shaun is now fronting her own band (The Shaun Murphy Band) which started mid 2009. Before that, she joined Little Feat as a full time member in 1993 for the recording of "Ain’t Had Enough Fun" and remained for over 16 years. Whether she’s belting out the blues or softly singing a ballad the listener is in for the treat of an emotional roller coaster ride. There’s nothing in the world like sitting in the front rows of a show and have Shaun pick you out and sing to you. Your goose bumps get goose bumps.... In addition to her extensive work with Little Feat, Shaun’s voice has graced the recordings of such luminaries as Eric Clapton, The Moody Blues, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Meat Loaf (as part of the duo Stoney and Meatloaf) and Bob Seger. Visit her website |
Ana Popovic |
For the second time Ana and her European band are invited to play at the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. On high sea Ana jams with Susan Tedeschi, Larry McCray, Bob Margolin and many others. |
Walter Trout |
"Walter Trout isn't just a great guitar player...he works from the heart with a flawless and fiery edge. When Walter Trout plays, he owns you." David Wilson/The ToneQuest Report Provogue Records proudly announces the release of guitar master/singer/songwriter WALTER TROUT'S "THE OUTSIDER" May 26th in Europe and June 24th 2008 in USA. Produced by John Porter (B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys, Ryan Adams) and recorded at Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, CA, "The Outsider" features 13 Walter Trout originals (the title track co-written with Trout's bass player Rick Knapp). Trout's backing band on "The Outsider" includes drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), bassist Hutch Hutchinson and pianist Jon Clearly (Bonnie Raitt), as well as Skip Edwards and Samuel Avila on the Hammond B3 and a special guest appearance by harmonica wiz Jason Ricci. Visit his website |
Mike Zito |
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Zito was immersed in the gritty sounds of the south side that would unknowingly become the groundwork of his future in music. Like the legends before him, music has coursed through his veins from the early age of five, when he began singing and performing. It didn't take long for him to discover his instrument of choice, electric guitar, after receiving a Van Halen record for his birthday. His education and journey were just starting - little did he know he would find himself among such legends at a local guitar shop just out of high school. "Everyone from Chuck Berry to Bennie Smith came in that store," Zito shares of his experience. "I soaked up the sounds of that store and began building my own style." Visit his website |
