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©copyright by
The Bluesnet
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St.
Louis local & regional talent
Last Modified - December 12th, 2001
New Artists: Boo Boo Davis
& Ted May
| Search by last name/band
name |
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Tommy
Bankhead
 Tommy
Bankhead....a legendary name synonymous with St. Louis Blues
music. Just mention his name to any true St. Louis Blues lover, and
you'll see what I mean. Born in Lake Cormorant, Ms. on October 24,
1931, we are certainly blessed that this talented man chose to make
St. Louis his home. Mr. Bankhead's history reads like a Blues " Who's
Who", beginning with his early days playing with Woodrow Adams and
the 3 B's, Joe
Hill Louis, Sonny
Boy Williamson, Howlin'
Wolf, Elmore
James, and of course, our local Blues Patriarch Henry
Townsend. From his beginnings here with his group 'The Landrockers",
Tommy then went on to form his locally famous group The Blues Eldorados,
and could be seen playing down in Soulard every weekend for over 17
years. For more on this St. Louis legend, read
his interview
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Billy
Barnett
 The
name Billy Barnett is synonymous
with great St. Louis guitar. Having had opened for and shared the
stage with names like Roy Orbison, The Neville Brothers, REO Speedwagon,
and Jean Luc Ponty, the Billy Barnett Band is one of St. Louis most
spirited Blues bands. Billy even spent a year playing with Country
fiddler Shoji Tabuchi in Branson, Mo. Tours have taken them through
Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, and as far north as Greenland. "Feel is
what we specialize in", as Billy describes the band. With Mississippi
Mud and now thier newest CD Brand New Boogie out, the Billy
Barnett band is here to stay. For booking info call Billy at 314.504.6510
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Barbara Carr
 Barbara
Carr
is a native of St. Louis, and developed her musical roots singing
at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. As a teenager, Barbara and her
sisters began to experience show business as they formed "The Crosby
Sisters" musical group. Afterwards she was in a group called "The
Crumb Crushers, formed by her grade school teacher, and performed
on shows such as "The St. Louis Hop". Musically inspired by her
family, Barbara also includes as musical influences artists like
Faye
Adams, Ruth Brown,
Mahalia
Jackson, Koko
Taylor, Jimmy
Reed, and Etta
James. Other early St. Louis performances include shows at the
old club Dynaflow, and on Dave Dixon's "Shower of Stars". A veteran
performer, Barbara has performed with everyone from the Memphis
icon Rufus
Thomas, to our own hometown legend Oliver Sain. For more on
Barbara, read her interview.
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 These
guys have been together about 3 years but have all played locally
for over 25 years. 5 pieces - Danny Balsamo-the man with the golden
voice also doubles on sax and flute, Chris Black- holding down the
bottom on bass and vocals, Steve Simpson-keys, guitar and vocals (also
a great amp tech at Gravity
Strings and Fazio's), Rick Gibson- guitar (the Fender Stratocaster
guitar that is),vocals & harp and Daryl Baluco - keeping the beat
on drums & vocals. They pride themselves on playing Blues and
Soul tunes we all know and love.They had a Top 10 mp3 hit in 1999
called "Y2K Blues". Check out their website
for lots more Bonedaddy info (like their schedule)!
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James Crutchfield
 James
Crutchfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1912,
and came to St. Louis in 1948. Early in his career, James was Elmore
James' piano player. "I happened to help make his record "Dust My
Broom". In Memphis, TN., B.B. King would play on the right side of
the street and me and Elmore played on the left side." James Crutchfield
is a local treasure. For more on this amazing man, read his interview.
Sadly, James passed away on Dec.
7th, 2001
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Brian Curran
 Brian
Curran is probably
St. Louis's youngest acoustic fingerstyle player. At only 23 he
has been playing professionally for over 4 years and has earned
himself quite a reputation on the local blues scene. Brian has studied
with some of St. Louis's finest guitar players such as Tom Hall
and Billy Barnett. He's performed in many of the areas top venues
including Off Broadway, Focal Point, Blueberry Hill, Broadway Oyster
Bar, BB's Jazz Blues & Soups, Mike & Mins, and Soulard Ale
House. Brian has also performed with some of the areas greatest
players such as Ron Edwards, and Leroy Pierson. Brian has a wide
range of styles from gritty delta slide guitar to the soft sounds
in the style of Mississippi John Hurt. He plays a variety of covers
from pre-war blues of Tampa Red & Robert Johnson to more modern
songs of Eric Clapton & SRV. Brian also has a huge arsenal of
original tunes and is currently working on a solo CD project at
Music Masters here in St. Louis. Catching Brian here in town is
easy, he plays at Mike & Mins on Wednesday nights at 8:00 &
Saturday at 4:00, and Soulard Ale House Fridays at 4:30. Brian is
available for lessons, and all types of occasions and can be reached
at 314.846.7815 or 314.208.0670
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James DeShay
 James
DeShay's first
"guitar" was a one-string rig he concoted by nailing a piece of baling
wire to a post and tightening it with a snuff box. From that single-string
instrument he was able to play melodies and change pitch by mashing
down on the wire. DeShay's earliest influences included the great
Charlie Patton, Howlin' Wolf and Robert Jr. Lockwood.
James was already an accomplished guitar player when he moved to St.
Louis in the mid 40's, when he struck up a friendship with Little
Walter Jacobs with whom he played around town. James often also worked
with Robert Nighthawk and Big Joe Williams. By the early 1950's he
had his own band, and by the 1960's his own tavern which he operated
and played in. (The BBC shot footage of James there in 1976 for part
of the 'Devil's Music' series) Sadly, James never recorded commercially,
but his memory and music lives on in all his fans.
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Boo
Boo Davis
 James
'Boo Boo' Davis was born on November 4, 1943 in Drew, Mississippi.
He started playing drums with his family band when he was seven years
old. At that time he didn't have a drum kit so he used a lard can
instead. This band, called the Lard Can Band, featured his father
Sylvester sr. on vocals, his brother Sylvester jr. on bass, his younger
brother John on guitar and his sister Clara also on vocals. His brother
Sylvester jr is also known as S. L. Davis. This
band played in Mississippi cities as Minnow City and Rulevine and
during this time they also backed up young B.B. King who was at that
time completely unknown outside Mississippi.
Boo Boo moved to St Louis and started playing real drums. His first
gig was with Doc Terry. After he left Doc Terry he started a band
with Little Aaron who composed the song "East St Louis"
on Boo Boo's new CD. That band became one of the hottest backup bands
in St Louis and they backed up great blues legends like Little Walter,
Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Milton and Elmore James. In 1972 Boo
Boo formed another Davis family band featuring his brother John Davis
on guitar and S.L. Davis on bass. This trio, known as the Davis Brothers
Band was the weekend house band at a club called Tabby's Red Room
in East St Louis for 18 years. They played from 2 to 6 a.m. every
friday and saturday.
Boo Boo can be heard on the new Arthur Williams CD "Harpin' It
Out" on Fedora Records. Boo Boo's recording debut under his own
name took place in September 1999 and the result was released on Black
and Tan Records in January 2000. The CD got very nice reviews in the
international blues magazines like Blues Access and is played on blues
radio stations all over the world. With Arthur Williams & the
Bluesmasters Boo Boo Davis already performed at the Handzame Blues
Festival (Belgium) in September '99.
His first european tour under his own name took place in April 2000.
He did 16 successfull shows in Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany,
Austria, France and the UK. In the UK he made recordings for the famous
Paul Jones Show on the BBC Radio. In December 2000 and May 2001 he
toured Europe again and his next european tour is scheduled for December
2001. His next recording project (again for Black and Tan Records)
is also scheduled for December. |
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Nephew Davis
 Nephew
Davis on bass,
has an impressive and varied musical background. He is equally at
home with jazz, blues and rock. He has worked with such luminaries
as James Brown, Bobby McClure, Shirley Brown, Tyrone Davis, The
Moments, the Funkadelics and the Dells. Among the many local entertainers
he has played with are Tommy Bankhead, Doc Terry, Rondo, David Dee,
Piano Slim, Oliver Johnson, Bill Tucker, Keith Doder, Ross & Hunt,
Arthur Williams and the Bosman Twins. Nephew is a versatile, professional
musician who can provide any song with "bottom" that just won't
quit. During his over 30 years jamming professionally on the bass
guitar, Nephew has released several cd recordings, including 'Get
It While the Gettings Good' and 'Christmas in the Neighborhood',
both with Ross & Hunt, 'Williams and the Blues Master' with Arthur
Williams and 'Jack & Coke' with Erstin Overnight. A studio bass
player, talented and soulful, Nephew can be heard live at all the
regular St. Louis venues for blues, including Soulard's Mike & Mins,
Mollys, Soulard Ale, Grizzly, etc. He has traveled nationally and
can be scheduled for bookings at 618-332-2932.
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 Over
the past twenty-five years, Keith Doder
has emerged as a dominant Harp & Vocals presence on the St.
Louis blues scene and a rising national talent. Keith Doder formed
The Blue City Band in the early
1980's along with drummer/vocalist, David Tims. But the seeds of Doder's
love of blues and harmonica were planted much earlier when Doder honed
his harp-playing skills as a regular harpist with St. Louis blues
great, Tommy Bankhead. Doder was recruited by the late Chicago blues
legend Jimmy Rogers in 1997 and travelled extensively throughout the
United States, Canada, and Europe as a featured harpist. Doder filled
the shoes of a long line of blues harpists who backed up Jimmy Rogers.
Rogers remarked that,"Keith, you get up underneath me on that harp
just like Little Walter used to do." Doder has captured the trademark
Chicago blues harp sound and refined it into his own distinctive style.
Check out the Blue City Band release, "By Invitation Only", which
showcased Doder's lyrical and instrumental prowess. Doder recently
released a new CD, "Blue To Bright,"
which truly captures his rich-toned harp style, songwriting and insightful
vocals. The Blue City Band is moving forward along with Doder as this
ensemble steadily moves forward regionally and nationally. To learn
more about this talented band, email Keith , or surf on over to their
website
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GUMBOHEAD
is a psychically-connected
group of musicians, raconteurs and tricknologists dedicated to the
presentation and preservation of red-hot Louisiana dance music. Their
rhythmic vocabulary includes blues, funk, jazz, zydeco, swamp rock
and traditional second line grooves, all 100% guaranteed to make every
party a Mardi Gras party
Gumbohead is:
Joe Balestreri -- guitar, trumpet, vocals
| Dave Mills -- saxophones
Andy Coco -- bass, vocals | Jeff
Thompson -- drums | Ron Sikes
-- percussion
Tim Halpin -- guitar, harmonica, vocals |
Tom Martin -- accordion, keyboards
For booking, send an
email to Gumbohead, or
call Tim at 314.727.2342.
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Richard Hunt
 Richard
Hunt (shown
here with Johnnie Johnson at
Buddy Guy's Legends)
began performing on stage as a High School student. Hunt received
his training as a drummer while performing in popular clubs and
any number of other Blues Festivals and concert venues. Mr. Hunt
studied and completed a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois
University, then later traveled throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.
Mr. Hunts Masters Degree Thesis focused on computer technologies
in interdisciplinary curriculum design. Richard Hunt is a professionally
certified veteran Educator. Today Blues Drummer Richard Hunt serves
as a Clinician, Professional Consultant and Classroom teacher in
St. Louis County. For more information email Richard
or call 314.771.5896.
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 So
much has been said about Johnnie Johnson,
by so many artists. A short list of the musicians he's performed with
over the years includes Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Muddy Waters,
Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Albert
Collins, Johnny Lee Hooker, Little Milton, Albert King, Little Walter,
Memphis Slim, Charlie Musselwhite, the late Jimmy Rogers, the late
Roy Rogers and of course, Chuck Berry. Johnnie
has his own website, and was
also inducted into the Sideman category of the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame. Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Johnny Lee Hooker,
Dick Clark, Little Richard and Bo Diddley are among those who have
lent their names to the effort. The
co-chairman of the Hall of Fame (and also the co-chairman of Atlantic
Records) issued a statement calling Johnson "undoubtedly the best
blues pianist in the world today."
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Stacey Johnson
 A
living St. Louis Blues legend, Stacey Johnson's
career dates back to his early days with Ike Turner and the Ikettes.
Soft spoken as he is, Stacey is one of St. Louis' best vocalists,
which you really need to experience for yourself. Raised on the Gospel,
Stacey has that soulful sound that wraps you in the true feel of the
Blues. "Performing with Ike and Tina Turner was probably the biggest
learning experience of my life!", Stacey informed the Bluesnet. To
learn more about this talented artist, read his interview
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David Krull
 David
Krull
has performed
and developed his talents for over 25 years in Kansas City, Chicago
and New Orleans. The early influences of Ahmad Jamal, Otis Spann, and
Leon Russell provided
David with a foundation for inventive romps on the eighty-eights.
Improvising with wild abandon, David Krull at the helm of a piano
can bring the house down with a natural blues, eight-to-the-bar
boogie, or a Crescent City rhythym, reminiscent of the great Professor Longhair.
A highlight of St. Louis piano blues was the Sheldon concert that
paired Johnnie Johnson and
David Krull on dueling Steinways. David's career took another exciting
turn when he was asked by Mr. Jimmie Rogers to
join his band. The rest, as they say, is history. For more on this
talented artist, who now calls scenic Alameda, Ca. his home, read his interview
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 Clayton
Love is St.
Louis' blues music royalty. Clayton Love was born in a little town
called Lamberts, Ms., near Clarksdale, one of the hottest beds of
blues down throughout history. Clayton came by piano as an accident,
and has loved music ever since he can remember. "I was aware of music
because my family was a musical family. My mother was a pianist and
she played in the church. Eveybody in my family had some kind of musical
background. If they couldn't sing they could play! I was blowin' trombone
in a marching band in high school, playing drums in the marching band
too! It ended up we said "let's start a swing band"." Clayton claims
Charles Brown as an early influence. "Tremendous, tremendous, I guess
I was about as crazy about him as the women were. His talent and the
way he delivered! I've always been amazed by him. He was a brilliant
guy too, a chemistry teacher I think, before he went off into the
music business." Louis Jordan told me "always seek out somebody who
knows more than you do, and don't fool around with these guys who
dont know anything". Clayton is married, with seven children. "I'm
a great-grandaddy now, cause my grandson who lives down in Florida,
he has a child. My daughters - I have five daughters - they have children.
I think I have eight grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, and
they're keeping the family name going" (laughs). For more on Clayton
Love, read his interview.
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Ted
May
Ted picked up a bass guitar in 1975 and embarked on a lifelong musical
journey. He began his career in the St. Louis local scene with Shepherd
playing throughout the Midwest, including Kiel Opera House, and recording
on the K-SHE Seeds album. His sense that he had to change his environment
in order to advance his career led Ted to relocate to Los Angeles.
There he studied advanced bass techniques with former Racer X bassist
and Musician’s Institute Instructor, John Alderete. He also studied
under Dave Spitz of Black Sabbath and Great White. As a member of
several bands, Ted established himself as a fixture on the hard rock
club circuit playing such venues as The Roxy, The Whiskey, Gazzarri's
and The Troubadour.
In 1990, he was awarded 2nd place in the "Best Bassist in Los
Angeles" contest sponsored by The Bass Center and hard rock radio
station KNAC. In 1992, he released a solo cassette, which highlighted
his command of the bass. Both events resulted in Ted having been featured
in Bass Player, Guitar for the Practicing Musician, Burrrn (Japan),
Guitar World and Screamer.
When he returned to St. Louis he joined Warner/Chappell recording
artist Javier Mendoza (produced by Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep). After
several years with Javier he moved on to 5 Long Years, a local blues
band playing Off Broadway, 1860's, Broadway Oyster Bar, etc. After
working the reunion tour of CBS/Sony recording artists Pavlov’s
Dog, Ted, again felt the need to travel and joined up with Blind Pig
Records artist Studebaker John & the Hawks for a national tour
of the U.S. including the Jazz & Blues Festival in Juneau, Alaska,
Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago and other well known clubs.
You can reach Ted by email
for any booking info! |
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Buzzy Morton
 Buzzy
Morton is
one of St. Louis' most enduring guitarists. Music came early in life
to this talented musician. At the age of 9, he began playing the drums
that his Dad gave him, then went on to learn the bass guitar. At 15,
he found himself playing his first gig, and having to get a permit
to be allowed to work in the clubs. Lead guitar then drew his attention,
and he's never looked back! Having played with such names as Richard
"Groove" Holmes, Albert King, Oliver Sain, The Soulard Blues Band,
and Patti and The Hitmen has brought Buzzy local recognition, and
led him to form his own band, Buzzsaw and
the Toolmen
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Melissa
Neels Band
 I
know you have never seen a woman play lead guitar like this!! If you
are curious as to what I am talking about you have to check out a
young, blond, beautiful, and loaded with talent, Melissa
Neels. Recently coming into the St. Louis blues scene
with her band the Melissa Neels Band, she will knock your socks off
and thoroughly entertain. Already playing at some of St. Louis's premier
blues clubs like Broadway Oyster Bar, Mike & Min's, and Hammerstones,
she is taking St. Louis by storm. She has sat in with Bennie Smith
at Hammerstones jam session on Sunday nights. Melissa considers Patti
Thomas of Patti and the Hitmen to be one of her mentors. Melissa's
influences are Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, and Susan
Tedeschi. It has taken her a long time to come into her own and create
her own voice but she is definitely making it now. Her gutsy vocals
and wailing guitar licks offer something for everyone. Melissa likes
to credit her mom and dad, Judy and Jim, with sparking her interest
in music and especially the blues. For a real treat come see her band
down in Soulard. Her strong originals compliment her cover material.
Her band is often listed in the Riverfront Times. Also
check out her website!
Her band members include Bud Rager on drums, Dominic Consolino on
bass, and Mike Roseman on keyboards,(who used to play with Rondo's
Blues Deluxe) and frequent guest appearences by Howard Young on harmonica
(Article written by a good friend). For
more on this local talent, read her interview
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Original Recipe
 Glenn
Butterhorn
on slide and lead electric guitar and vocals. Glenn is the leader
and founder of the Original Recipe Band, and very active in the
St. Louis Blues Society. For bookings
& info.
Chris Taylor on vocals
and harmoncia. Chris was formerly in the Blues Deville Band, Spanky
and Our Gang Band, Phillip Johnson and the Interstate Blues Band.
John "Bud" Cooper
on lead vocals is Mr. Smooth. Best known for his involvement with
Ben Sharp and Bennie Smith with Bennie and the Sharpies. John has
also done work along with Stacy Johnson and many others.
Gerry Mandel on keyboards. Gerry
Mandel tears up the keyboards with a fiery brand of boogie woogie,
barrel house and Chicago piano styles, or a dose of the B3 hammond.
Gary Dillon is the percussionist.
Gary also was a member of Bennie Smith's band and is frequently
called upon to do fill in work for other St. Louis drummers in both
blues and jazz.
Rich Lilie on vocals and bass
guitar is the other half of the rhythm section. Rich has worked
extensively in the St. Louis area in both blues and R&B groups,
previously with Blues Attitude.
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Steve Pecaro
 Growing
up here in St. Louis, Steve Pecaro
has had a loyal following of local fans for a long time. His intense
guitar skills onstage reflect the presence of his musical influences,
Freddie King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Steve can usually be found every
weekend in Soulard playing with
his band Steve Pecaro & The Tone Kings.
Check out his SRV tribute concert review!
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Billy Peek
For nearly 30 years Billy
Peek has rocked, rolled and duck-walked his way through
the clubs and lounges of St. Louis and
East St. Louis. When he asks the question "Can a white boy play the
Blues?", you'll answer a resounding "YES". Billy can be found around
town every weekend showcasing his guitar ability to his loya l following
of local fans.
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Leroy Pierson
 For
the past twenty years, guitarist, record producer, and Blues historian
Leroy Pierson has been one of
the St. Louis Blues scene's most active and productive participants.
Leroy's stlyes of music cover a broad spectrum, from Reggae to Blues.
Pierson learned guitar firsthand from brilliant musicians of pre-war
vintage such as Mance
Lipscomb, Johhny
Shines, Robert
Wilkins, and Fred
McDowell. Pierson made long and frequent trips to rural Mississippi
to study with his mentors, and the esteem which they held for him
is evidenced by the fact that when Fred McDowell passed away, he willed
Leroy his treasured guitar. Today Pierson uses that instrument on
frequent appearences here in St. Louis and around the world.
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Rx
Blues Band
 The
RX Blues Band was formed
in 1992 by two doctors from Highland, Illinois and has evolved into
one of the premier original music acts in The St. Louis Metro Area.
The only original member left, Dr. Jose Diaz, is a surgeon by day
but a blues guitarist at night. The current lineup consists of Jeff
Davis - Bass and Lead Vocalist; Al Winkeler - Guitar, Vocals, And
Harp; Gwyddon Kelly - Lead Vocalist; Ray Tomkins - Lead Vocalist;
and 18 Year Old Triple Threat Cory Shaeffer - Guitar, Keyboards, and
Saxophone. In 1997, they released their debut CD, "Rainy Days", on
the Kode Blue record label, which has received airplay not only locally
but also in New Zealand and Europe. Their New CD, "Mississippi Moses"
was released in December of 1998, contains 14 all original Blues based
songs, and is available at most music stores in the St. Louis area
through Blue Sky distributors. The song "Big Head Franklin" was recently
included in a compilation CD for Elite Entertainment along with soundtracks
from acts such as Roomful of Blues and Tommy Castro. The new CD is
receiving air play in Europe and it has received strong reviews, particularly
in the recent Kansas City Blues Society newsletter. For Bookings call:
Lucy at 618.654.9245, or send them an email!
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Oliver
Sain
 Musicians
come and go, but in St. Louis the person who has been at the center
of music in every capacity (and survived) with the greatest influence,
is Oliver Sain . As multi-instrumentalist,
bandleader, arranger, songerwriter, producer and owner of recording
facilities, Sain is the man. Only his friend Ike
Turner can claim comparable influence. In the late sixties,
he opened his Archway Studio on Natural Bridge Boulevard in St. Louis.
Nearly every musical style has been recorded there in the past twenty-five
years, from Phil Perry's smooth vocal group The Montclairs, to avant-gardist
Julius Hemphill's Coon Bid-ness. Oliver Sain still plays as strongly
as before, leading his band onstage regularly in St. Louis, as well
as the occasional European appearances, and all the recognitions and
perks of being a master of the craft come his way: Lifetime Achievement
awards, live shots on "Good Morning, America" and NPR, and some royalty
checks. Having reached his sixties in full control of his musical
gifts, why expect Oliver Sain's story to be finished. Oliver
Bio written by Tom "Papa" Ray "The Soul Selector" St. Louis radio
KDHX 88.1 FM St. Louis, MO.
For booking information, please contact Oliver
at 4521 Natural Bridge Road, Saint Louis, MO 63115-2347. Office: 314.383.0067
Fax: 314.382.2217
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Bennie Smith
 Bennie
Smith is one
of St. Louis' leading blues guitarist, with his musical heritage firmly
rooted here in St. Louis. Those
of you who were fortunate enough to have seen Bennie perform can attest
to his musical genius. Bennie recorded "Box Top" and quite a few songs
with Ike Turner. Over the years Bennie has played with artists like
Little
Milton, and Aretha
Franklin. Bennie
has also played with or taught just about everybody! You name them
- Billy Peek, Little Herbert, Q.T. Macon, Larry Davis, Oliver
Sain, Billy Gayles, Ike Turner,
Albert
King (who called him Alvino Ray), BB
King, Bobby
Bland, and Little
Milton.
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John
David Tims, Jr.
 John
David Tims, Jr. ("Capp") started playing drums in a gospel
choir at the age of 13 and has not missed a beat since. He has been
playing professionally; locally, nationally and internationally for
over thirty years. He is well known and respected around town, as
"Capp", for his magnificent vocals and spectacular drum rolls. He
can be heard crooning in the Soulard area, Clayton, St. Charles and
Webster Groves. He has entertained crowds in Kansas, Indiana and Oklahoma.
He had the opportunity and privilege to travel abroad and jam for
our soldiers in the Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Portugal.
Capp can sway any
crowd with the soulful sounds of the Temptations and timeless tunes
like Under the Boardwalk. His favorite blues are ZZ Hill's Down Home
Blues, Little
Milton's The Blues is Allright and Otis
Redding' Sitting on the Dock of the Bay. He has played with some
local bands, Skeet, Blue City Band, Marcel Strong, Blues Knights,
Soulard Blues Band,
Mojo Syndrome, and Interstate Connection Blues Band. He has made several
recordings with the Blue City Band where he is featured singing "Blues
is My Religion" on their cd "By Invitation Only" and more. Capp
is available for freelance gigs and is starting up a new band. If
you are a musician who needs a great drummer or if you are interested
in being part of a fresh, brand new sound around time, give him a
call at 314.645.6938 or email Capp . To follow his schedule,
see more pictures and hear live sounds, check out his website "The Drummer's
Diary"
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Henry Townsend
 Henry
Townsend (pictured
here with good friend Oliver Sain) has
recorded in every decade since the twenties. Born in 1909 in Shelby
Mississippi, he ran away from his family to St Louis where, as a teenager
he heard Lonnie Johnson and other St Louis legends developing the
blues sound. Henry was influenced by local barber Henry Spaulding's
recording of "Cairo Blues" and his boyhood friend, David Perchfield.
An obscure St Louis blues legend named Dudlow Joe took
Henry around with him to the poolhalls and bars and helped him learn
the blues circuit. In
1929, an audition was arranged by a music store competitive of Jesse
Johnson's; Sam Woolf. Sam's shop was at 15th and Biddle, and perhaps
his only offering to the history of the blues was Henry Townsend,
for he recorded for Paramount and Columbia in that year. Henry's music
benefited from associations with Roosevelt
Sykes and Walter Davis. In 1937 in, Big Joe Williams, Robert
Nighthawk and Sonny
Boy Williamson traveled to Aurora Illinois with Henry and other
St Louisans to record one of the most influential sessions of the
Prewar period. The songs from this meeting shaped the blues and influenced
the direction of the genre. Today Henry lives in a modest home in
St Louis and fulfills his role as the last remaining descendant of
the early blues. His latest release is The
"88" Blues, which makes 8 consecutive decades
of musical recordings! Want to learn more on this St. Louis Blues
Patriarch? Here's his most recent interview,
enjoy!
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John
Wolf
Greetings! My name
is John Wolf. I play the
alto, tenor, and bass trombone, and the euphonium. I also compose
and arrange. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, I am the leader of
the JOHN WOLF QUARTET, a jazz ensemble with a somewhat unusual format,(and
which, when flautist/vocalist MARGARET BIANCHETTA is available, I
expand to a QUINTET). I
am also the sole proprietor of my own record label and marketing organization,
BONEHENGE MUSIC. I recently ended a year-and-a-half run with Providence,
R.I.-based ROOMFUL OF BLUES,
one of the finest jump blues/ swing bands in the country. Now that
I'm back home in St. Louis, I will be spending more time fronting
the JOHN WOLF QUARTET, in addition to freelancing with groups of all
types in and out of the St. Louis area. Of course, as is my custom,
when not actually working, I will be jamming all over the place (old
habits die hard!). For more info, check out my website
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Arthur Williams
Born in Mississippi,
Arthur Williams is one of the few remaining authentic
Delta-style blues harp masters. While growing up in Chicago, Williams
carefully listened to the records and radio broadcasts of his two
idols, Sonny
Boy Williamson and Little
Walter. He went on to play with Elmore
James, Eddie
Taylor, James
Cotton, Junior
Wells, and the great Muddy
Waters. Arthur's harp prowess on Frank
Frost's 1966 album earned the respect of legions of music critics
and fellow bluesmen. After moving to St. Louis, Williams recorded
and toured with Big
Bad Smitty. An incredibly gifted harmonica player, Williams is
finally achieving his long-overdue recognition as a world-class musician.
It's
really easy to be a part of Stlblues!
Send us a short bio describing you and your band, your contact/booking
info, along with a picture and your discography....and of course
tell every other band you know! We prefer e-mail
and jpegs (try to keep them under 30 kb), but you can also snail-mail
to Stlblues at 2111 Victor, St. Louis, Mo. 63104. All materials
sent to Stlblues are non-returnable.
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