Joe Louis Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album Everybody Wants A Piece cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues. Looking back on his rich history, Walker shares, “I’d like to be known for the credibility of a lifetime of being true to my music and the blues. Sometimes I feel I’ve learned more from my failures, than from my success. But that’s made me stronger and more adventurous. And helped me create my own style. I’d like to think that when someone puts on one of my records they would know from the first notes, ‘That’s Joe Louis Walker.” www.joelouiswalker.com
2017 line up
Curtis Salgado
With a career spanning forty years, award-winning soul, blues and R&B vocalist/harmonicist/songwriter Curtis Salgado is a one-of-a-kind talent whose music is as compelling as his story. From co-fronting The Robert Cray Band to leading his own band (and recording nine solo albums) to helping transform John Belushi into “Joliet” Jake Blues to touring the country with Steve Miller and Santana, he is a true musical giant. NPR calls him “a blues icon” with a “huge voice.” Salgado earned a reputation for high-intensity performances and a repertoire inspired by his encyclopedic knowledge of soul, blues and R&B music. He won the 2010 Blues Music Award (BMA) for Soul Blues Artist Of The Year and went on to win the award again in 2012 and 2013. In 2013 he also won the coveted BMA for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year—the highest honor the blues world has to offer—and took the statue for Soul Blues Album Of The Year for his Alligator debut, Soul Shot. Blues Revue says Salgado’s music is “triumphant, joyful, blues-soaked R&B” and declared him to be “one of the most soulful, honest singers ever.”
The Beautiful Lowdown, Salgado’s new Alligator album, is the singer’s most fearless and adventurous release to date. For the first time in his career, he wrote or co-wrote virtually the entire album himself. He co-produced it along with Marlon McClain and Tony Braunagel and contributed to the horn arrangements and background vocal parts. “My heart and soul are in this,” he says proudly. “I worked my tail off and let the songs lead the way.” As for the title, Salgado explains, “During a recent show, I turned to my guitarist and said, ‘Play something lowdown. But make it beautiful.’ Then I thought, ‘Keep that.’”
The Beautiful Lowdown is a major step forward for Salgado. “I wanted to write memorable songs with strong melodies that stick to you, and that’s what’s here.” He arrived at the studio with 17 originals and whittled the list down to 11, adding Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s Hook Me Up to close the set. Each track—from the Van Morrison-esque Nothing In Particular to the funk grooves of My Girlfriend to the driving Hard To Feel The Same About Love to the reggae-tinged Simple Enough—is delivered with the vocal power and passion of a musical master. Living Blues says, “Salgado navigates dynamic soul, swaying balladry, and funky grooves with equal confidence. He is a formidable performer.”
Photo Credit: Joseph A. Rosen
Sugar Blue
Sugar Blue incorporates what he has learned into his visionary and singular style, technically dazzling yet wholly soulful. He bends, shakes, spills flurries of notes with simultaneous precision and abandon, combining dazzling technique with smoldering expressiveness and gives off enough energy to light up several city square blocks… And sings too! His distinctive throat tends to be overlooked in the face of his instrumental virtuosity – he’s got a rich, sensual voice with a whisper of huskiness which by itself would be something out of the ordinary. Harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue is not your typical bluesman, winning a Grammy Award for his work on the Atlantic album, Blues Explosion, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival. www.sugar-blue.com
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band
Chubby Carrier is undeniably “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman.” Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band are turning heads around the world and bringing Louisiana flavor to the masses. The funky zydeco band’s latest release, “Zydeco Junkie,” earned one of the highest musical accolades when it was named Best Zydeco or Cajun Album during the 53rd annual Grammy Awards celebration in February 2011. In addition to the coveted Grammy, the band was honored with OffBeat magazine’s Best of the Beat award when it named “Zydeco Junkie” as the Best Zydeco Album. Furthermore, the 2010 Big Easy Music Awards awarded the group for Best Zydeco. www.chubbycarrier.com
Nick Moss Band
A conversation with guitarist and blues aficionado, Nick Moss, is never dull. The 16-time Blues Music Award nominee is one of the top draws on the blues circuit and one of the most exciting, dynamic performers working today. And work he does. He and his band play venues, clubs and festivals world-wide and maintain not only a grueling tour schedule, but an active recording schedule as well. Nick is a gifted storyteller, a songwriter that takes his craft seriously and a musician with a daunting work ethic. He is a walking encyclopedia of blues and music knowledge, and his deep understanding of the genre shines on the new release, From the Root to the Fruit (Blue Bella Records, 2016). www.nickmossband.com
Vanessa Collier
Master musician and multi-talented blues performer, Vanessa Collier, was recently nominated for a 2017 Blues Music Award (BMA). With searing saxophone solos, soulful vocals, and witty lyrics, Vanessa’s songwriting takes you through an engaging blend of blues, funk, rock, and soul in an exceptionally entertaining, high-energy performance. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Vanessa’s alluring vocals and stinging saxophone work saw her light up stages as part of Joe Louis Walker’s band (2012-2013), while her 2014 debut album Heart Soul & Saxophone was declared “magnificent” on Dan Aykroyd’s blues radio show, winning her accolades as a Best of 2014 Blues Breaker. www.vanessacollier.com
Sean Chambers Band
Sean Chambers toured with the legendary Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader from 1998-2003. Britain’s own Guitarist magazine named Chambers as “One of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century.” After his tenure with Sumlin, he was asked to headline the prestigious Maryport Blues Festival. In 2009, Chambers recorded what would be his most critically-acclaimed album to date, Ten Til Midnight, which garnered rave reviews and also appeared on the Living Blues chart for the first three months. It received steady airplay in 45 states around the U.S, as well as many markets overseas. “Guitarist Chambers achieves the distinctly American blues/soul/country/rock sound that the Stones used to aspire to long ago.” www.seanchambers.com
– Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY
Brody Buster
Brody Buster is a blues and rock musician from Lawrence, KS. His unique and extensive experiences in the music industry have been a bit of a whirlwind, to say the least. As a tow-headed 9 year old, Buster was heralded by blues legend BB King –who made the pronouncement after pulling Buster onstage during the midst of a full house at a sold out concert- as “one of the greatest harmonica players of our time, despite his age, believe it or not.” At the 2017 International Blues Challenge, Brody won second place overall in the Solo/Duo category and also won the award for “Best Blues Harmonica.”. http://www.brodybuster.com/
TC Carr & Bolts of Blue
Harmonica man, T.C. Carr is one of Florida’s top musical artists. He has long earned a reputation as one of the premier harmonica players in the United States and Europe. He is a Florida native and passionate singer songwriter. His strong lead vocals and unique harp work demand an audience’s attention and he is a fan favorite wherever he plays. T.C. has established himself as one of Florida’s best blues and Americana artists. He is one-of-a-kind, truly like nothing you’ve ever heard! T.C. Carr & Bolts of Blue is an Original, American Blues/Roots band now on the Festival circuit. With the amazing JOSH NELMS on guitar they have quickly become one of Florida’s top concert bands. http://www.tccarr.com/
Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones
Doug Deming is an American blues and roots guitarist/vocalist, born and raised in the Detroit area, currently residing on the Gulf coast of Florida. Doug is the 2013 recipient of the Blues Blast Music Awards’ Sean Costello Rising Star Award. Drawing influence from greats like T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian and Robert Jr. Lockwood, Doug’s traditional taste and style are evident in his original music, with three recordings of primarily original tunes to his credit. Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones play traditional blues, West Coast and Texas swing, and early 50’s roots rock. This is real deal rocking’ rhythm & blues! https://dougdeming.com/
Photo Credit: Bird Stevens
Damon Fowler & Matt Walker
Damon Fowler & Matt Walker have toured together in Damon’s Trio, Southern Hospitality, with Butch Trucks, and the Freight Train. Together they are bringing a special acoustic show to The Bradenton Blues Brunch at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. A limited number of tickets are available for $50 and include a three-course, seated and served meal created by award-winning Chef Paul Mattison.
Learn more about the Blues Brunch.
Photo credit: Michelle Wilson
