Ilana Katz Katz

Venue: Bradenton Blues Fest
Date: December 3, 2016
Place: Acoustic Stage




There is something alluring about a woman and a fiddle. Can't quite put my finger on it, but none the less, captivating is how I would describe the music of Ilana Katz Katz.  Blues fans from all over the country look forward every year to seeing new talent at this wonderful venue - the Bradenton Blues Fest. I had the privilege of meeting Ilana right before she went on stage. She was personable, friendly and artsy- all in one special personality. I could tell she was stoked to be in sunny Florida, via Boston. The weather for the festival was perfect, however Ilana was focused on her music as she was intent on presenting her own brand - a mix of Appalachia and the Blues to the sold out crowd in attendance. Ilana is no rookie. She has paid her dues playing and singing in the subway stations of Boston for years. The Bradenton Festival was a opportunity to showcase her talent. So confidently with fiddle in hand and a mic in front of her, she proceeded to win over new fans with music from her latest album entitled: Movin' On. After hearing many of the songs live I couldn't wait to listen to her studio recording , produced with a plethora of very special guests that were very happy to contribute to this project. For one - Grammy nominated Texas zydeco musician Cedric Watson. The list of dignitaries continues with guitarist songwriter, singer, Barry Levenson of Canned Heat fame. Not to mention veteran guitarist Bobby Radcliff and others. Stand out songs on the recording include Big Bill Broozy's; Sweet To Mama. Her own composition entitled: You Crush My Soul is a keeper that will have you humming the melody afterwards. Tanya features Bobby Radcliff and Ilana trading licks in a very catchy instrumental. I have heard a dozen or so takes on Kansas City, but Ms Katz Katz nails a very cool version with this rendition.  My personal favorite was another one of Ilana's compositions: Cruel Willie Blues#2 -It will have your toes tappin'.  As usual, I had my trusty Nikon camera available and caught a few photographs of Ilana in her zone. I will conclude with this thought. Anyone that has been given the stamp of approval by Ronnie Earl merits a listen to.  Movin' On  is available on Amazon and her website which I will include a link here.
                                                             www.ilanakatz.com

Bradenton Blues Fest 2016

Date: December 3, 2016
Place: Bradenton Riverwalk Park

Year after year, Bradenton Florida is host to one of the better blues events in the country and the latest Blues Fest was one of the very finest. The Festivities were sold out on Saturday and the park was literally filled with Blues aficionados from all over the country. The perfect weather along with good food and drink just put the icing on the cake. The organizers out did themselves in signing some of the best acts available at that time slot.
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Monster Mike Welch was a highlight of the early afternoon on the main stage. Sugar Ray Norcia (on harp and vocals) and Monster Mike Welch (on searing lead guitar) complement each other well and was a crowd favorite during their much too short set.
Blues Journeyman Larry McCray took the stage front & center. It became evident that Big Mac knows his way around the fret-board as he delivered his Saginaw Michigan based style of the blues in a non-stop, rousing set.
Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots are rapidly gaining popularity as one of the very best acts to come out of the country. Victor & company tour the states and the world making believers out of every venue they play. Victor connects with the audience via his soulful southern vocals and expertise on the keyboards, while the band is tight and just as entertaining. The crowd wasn't nearly ready for Victor & the boys to exit, however, always in demand, he would return in cameo appearances with other groups as the day went on.

   In between acts on the main stage, the music continued on a an intimate, small acoustic side stage featuring Ilana Katz Katz on violin and vocals. I will do a special feature article on this remarkable young lady very soon, reviewing her debut CD.
  Jason Ricci is something to behold live & in person. He is a ball of fire and a blues dynamo when he launches onto a stage. I find it hard to describe his raw blues energy, but if some of you remember Jerry Lee Lewis in his prime . . you get the picture . . only instead of a piano, Jason does it right with the harp. Ricci satisfied the crowd with songs from his vast catalog of blues standards & originals. John Lisi was special guest on guitar and he showcased his multi talent on the Stratocaster.
   As the sun was setting, it was time for the Blues Veterans to show the youngsters how it is done! The Golden State/ Lone Star Revue was built from the ground up with guys who have been around the block or two. World class guitarist Little Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh form the elite guitar section of the band. R W Grigsby on electric & upright bass. Then on vocals and superb harp is non other than Mark Hummel. Easily my personal favorite of the festival.
   Things were coming to a close as the headliner Ronnie Baker Brooks was introduced. Ronnie fired up the audience with his burning Chicago blues guitar style and smooth but powerful vocals. Son of legendary blues man Lonnie Brooks, It was evident he was tutored in that music starting at a very young age. Ronnie was doing some things from the much anticipated release of his new recording: Times Have Changed, also some traditional blues standards and previously recorded songs. It was a great ending to a stellar day full of blues. With a media photo pass I was granted the privilege of taking a few photographs with my trusty Nikon and will post for your enjoyment.

Young Man Blues

Practically anyone will tell you that if you start doing what you want to do in life at a young age, chances are, you will be successful at it when you get older. Whether you are a businessman, a football player, mathematician, or musician, that rule seems to apply. Even in the blues that is, as they say; Par for the course. BB King's first two initials reveal that -"Blues Boy" King. He passed the torch to many of the young players that are household names today; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang and Joe Bonamassa. They all began learning their blues chops when they were adolescents.
Which brings us to a young man in the Central Florida area that seems to be following their footsteps.
David Julia is in is teens and dead serious about the blues. It is not surprising that at the young age of seven he began preforming. On stage, it definitely shows. David is in a blues zone, confidently playing and singing the music he believes in and lives to preform.
I caught up with David Julia right before he took the stage at The Alley in Sanford, Fl (Home of the Blues in Central Florida for a number of years) What struck me about David, is that part of him is like any normal 15 year old today, taking in each and every day like a big sponge, while balancing homework, life and doing what your mother ask. The other part of him becomes ever so apparent when he straps the guitar on, plugs it into an amp and starts playing. He is the front man of  his own  Blues Band and working with guys three times his age and he has earned the respect of every one of them.  David has the intangible gifts of the blues. He is reminiscent of a young Damon Fowler, whom I have had the pleasure of  seeing his maturation in music since he was 16.
With a recording under his belt and the future in front of him, we are seeing a diamond in the ruff that will continue to be polished by experience and musical fortitude. Look for good things in the life and times of David Julia.  http://www.davidjuliamusic.com/

Bacon Bourbon & Blues Festival

Date: May 14, 2016
Place: Oviedo, Florida
Venue: Center Lake Park Amphitheatre

                                                                 
It's not everyday that that you can attend an event with not one, not two, but three of your favorite things in life as the focus of the entire day! Yet Kim LeMay of Sublime Event Services pulled it off. Kim & her staff of highly trained professionals put on a great event that was well promoted, very organized and a rousing success. Add a fabulous venue, great Florida weather, mouth watering food, stellar entertainment and you have the ingredients of an annual show that more and more folks will attend as each year goes by.
It was a steamy afternoon, but with the hot part of the day behind us and the sun receding, Blues Music filled the air with Joe "Survival" Caruso on stage. The Vietnam Vet from New Orleans did not disappoint with his unique style of Cajun/Texas Blues. Joining his band on stage for vocals on a few songs was Bootsy Taylor, mixing some Soul with the Blues for a pleasing set.
Next up from the Fort Lauderdale FL area, Josh The Pitbull of Blues Rowand and his band excited the growing audience with his flamboyant style of jump blues. Totally underrated on guitar, Josh can shred the frets with the best of them! Vocals and showmanship is top grade also.
With the sun setting, Beth McGee and her band took to the stage. Well known in the Central Florida area, Beth's vocals and piano work is outstanding. She commands the stage and is very comfortable preforming, connecting  with the audience.
The award winning Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots was the headliner of the evening. The Piano From Savannah proved he is in a class of his own as he summoned the audience closer to stage and interacted with them throughout his entire set! A great showman with a razor sharp band that delivers the blues to the max on stage!
The Jeff Howell Blues Band Closed the evening with a bang! This New Orleans native known as the "Big Red Dog" knows the blues and how to deal them with his down and dirty approach to the blues.
As usual, my trusty Nikon was locked and loaded and I attempted to catch the raw energy from these talented players. Hope you enjoy and I invite you to next years Bacon Bourbon & Blues Festival!