Chris O'Leary Band

Place: Orlando, Florida                                      

Venue: Friendly Confines 
Date: January 20, 2017

The real beauty of the blues is it's Diversity. Yes, this music is pure American Roots that originated in the deep south from American Africans. However, much like the Mississippi River - it flows into smaller rivers, tributaries and creeks to nearly half the states of our country.
So it is not surprising that a young man from New York can lock onto the blues, learn to play harp & sing, then move to Louisiana, and eventually form his own band, and travel the world sharing the gift and keeping the torch lit so that others can be inspired and appreciate this unique  music.
For six years of his life Chris O'Leary played with one of the finest musicians the world has ever known - Levon Helm. When you  listen to the Chris O'Leary Band you definitely can hear the influence of Levon come through if you were a fan of the legendary group; The Band.
They say: Variety is the spice of life, and that is what you get when you see Chris O'Leary live. His time in New Orleans served him well. He and the band can get you up on your feet by playing some New York jump style blues, then all of a sudden, turn on a dime and precisely deliver a slow and sultry Dr. John, French Quarter, Cajun inspired tune.
O'Leary and the band played two lively sets, primarily drawing material from his four recordings thus far. It was a pleasure to meet him after the show and find out that this ex Marine is a hard working bluesman that writes songs from his life's experiences and is influenced by a wide variety of older, journeyman musicians. Go catch the Chris O'Leary Band at a town near you, as he tours a good part of the year, or check out his music available on ITunes and other online outlets. The Nikon was with me and I was able to catch a few frames and share them with you.

                                                                           

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/