Paul Stott Group

Growing up in the South Side of Chicago can steer a person in many different directions. However one of the most alluring and adventurous paths is The Blues. That seemed to be guitarist's Paul Stott's destiny in life. After moving to Jacksonville Florida in the late seventies and being smitten by the southern rock scene, he went back to his sweet home Chicago and became re-acquainted with the blues thanks to his older brothers. They were a huge influence in his style of play and approach to the blues. In Central Florida, around 2010 he formed the Paul Stott Group and hasn't looked back since, winning the Orange County Blues Society People's Choice Award back to back in 2013 -14. Orlando Guitar Center crowned Paul; King of The Blues Guitar in consecutive years, so it's not by chance he knows his chops around the fret-board and has become the focal point of the group with his high energy and  dynamic playing.
Paul has assembled a team of top notch musicians to solidify their sound. Richard Plate on harp and lead vocals evokes Little Walter and William Clark's harmonica styles. Rich's voice is soulful with a little grit -a great combination for the blues. Gary Martin on bass is a seasoned veteran and backbone of this group. "Mighty Joe" Adcock on drums lays down some powerful percussion.
Some noteworthy gigs are under their belt: Daytona Blues Fest / Bonita Blues Festival/ Blues & BBQ City of Orlando and in recent months the Mount Dora Blues N Groove Weekend and the Casselberry Craft Beer & Blues Festival. Paul has opened for Buddy Guy, The Nighthawks, Bob Margolin, Jimmy Thackery, Ana Popavic and continues to keep up a vigorous schedule as a hard working band playing various venues in the Orlando/Central FL area. Check out the website for even more info!:
http://www.paulstottgroup.com/  I always have my trusty Nikon with me and a few images of the Paul Stott Group captured live will be posted!

Daytona Blues Festival

The Fifth annual Daytona Blues Festival was held on a  beautiful three day weekend, October 10th, 11th and 12th at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark right on the Halifax River. Organizers of this event outdid themselves as some of the very best talent in blues music today was booked. The large crowd clearly enjoyed the sights and sounds on stage during this first-class festival.
A great mix of up and coming blues acts and established veterans were scheduled on each day of the Festival. Friday evening featured Samantha Fish, John Nemeth and Southern Hospitality. Day two was equally exciting, as Little G Weevil & Billy Gibson (great acoustic act) took the stage. Their delightful hour-long set was followed by a polished Rhythm and Blues group -Diedra and The Ruff Pro Band. The Mississippi Blues Child -Mr. Sipp delivered his high-powered, guitar driven southern blues to the appreciative crowd. After a short break, one of the highlights of the evening; Davina and The Vagabonds delivered a tasteful dish of Saint Louis Blues and eclectic music that had the audience participating. (See the October 18th post to this blog). Guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery demonstrated his master of the Strat- delivering Hendrix-like notes to the air waves. One of Chicago's very best: Bobby Rush closed out the evening on a high point. These first two days of blues acts fully satisfied Central Florida's thirst for the blues with day three's activities still yet to come. As is usually the case, I did have my camera bag with me and had access to the stage. Wish you could have been there, or maybe you were!

Davina & The Vagabonds

Most of my friends and family have strategically migrated from the north to the south. After years of shoveling snow, ice storms, white outs and enduring weeks of cabin fever, they rent a truck and move their earthly belongings to the warmer climate of the southland.  However, some folks are different. Consider Davina Sowers- a musician who moved from tropical Key West Florida  all the way to the winter wonderland of Minnesota to change her life. How does a classically-trained pianist from the southernmost city in the US successfully make it in the frigid Land of Lakes? By exceptional song writing, great arrangements and assembling one of the county's finest bands featuring a dueling horn section, drums,upright bass and of course Davina on the keyboards singing her heart out with stunning sultry vocals. The cherry on top is a suitable name: Davina and The Vagabonds.
I am a lover of  blues and eclectic music -stuff you really can't put an identity on. All I know is I grew up listening to Louis Armstrong, Floyd Cramer, Bill Black's Combo, The Beatles, Stones and Kinks. . . .Davina and the Vagabonds is all of that and a bag of chips wrapped up into one!
The recent Daytona Beach Blues Festival gave me a front -row and center opportunity to buy into what they are selling. On an extremely humid and hot afternoon, Davina and the Vagabonds took  the stage and in a matter of a few minutes had the audience eating out of their hand. I spotted dancing, toe tapping and spontaneous clapping in the every section of the stadium. The hour-long set borrowed heavily on the last two albums released: Sunshine (2014), and Black Cloud (2011). Musically  and vocally D & The Vagabonds are spot-on and very tight. The horn section was outstanding. Percussion was exceptional. Davina is a one of a kind vocalist. A throw-back mix of some of the best female singers of all time throughout the years. Her voice has a wonderful range, but the best part of Davina is her stage presence and ability to ad-lib and entertain. The hour set was over way too fast. That is my gauge of a great show. So glad I got to see and hear the girl that moved from the sunshine state almost to Canada! Great Move! Please give them a listen and by all means go see them as they are on tour a good part of the year. Check out their on-line home: http://davinaandthevagabonds.com/ Of course I had my trusty Nikon with me and will post a few photos from the Daytona Blues Festival show.

Joel DaSilva And The Midnight Howl

There is no doubt that Chicago is a melting pot for the blues. All roads seem to lead to Maxwell Street. Every style, every guitar riff, bass line, drum shuffle and sweet soulful vocal eventually arrived and has been done in the Windy City at some time or another. Imagine living there as a young lad and being inundated in all forms of the Blues at a very young age in a musical family. Such is the story of Joel DaSilva. 
So it is not by chance that when I saw Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl, I was impressed not only by the great music and showmanship but I couldn't help but notice how musically diversified and gifted Joel DaSivla is. Lead vocals and riveting lead  & rhythm guitar is what he was destined to do. . .and  he does it well!  The Howl - a band of veteran musicians also reflects Joel's philosophy of music and compliment the live experience. Doug Treen on Tenor Sax, Bob Cleary on bass and George Anderson on drums. These guys are tight and can change direction and turn on a dime!  Can Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl play Jump Blues? Texas Blues? Chicago Blues?, Mississippi Blues? Yes to all the above!. Two recordings are available for consumption at this time; Joel Da Silva And The Midnight Howl and  Durty Howlin' Blues - the latter just released in spring of this year. Home base for Joel is Miami / Fort Lauderdale  Florida area. However they find themselves all over the country from time to time. Recently I caught up with them at The House of Blues Orlando where they were booked for two nights. I happened to have the trusty Nikon in tow, so I got some action shots to share on the blog. My recommendation is that you see and hear Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl live and experience the full throttle attack of  the front-man of the Howl - Joel DaSilva. 

                           http://www.jdandthehowl.com/