|
 The
Phoenix Blues Society is proud to present Blues Blast 2010 with
Chicago’s Big James Montgomery and the Chicago Playboys as this
year’s headline act. Big James and the Chicago Playboys have won the
Living Blues magazine’s annual Critics’ Poll for Most Outstanding Horns
four year in a row (from 2005-2008) and have recently been nominated for
Blues Music Awards in 2002, 2006 and 2008. Their recent release on Blind Pig
Records, “Right Here, Right Now,” is an outstanding disc and is another
strong candidate for Blues Music Award recognition.
Big James got his start with
Little Milton and then teamed up with Charlie Kimble in backing Chicago
blues and soul singer Little Johnny Christian before his passing. Together
they continued Johnny’s dream of keeping the band going and this veteran
group of Chicago’s finest toured behind Buddy Guy for several years before
venturing out on their own. “I don’t play music to win awards,” states
Montgomery with characteristic frankness, “I play music ‘cause I love it,
and it comes from my heart.”
Big James and the Chicago
Playboys live and perform “in the moment.” We’re looking forward to them
bringing their characteristic high-energy Chicago soul blues to an
appreciative Blues Blast audience.
 Joining
Big James and the Chicago Playboys at Blues Blast is Delta Groove recording
artist, Candye Kane, a 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee in her own
right for Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. Candye hits the stage with
a new found thankfulness and appreciation for life having conquered
pancreatic cancer over the course of this last year and adopting a healthier
and happier lifestyle to match.
Candye’s band features female
guitar sensation, Laura Chavez, who also co-produced Candye’s new album,
“Superhero,” another disc sure to be considered in this year’s BMA
nominations. Candye and her band are a surefire bet to set the Blues Blast
stage on fire.
 Portland’s
Insomniacs are the third national act appearing at this year’s
Blues Blast. The Insomniacs are lead by singer/guitarist Vyasa Dodson,
who along with bassist Dean Mueller, keyboardist Alex Shakeri and drummer
Dave Melyan, burst upon the scene on the strength of their first Delta
Groove release, “Left Coast Blues,” a record nominated for a BMA for Best
New Artist Debut.
Their brand of west coast jump
blues is infectious and their newest release, “At Least I’m Not With You,”
is another strong representation of the impact the Insomniacs are having on
the blues world in general, and this year’s Blues Blast in
particular.
 The
Sugar Thieves, winners of this year’s Arizona Blues Showdown,
return for their encore performance at Blues Blast. Formerly the
Mikel Lander – Meridith Moore Band, the Sugar Thieves advanced from the Pig
on Beale at the International Blues Challenge to compete in the IBC finals
at the Orpheum Theater. Their experience in Memphis fueled a hunger and they
return to Memphis this year for a final opportunity to compete for an
opportunity to advance and place in the finals. PBS is proud of our IBC
entrant and wishes them nothing but the best as they head to Memphis in
January.
 Valley
favorites the Jump Back Brothers appear at Blues Blast for the
very first time. This veteran group of blues/rockabilly performers are sure
to please the Blues Blast audience with their own infectious brand of
music.
Vocalist Keith Rogers leads a
very talented band with Mike Howard on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass and Perry
LaFine on drums. The Jump Back Brothers have quickly established themselves
as a force to be reckoned with both locally and regionally.
 The
final piece to the Blues Blast puzzle is the solo/duo winner of
Tucson’s SABHF IBC competition, Arthur Migliazza and Tom Walbank.
Veteran performers of Tucson’s music scene, neither is a stranger to blues
fans here in Phoenix. Arthur represented PBS in Memphis several years ago
and Tom has also represented PBS in Memphis in 2005 as the guiding influence
of Tom Walbank and the Ambassadors. Heavily influenced by the Piedmont blues
stylings on John Cephas and others, Arthur and Tom are the perfect opening
act for a stellar Blues Blast line up.
“Doing the Blues Blast Bop” is
the theme of the 2010 Blues Blast, and the Phoenix Blues Society is
excited to partner with Steve Conrad and the Arizona Lindy Hop Society to
provide both dance lessons and a dance floor for Blues Blast.
Blues Blast attendees are
encouraged to take advantage of the expertise of the Arizona Lindy Hop
Society and put what they learn to good use, dancing the day away in front
of a great line up of dance friendly Blues Blast artists.
Blues Blast 2010 promises
to be a day to remember. Hope to see you there!
|
