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ARTIST BIOS

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!

 


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