Posts Tagged ‘trinidaddio blues’

 

TRINIDADDIO BLUES FEST XIII

Hillary Smith and Soul Kitchen's latest CD, No Easy Way walked away with five 2009 NM Music Awards, including Best of the Year. Soul Kitchen creates a dynamic blues-drenched sound that musically wanders somewhere between Saturday night revelry and Sunday morning redemption.

Perhap's most popular blues outfits, Soul Kitchen's straight-up blues wanders somewhere between Saturday night revelry and Sunday morning redemption. The Albuquerque-based group features vocalist extraordinaire Hillary Smith, winner of Albuquerque Magazine's 2009 Best Vocalist award; well-regarded guitarist Chris Dracup; and Mark Clark who is presently out on the road with John Popper from Blues Traveler is their regular drummer.

PART HARMONICA VIRTUOSO AND PART rhythmic explorer, Harper is a fiery artist -singer / songwriter who blurs the lines between blues, soul, rock and world music. His latest Blind Pig release, "Stand Together" (2010) is the most artistically realized CD Harper has ever written. By combining traditional and modern influences, borowing from Western and Aboriginal music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled "World Blues". His innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback, breaks the traditional bounderies of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, some how sounding primal and contemporary at the same time. No Depression Magazine,'s Rod Ames, adds that Harper " has written and arranged some of the most soulful blues rock filled music I've heard in quite sometime". Harper's new CD reached number 10 on the Billboard Charts and the US Roots Music Charts. "Stand Together" also reached number 2 on the XM/ Sirius Bluesville national Charts, USA. 2010.

Art Tipaldi, editor of Blues Revue recently described Harper as "a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of his Australian indigenous culture, with infectious modern percussive rhythms".

Born in the United Kingdom, Harper’s musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his father introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues lover, Harper began his journey backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music.

"I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful voice and his songs. I would sing his songs constantly. I also really dug Sonny Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my harmonica playing. "But Harper did not stop his search with the blues. It was a chance meeting with a Hopi "Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado, that led him down the path to rediscovering the music of his homeland. Fascinated with the spirituality and culture of the American Natives, he found the same qualities present in the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says "It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to the more traditional blues instruments, it worked. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms."

Prior to his introduction to American audiences, Harper released six albums to great acclaim in his homeland of Australia. In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his first album, "Tears of Ice". This was followed by "Yesterday Is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live At The Soup Kitchen" in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrew’s" in 2002. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica awards and “Album of the Year” honor from US Magazine's Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. Over the years Harper has received multiple Australian Blues Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Acoustic Artist of the Year.”

His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He’s played in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Belgium and France. He first started performing in the United States in 1996, and has toured here regularly since. It was on one of these tours that he caught the attention of Blind Pig, which made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S. His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals, world music festivals, and by fans of jam band music.Harper has become a huge favorite on the world wide festival scene with 28 festivals booked in 2008, 30 festivals booked in 2009 and 32 festivals booked in 2010. It was during one of these recent festival appearances that Chip Eagle, Publisher for Blues Revue/ Blueswax enthusiastically offered "Harper is the most exciting act on the live scene today". He was also invited to perform harmonica on stage several times with the successful rock band "Journey".

Harper’s first Blind Pig release and American debut, 2005’s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with Harper’s compositional skill. “Harper is a crack harp player and he plays the instrument with both speed and efficiency, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole Harper as just an impressive instrumentalist. He is also a solid songwriter, and a soulful singer with a knack for impassioned sincerity,” said All Music Guide. BluesWax noted, “There is much to enjoy here: clever songwriting, top-notch guitar, powerful rhythms, and some great Harper harp!

”Harper’s second release from Blind Pig Records, Day By Day (2007), provided fans wih another prime example of why his unique roots music style occupies a category of its own. Ramble Magazine raved that Harper's harp and lyrics have " depth of feeling and thought that is unusual in today's music ..Harper's music is essential. It should be widely heard". Downbeat Magazine added "Harper uses his trump cards- a strong and direct singing voice, a stirring harmonica out of Sonny Boy Williamson 11 and Little Walter , a droning didgeridoo – to give his melodic tunes an excitement that suits his intelligent use of blues rock and soul forms". Blues legend John Mayall loved Harper's songs so much so, that he included " Just What Your'e Looking For" as track 2 on his new CD "Tough" (Eagle Records)

Harper is at the top of his game on "Stand Together" (2010), showcasing his trademark powerful soulful voice, virtuoso harp playing, haunting didgeridoo, deeply, soulful grooves and unpraralleled songwrting and compelling lyrics. With his chops at their best and his band "Midwest Kind" sharing his vision, Harper will continue to turn heads of audiences who are looking for orginality, honesty, passion and skill in modern roots music.

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Dave Specter

Blues guitarist, bandleader and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier young talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA. Since 1989 Dave has toured internationally with performances in Brazil, Israel, Spain, England, Holland, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland,  Luxembourg, Mexico and Canada.

 

Before forming his own band in 1989, Specter toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay and Steve Freund. Specter has also performed and recorded with such blues and jazz artists as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Johnson, Jack McDuff,  Johnny Adams, Snooky Pryor, Kim Wilson, Tad Robinson, John Primer, Johnny Littlejohn, B.B. Odom, Mighty Joe Young, Valerie Wellington, Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Willie Kent, Ronnie Earl, Eric Alexander, Otis Clay, Floyd McDaniel, Pinetop Perkins and Sunnyland Slim.

Among Dave Specter's critically acclaimed recordings, his 1991 release Bluebird Blues reached the #1 spot on both the Living Blues national radio charts and the Tower Records blues charts.  Blues Access magazine called his CD, Left Turn on Blue, "an absolutely gorgeous blend of vintage blues and jazz."  Specter also appears on compilation CDs with artists such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells.

Dave's latest CD, Spectified features special guest David Hidalgo from Los Lobos and Brother John Kattke from the bands of Buddy Guy and Otis Rush.  "Specter's ninth album confirms his status as one of the few top-tier guitarists." Downbeat 4 Star review. 

Specter's guitar playing can be heard on national TV and radio commercials for Kraft Foods and Northwest Airlines.  Dave's recently been featured in Vintage Guitar and Downbeat magazines and has been a 5 time Critic's Choice in The Chicago Reader.

Dave endorses Victoria Amplifiers and GHS Strings.

Erica Brown, Blues at its Finest!!

Erica Brown is a bona-fide Blueswoman.  She has worked with some of the finest artists in the world, and has shared stages with such heavyweights as B.B. King, Al Green, Delbert McClinton, Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Bob Margolin, and Debbie Davies.

 

As frontwoman for the Award-winning Erica Brown Band, Erica electrified audiences all over the Rocky Mountain region with the band’s brand of searing blues rock.  The band won every award the region offered, including Best Blues Band (Westword Magazine) Best Underground Blues Band (Denver Post) and The Rocky Mountain News’ Best of in the Blues Category.  The band released two critically acclaimed CD’s, “Body Work” in 2000, and “Rough Cut Stone” in 2003.

Erica was dubbed “Denver’s Queen of the Blues”, a moniker that was used by the Altitude Network in their concert showcase feature “OnStage”, which was broadcast to five million households in ten western states in 2005.  The segment continues to run on Altitude today.

In 2008, Erica went solo, and with the help of a host of top-notch musicians, has been continuing to spread the word of the blues locally, regionally, and nationally!

Erica’s credits include: 

Her vocals were featured in the Sony Pictures movies, “The Fan”, with Wesley Snipes and Robert DeNiro in 1996, And in 2005, the acclaimed CD “African Wind” released by the Northern Blues Label. She lent her voice to several tracks of the 2006 CD “Smoke and Mirrors” released by MojoHand Records. In 2008, Erica sang on the CDs “Beautiful Day” by Two-Time International Blues Challenge Winner Lionel Young, as well as stretching out into Americana on “Cipher” the internationally acclaimed CD by Slim Cessna’ Auto Club’.  She also contributed to a track on Rock Genius Xiren’s CD “Trip-R”.

Erica Brown at Trinidaddio Blues Fest VIII

Members:

Erica Brown, Lead and Background Vocals – Bob Pellegrino, Lead Guitar – Ronnie Shellist, Harmonica – R.D. Jones, bass – Gary LaDuke, Drums – Merrian Johnson Lead and Background Vocals

 

KEN SAYDAK has enjoyed a nearly forty year career performing on festival and club stages worldwide.  He has recorded his original blues-based music for Chicago’s prestigious Delmark label, releasing two solo projects, Foolish Man and Love Without Trust. 

The Chicago Sun-Times called his last release on Evidence, It’s My Soul, his “best stand-alone project yet.” 

Having come of age as a performer while many of the seminal blues legends were still alive and playing, he represents a vibrant link between the glory days of Chicago blues and the contemporary blues scene.  He absorbed lessons from the greats during his early days in Chicago but was never content to be simply an imitator, instilling his music with not only traditional styles but also his broad musical understanding.  His wit and wry observations permeate his lyrics, and his performances both as a band leader and a soloist draw from the deep well of American music. 

He is a unique voice in the idiom and the breadth of his musicianship as both a player and vocalist have impressed audiences around the globe.  Ken’s career as a performer has taken him to concert and festival stages on four continents, including tours and appearances in Europe and Japan.  The list of artists who have enlisted his talents include Johnny Winter, Otis Rush, Willie Kent, Lonnie Brooks, John Primer, Mighty Joe Young, Billy Boy Arnold, Sam Lay, Dave Specter, James Wheeler, Tad Robinson, Lurrie Bell, Johnny B. Moore, and Karen Carroll. 

About It's My Soul, his 2005 Evidence Records release:

"Ken Saydak has built an impressive body of work with his three solo albums and his studio work…It's My Soul is his best stand-alone project yet"…
Chicago Sun-Times

"Though veteran session man and Big Shoulders bandleader Ken Saydak has left Chicago, his commitment to America's greatest music remains unabated. On It's My Soul, the singer-songwriter-keyboardist bolsters the canons of blues and roots music with a dozen compelling new songs, delivered with gruffly good-natured vocals and towering piano and organ performances…. It's My Soul is an excellent listen."  
Blues Revue, June/July 2006

"…it reaches back through labels and categories to clutch the still-pumping heart of the simple and glorious music that became rock 'n' roll – the seminal, simmering soul stew bursting with different but related flavors: the twangs of country music, the tangs of New Orleans R&B, the heart pangs of gospel, and the ka-bang!  of the blues… All About Jazz 

About his previous work:

 "Vocalist/keyboardist and Windy City blues vet Ken Saydak is a gripping frontman…"
Billboard Magazine

"With a rock-solid left hand pumping out the rhythms and a right hand that lightly caresses the keys one moment and pounds them into boogie-woogie submission the next, he demonstrates why the piano has retained a prominent spot in the blues world despite the glut of guitar slingers."
Blues Revue Magazine

"Our man is a true blues pianist all around, at the same time soft and deep, a worthy heir to Otis Spann, a champion of an instrument which has lost its prestige.
In addition, he's a sensitive composer, occasionally autobiographical, absolutely gifted for socio-economic or philosophical vignettes about daily life and human relationships."
Soul Bag Magazine Paris  

"Frontman Ken Saydak has a huge, gruff vocal delivery and a flair for writing involved, strong compositions that – while blues-drenched – are often lyrically uplifting and musically complex.  Saydak looks far beyond booze, cheating, partying and heartbreak for inspiration."
Twin Cities Reader

"Ken Saydak is an artist and a poet."
Al Lewis - KBAI-FM New York City

Information provided from kensaydak.com

 

Blues Break Online Ticket Sales Have Ended!  Advance Tickets May Still Be Purchased at Curly's Beads ~ 301 W. Main St. ~ Trinidad ~ 719-846-8647!

Blues Break OnlineTicket Sales Have Ended!  Advance Tickets May Still Be Purchased at Curly's Beads ~ 301 W. Main St. ~ Trinidad ~ 719-846-8647!

 

PRESS RELEASE – March 13, 2012

       In a special meeting on Wednesday (3/7/2012) evening, members of the board of directors of Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc., voted to cancel this year’s 14^th annual event, planned for Aug. 25 in Central Park.

       Citing critical timing issues and other events that are beyond the board’s control, Chairman Jerry Campbell announced the nearly unanimous vote to halt plans for the 2012 music fest that has, for the past 13 years, brought internationally recognized blues performers to Trinidad. There were two abstentions from board members concerned about the potential perception of a conflict-of-interest.

       “The success of the Trinidaddio has been due to the tremendous support of literally hundreds of hard-working volunteers,” Campbell said, “and it has been funded by generous sponsorships from local and regional businesses. We want everyone to understand, this decision was very difficult for the board to make, but the financial risks were deemed too great for us to proceed.  I would also like to thank our dedicated and hardworking board of directors for their countless hours volunteering for the fest and the community.”

       Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc., a Colorado 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has donated profits from its annual event to other local service organizations, including Noah’s Ark, Trinidad Cancer Alliance, Trinidad Fireman’s Toy Drive, Southern Colorado Repertoire Theater and the Trinidad Area Arts Council, among others.

 

TRINIDADDIO BLUES FEST XIII

We would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU! to all our Volunteers:

George Allarid, Harry Anderson, Steve Anderson, Joe Antista, Jeff Bigelow, Les Byington, Jerry Campbell, Mike Campbell, Camilla Campbell, Jacki Curro, Tom Davis, Kirk Denny, Jay Denny, Nate Eden, Jason Ellis, Nancy Ellis, John Finch, Jeff Fleshman, David Frey, Raymond George, Frank Geraldi, Rusty Goodall,

Michelle Goodall, Tim Harper, Trina Harper, Haskell Hooks, Kathy Jones, Shawn Jones, Frank Jozwik, Toni Kight, Bob Lutgens, Lucas McDonald, Sarah McDonald, Frank Modica, Pam Montoya, David Muñoz, Russ Pallone, Jeanean Saunders, Tom Sciacca, Neil Sexton, Chuck Smith, Chris Swift, Francine Swift,

Amanda Torres, Chrissy Whalen, Mary Wright, Justine Aranda, Larry Atkins, Rayanne Burley, Brad Cole, Stan Cusimano, Jordan Donathan, Marissa Esquibel, Joshua Goodall, Tina Guzzo, Roland Johnson, Sylvia Ketcham, Lee Kirkwood, Terri Kirkwood, Buddy Lane, Dina Lujan, Valerie Lujan, Patricia McCoy,

Tom Reid, Roberto Rodriquez, Larkin Roy, James Schatzman, Kenneth Smith, Barb Tripp, Erminia Velarde, Joe West, Joseph Zavala, Deb Hartman, Lynell Mazza, Joanne Montoya, Duane Roy, David Shier, Tom Allen, Stephanie Armstrong, Marilyn Bevsic, Carol Bolton, Mary Cress, Tom Cress, Pat Fletcher,

Karen Griego, Kathleen Griego, Edward L. Griego, Megan McNeil, Vicki Meader, Dolly Padilla, Richard Ridder, Viola Ridder, Jim Sissons, Gary Vigil, John Armijo, Carol Blatnic-Barros, Mary Bosley, Brian Falsetto, Michelle Miller, Colleen Schultz

Thanks to the great attendance, our generous sponsors and the hard work of a brigade of volunteers, Trinidaddio XIII was a rousing success!

Along with a line up that many are proclaiming was the best yet, Charlie Musselwhite served up a healthy helping of down-home harmonica, performing tunes from his latest release, The Well, and setting the bar for Trinidaddio performances!

Trinidaddio Blues Fest XIII Features Charlie Musselwhite!

 

We hope everyone who attended had a wonderful time and enjoyed the event.  We are already planning Trinidaddio XIV, and will continue to update the site.  Please check in often for updates. Be sure to check out the new mobile site – 2D barcode is at the bottom of this page.

We would also take the time to thank:

Ed Gil De Rubio and all the great folks at the City of Trinidad!
Charlie Glorioso & Trinidad Police Dept!
everyone at Trinidad Correctional Facility!
all of our wonderful Food Drink & Art Vendors!
all the Great Bands!!
Colorado Blues Society for sponsoring the Prefest!
Drew Gatlin & Firemen & Families at the Trinidad Fire Dept!
Trinidad Roundup Association for driving the COG Buses!
Huerfano & Las Animas County Council of Governments for Fest Transportation Vehicles
Everyone who helped and All who attended!

And of course all of our sponsors and volunteers, without whom, this festival would not be possible. If you want to be put on our update list add your email to our blues fest email list located on the right side of this page and we'll keep you abreast of all of the new Daddio happenings.

Thank you,

The Daddio Board

Trinidaddio Blues Fest  Vendors