Artist Category: Blues | Page 3

Jake Xerxes Fussell

Singer, guitarist, and folk music interpreter Jake Xerxes Fussell has distinguished himself as one of his generation’s preeminent interpreters of traditional (and not so traditional) “folk” songs, a practice which he approaches with a refreshingly unfussy lack of nostalgia. By recontextualizing ancient vernacular songs and sources of the American South, he allows them to breathe and speak for themselves and for himself; he alternately inhabits them and allows them to inhabit him. In all his work, Fussell humanizes his material with his own curatorial and interpretive gifts, unmooring stories and melodies from their specific eras and origins and setting them adrift in our own waterways.

Fussell’s album Good and Green Again was released Jan 21, 2022 via Paradise of Bachelors. Produced by James Elkington, the record navigates fresh sonic and compositional landscapes and is, perhaps, his most conceptually focused to-date. Fussell and Elkington enlisted a group of formidable players hailing from Durham, North Carolina (where Fussell lives) and elsewhere, including regular bandmembers Casey Toll on upright bass, Libby Rodenbough on strings, and Nathan Golub on pedal steel. They were joined by welcome newcomers Joe Westerlund (Megafaun, Califone) on drums, Joseph Decosimo on fiddle, Anna Jacobson on brass, and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, who contributes additional vocals.

“…Fussell is the rare contemporary to approach folk in its pure form, shunning self-penned compositions about bummer relationships to concentrate on material handed down from bygone, hardened times.” – The New Yorker

Henri Herbert

With 100 million video views and concerts from Lithuania to Hawaii, Henri Herbert is one of the most popular boogie and blues piano players in the world. The former stevedore and boxer performs a visceral, timeless show of classic covers and original songs featuring piano and vocals inspired by the great American boogie and blues pianists of the 20th century, not only keeping this unique form of American music alive and well, but also advancing it forward.

A UK national and current Austin, TX resident, Henri became instantly hooked on boogie and blues piano at an early age upon hearing a Memphis Slim record. Ever since, Henri has immersed himself in the sound and history of this music that birthed rock n’ roll and inspired so many of today’s rock legends. In concert, Henri makes clear that this rollicking sound remains as invigorating today as it did 100 years ago when boogie and blues began its takeover of barrooms and juke joints across America.

“Like Jools Holland possessed by Jerry Lee Lewis and The Devil Himself” – Jon Aizlewood, London Evening Standard

“His bar-room boogie piano manages to be, variously, celebratory, rolling, turbulent, manic and even – delicate and moving.” -Jude Clarke, BBC Music

Cristina Vane

Cristina Vane is an Americana artist out of Nashville. Her signature bottleneck slide guitar playing, travis picking, and clawhammer banjo are tied together by her silky, powerful voice and her vivid songwriting. Born in Europe to a Guatemalan mother and Sicilian-American father, Vane’s musical perspective is decidedly unique and authentic.

Her debut release, Nowhere Sounds Lovely was produced by Grammy-award winning drummer and producer, Cactus Moser (Wynonna Judd). Vane’s latest album, Make Myself Me Again was released April 2022, and was co-produced by Brook Sutton, Jano Rix (of the Wood Brothers) and Cristina herself, and and charted the AMA as well as a few Alternative Country charts. Cristina has an extensive touring history and has provided direct support for: Bob Weir, Wynonna Judd, Cass McCombs, Town Mountain, Duane Betts and Willi Carlisle.

Vane sold out her 2021 Station Inn debut and was featured in the Bank of America ad for Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary. She was an invited guest for Billy Strings’ String the Halls 3, has appeared on Travis Book’s Happy Hour and The Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour. 2022: Bender Blues Festival (NV), 4 Corners Folk Festival (CO), Briggs Farm Blues Festival (PA).

Corey Harris

Corey Harris is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader who has carved out his own niche in blues. A powerful singer and accomplished guitarist, he has appeared at venues throughout the North America, Europe, Brazil, The Caribbean, West Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

He began his career as a New Orleans street singer, travelling throughout the southern U.S. In his early twenties he lived in Cameroon, West Africa for a year, which had a profound effect on his later work. He has recorded many old songs of the blues tradition while also creating an original vision of the blues by adding influences from reggae, soul, rock and West African music. His 1995 recording, Between Midnight and Day, is a tribute to the tradition of acoustic blues. Subsequent recordings, such as Greens From the Garden (1999), Mississippi to Mali (2003), and Daily Bread (2005) show Harris’ maturation from interpreter to songwriter. Some of his imaginative compositions are marked by a deliberate eclecticism; other works stay true to the traditional blues formula of compelling vocals and down-home guitar. With one foot in tradition and the other in contemporary experimentation, Harris is a truly unique voice in contemporary music.

He has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the top names in music such as BB King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, R.L.Burnside, Ali Farka Toure, Dave Matthews Band, Tracy Chapman, Olu Dara, Wilco, and others. His additional recordings include Fish Ain’t Bitin’ (1996), Vu-Du Menz (with Henry Butler, 2000), Downhome Sophisticate (2002), Zion Crossroads (2007), and blu black (2010).

Ira Klein

Ira Klein is a guitarist, banjoist and composer, currently based in Cambridge, MA. Inspired by his love of blues, old-time and gospel, Klein creates contemporary roots music.

Paul Nelson

Song crafter, blues explorer, mystery muser Paul Nelson brings the music home with his new album, Over Under Through due in January 2019 via CDBaby. Traveling through a landscape of blues, roots, and folk, Paul delivers a musical experience that captures and inspires with songs like “Ghost in the Basement”, “Color It Blue”, “Go Down Ezekiel” and the title song.

With the release of his album Over Under Through, listeners will discover that Paul’s music does not easily settle into any one musical format, but is a masterful blend of American roots and blues, gospel, folk, rock and jazz.

Recorded outside Boston in Newburyport MA and produced by Tom Eaton, the new album is a showcase for the writing and playing that comes after many years of pursuits outside of music. Nelson has assembled a stellar band of New England folk and blues icons to bring these songs to life, including guitarist Kevin Barry, drummer John Sands, bassists Richard Gates and Paul Kochansky, and vocalist Kristin Cifelli. The recordings were made at Universal Noise Storage and completed in October of 2018 with guest contributions from Nelson’s mentor Ellis Paul and Bay area horn player Jeff Oster.

Drawing inspiration and direction from genre-bending artists like Amos Lee, Ray Lamontagne, and Lyle Lovett, Paul’s heartfelt, rootsy songwriting and passionate live performances are sure to delight and charm fans across a wide range of musical tastes and backgrounds, and with the release of Over Under Through should resonate in listening rooms, house concerts, open mics, and churches throughout New England and beyond.

Roy Book Binder

Singer-songwriter-storytelling-bluesman….. Roy Book Binder has been rambling around the world for the past 45 years! He gave up his Greenwich Village “pad” in the early 1970’s and lived in his “Tour Bus” for the next 15 years criss crossing the US and appearing at festivals throughout Canada & Europe.

Book Binder, travelled with the legendary Rev. Gary Davis in the late 60’s….. The Book, recorded his first solo acoustic Blues album in the 70’s, which was the first to receive 5 stars in DOWNBEAT magazine! In the late 80’s ‘The Book’ was part of Bonnie Raitt’s East Coast Tour, which included an appearance on The Grand Old Opry which led to almost 30 appearances on NASHVILLE NOW’s, Ralph Emory Show! In the 90’s he often appeared with JORMA KAUKONEN (who recorded 2 of Roy’s songs).

Last Aug. 19th, THE GOOD BOOK, Roy’s latest release of all original songs, reached #3 on AirPlayDirect’s Americana charts! #1 was Guy Clark & #2 was the late Townes Van Zandt. Folkdj.org had Roy in the top 3 artists for July.

Chris Smither

Having distilled his own signature sound of blues and folk for over 50 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original. A profound songwriter, Chris continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers. From his early days as the New Orleans transplant in the Boston folk scene, through his wilderness years, to his reemergence in the 1990s as one of America’s most distinctive acoustic performers, Chris Smither continues to hone his distinctive sound. He has always traveled his own road and stayed true to his musical vision. He may be best known for writing “Love You Like A Man” which Bonnie Raitt and, more recently, jazz great Diana Krall have covered. His music has been covered by numerous artists and featured in soundtrack albums, independent film, television, and commercials. Reviewers continue to praise his dazzling guitar work, gravelly voice and songwriting. The New York Times: “With a weary, well-traveled voice and a serenely intricate finger-picking style, Mr. Smither turns the blues into songs that accept hard-won lessons and try to make peace with fate.”

More From the Levee (2020 Signature Sounds) is a masterwork and companion release to the celebrated double-CD 50-year career retrospective Still On the Levee that came out in 2014. It sports the unmistakable guitar sound Chris has made his own meshed with spare, brilliant songs, delivered in a bone-wise, hard-won voice.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Smither is an American original, a product of the musical melting pot, and one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world.

ROLLING STONE: Bathed in the flickering glow of passing headlights and neon bar signs, Smither’s roots are as blue as they come. There is plenty of misty Louisiana and Lightnin’ Hopkins in Smither’s weathered singing and unhurried picking. So fine.

NEW YORK TIMES: With a weary, well-traveled voice and a serenely intricate finger-picking style, Mr. Smither turns the blues into songs that accept hard-won lessons and try to make peace with fate.

Jeffrey & Aaron Halford

It’s nearly impossible to describe this artist’s musicality in a few limiting words. Jeffrey Halford, Americana singer/songwriter, establishes a special connection with fans through his soulful fusion of folk, rock, country and blues. Jeffrey Halford and his band the Healers continue their tour nationwide and internationally in support of their recent record ‘West Towards South’ which was released through Floating Records.

Atmospheric, funky, rustic, and raw this is narrative Americana at its finest; poetic story songs delivered with the voice of authenticity, sitting atop a moody bed of dirty slide guitars, organic drums, and swampy bass. Subtle touches of violin, piano, and lap steel adorn a song cycle that chronicles the westbound adventures of two mythic brothers in an equally mythic America. Jeffrey with co-writer Don Zimmer and Adam Rossi (band member, co-producer) created a genuine Americana concept album that is simultaneously devoid of pretension, and richly authentic. The album already received acclaim by Rolling Stone, LA Music Critic, Middle Tennessee Music and many others.

Over the last 25 years, Jeffrey Halford and the Healers have played shows with some of music’s most acclaimed artists and songwriters, as well as Halford’s influences, such as Taj Mahal, Los Lobos, George Thorogood, Gregg Allman, Etta James, John Hammond, and Texas Greats Augie Meyers, Guy Clark and Robert Earl Keen.

Dayna Kurtz

Over the past decade, the New Jersey born, now New Orleans (and seasonal Vermont) resident vocalist/writer/musician/producer has been bestowed with many awards and praises, including being named the Female Songwriter of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters. Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt have raved about her in interviews, and she’s performed on such high-profile radio shows as World Cafe, Mountain Stage and NPR’s Morning Edition and Tell Me More. She’s toured and opened for the likes of Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Mavis Staples, Rufus Wainwright, B.B. King, Dr. John, Richie Havens, Keren Ann, Chris Whitley, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

On her work and friendship with Robert Maché (Continental Drifters, Steve Wynn) Kurtz says, “I’ve loved Robert’s playing for such a long time, and we’ve been friends longer than we’ve been touring partners – he was one of the first musicians to befriend me in New Orleans. That we had such undeniable chemistry has been one of the greater recent gifts of my life, and I just wanted to document it somehow, and quite a few people in my life including my label have suggested a live record. I’d been hesitant, only because there’s only a few live records I listen to with the devotion I’d give a beloved studio record. It’s notoriously really difficult to capture the feeling of being there in the dark experiencing it. Then the challenge of it intrigued me.”