B started out copping Hendrix and Clapton licks. After winning a pair of tickets to see Muddy Waters in 1982 he became immersed in Blues. While attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he was brought on as a member of the house band of the legendary and long-running “Tate’s Blues Jam.” Now B has taken a new turn; choosing to focus on studying jazz guitar and vocals in an endless quest to round out, break new ground and challenge himself, band members and audiences to experience something a little different.

“New York Blues” can be described like the global phenomenon that it is: edgy, honest and one-of-a-kind. From Lionel Hampton to Ruth Brown …from Michael Hill to King Solomon Hicks. Blues People is a NY/NJ blues band featuring...Kelton Cooper (vocals/guitar), Mike Griot (bass), Ron Thompson (keys) and Gene Lake (drums). Early comparisons to the Meters, Luther Allison, Keb Mo' and Buddy Guy are starting to roll in! Having released two promotional singles in 2022, the band is busy in the studio finishing up their much-anticipated 2023 debut album "Troubled Times". These seasoned veterans have certainly paid their dues; as individual side men, they have supported a who’s-who of touring “A-listers”, including Sue Foley, Josh Smith, Kool & the Gang, Ruf’s Blues Caravan and Michael Hill’s Blues Mob… just to name a few. Blues People musically explores the effects of the blues on modern American culture on many universal levels... and is a modern chronicle of four "real-life blues brothers" living in THIS time in America... while surviving the NY/NJ-Metro urban landscape.

Big Frank is a traditional electric and acoustic blues musician known for his powerful vocals and bottleneck slide style. He has been a fixture in the NYC Tri-State blues scene for decades. While listening to Rock and Roll as a teenager, Frank's ear was attracted to the blues elements evident in many of those tunes.
His love of traditional blues and curiosity drove him to become a subject matter expert about its history. His playing style reflects his affinity for these traditional roots.

Over the years, Big Frank has opened for such acts as Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Bo Diddley Jr. and Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, to name a few. His playing has been featured on KFFA's renowned 'King Biscuit Flour Hour' where legendary disc jockey Sonny Payne referred to Frank's style as 'The
closest thing I've heard to Hound Dog Taylor.' He has performed with blues legends Hubert Sumlin and Moose Walker and has been inducted into the New York and the New Jersey Blues Halls of Fame.

For the past decade, Mike Smith has joined Big Frank on amplified and acoustic harp. A fixture on the New York Metro area roots music scene for decades, Mike has shared the stage with James Cotton, The Subdues and others.

The duo are well known for their live shows that feature some of the most authentic elements of the American Blues experience.

Whether Billy Hector is teasing you with his sultry slidework, picking through delta blues or flat-out cranking it up and crunching out the electric blues/rock on his beloved vintage Fender Stratocaster, his music reflects the true soul and origins ofthe blues; always passionate, engaging and dedicated to making the audience move and sweat. Having honed his chops and style through three decades of performances, Hector is critically recognized as one of the hottest and most interesting guitarist/songwriters on the original circuit and has even been called “A New Jersey state treasure” by music writers.

There is only one way to play the blues: From the heart with ferocity as if your life depends on it. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Lanza from the wilds of north New Jersey leaves no doubt as to motivation with the four scorching releases following his debut Things Ain’t So Bad. Years with Floyd Phillips and the Mudflaps and backing legends like James Cotton prepared his audition as a new blues guitar hero.

Bone Daddy & The Hoochies puts a unique, heartfelt spin on classic Blues music. The band delivers inspiring, soulful, funky and rocking renditions of timeless classics by the likes of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Nina Simone and more, along with original tunes. Led by high-energy frontman Bryon Hamilton featuring Joe Polizzi on lead guitar, Misha Shvedoff on bass, Jamie Goldman on harmonica, and Aleksei Dolgopolov on drums.

Brad Vickers learned on the job playing, touring, and recording with America’s blues and roots masters: Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Odetta, Sleepy LaBeef, Rosco Gordon, and Pinetop Perkins—with whom Brad had the good fortune to play on the Grammy-nominated discs, “Born in the Delta” (Telarc) and “Ladies’ Man” (MC)—to name just a few. Now his own group, The Vestapolitans, offers a good-time mix of originals and covers spanning blues, ragtime, hill country breakdowns, and more great American roots ’n’ roll.

Carlos Colina & The Grind has been around in various iterations and configurations for quite some time. The name “The Grind” is a nod to the effort and hard work consistently put forth by the band. Although there is always a strong effort put forward, it is also an acknowledgement of the beauty and power of music, be it the setting for an intimate slow dance or the soundtrack of an athletic competition. This band is in it for the long haul; firm believers of “grinding and grooving” with the musical goals of presenting quality music with relatable story lines. All members of the Grind are seasoned and accomplished musicians in their own right. Most importantly, they work together to deliver a repertoire of music that is diversified, entertaining and always based “in the groove”. When you check this band out, you will be exposed to a solid cross section of American music; Rock/Blues/Swing/New Orleans/Funk and more. Drawing from influences ranging from Louie Jordan and Fats Domino to Muddy Waters and Hollywood Fats, listeners will be treated to well-constructed tunes featuring strong vocals and tasteful solos always held together and propelled forward by one of the tightest rhythm sections around.

Charlie and his band Iron City are world renowned for keeping the grooving, blues-drenched legacy alive! Charlie Apicella was voted onto the 84th and 86th DownBeat Readers Poll for Guitar. The musical DNA of Charlie’s sound is blues and they have teamed up with the soulful Madame Pat Tandy, the First Lady of New Jersey Jazz to deliver dynamic performances around the NYC area and beyond.

Veterans of the Tri-state Blues scene, Bob Lanza and Al Gold join forces in a new group they call, “Cold In Hand”. Both are singers, songwriters, guitarists and recording artists with their own sound, vision and inspiration. Playing from NYC, NJ to Texas, New Orleans and back again, their energetic up tempo style connects with any age audience. Come check out “Cold in Hand” to see for yourself.

Dave Fields live is an electrifying experience of either a power trio (guitar, bass and drums) or a quartet (guitar, bass, B3 organ and drums). Dave Fields soulful singing is punctuated with a performance of guitar virtuosity, blues, rock and beyond. His song writing stylings will keep you reeling as well as his power as an entertainer. Each performance is unique unto themselves and is a scintillating, mind bending, uplifting event.

Solo or Sideman, Everyone Knows Dave Is King of the Keys. Native New Yorker, keyboardist, singer and songwriter, Dave is a 30 year veteran of the Blues and American Roots music scenes. Dave’s music finds its roots in deep blues, soul and rock and roll. These roots are the foundation of his recent albums and vibrant live shows. His well-received previous albums are rambunctious sets of mostly original material that range from New Orleans second line funk to slow sensual blues, swaggering shuffles and boisterous rocking boogie woogie.

“Imagine you're preparing a list of today’s top female blues/rock guitarists. If you don’t include Debra Devi, your list is not complete," says American Blues Scene. Devi plays "dreamy blues-rockers and blistering jams" (Relix) flavored with her soulful voice and expressive guitar playing. She's opened for Ana Popovic, Joe Louis Walker, Joan Osborne, Jesse Malin and Marshall Crenshaw, and has performed with Kate Pierson (B-52s) and Cindy Cashdollar. Devi's popular blues glossary The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John) won the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for outstanding book on music.

The brilliant pianist/singer Ed Alstrom teams up with a drummer, and digs deep into the bottomless well of amazing music from New Orleans. Just piano and drums creates a wall of sound for this hilarious, poignant and sometimes uproariously politically-incorrect music. The fare is songs written/recorded by Allan Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Chris Kenner, Ernie K-Doe, Dave Bartholomew, The Spiders, Cousin Joe, and many other greats from the Gumbo City.

Standing before one of America’s truest art forms with an unconditional passion to give the Blues everything she’s got. Eliza Neals, a Detroit born blues-rock star on the rise, honors the gut-wrenching, soul splitting intent the American roots of contemporary blues represents with inspired songwriting, live performances, and magic not seen in years…

Eric Heilner grew up in a household imbued with classical music. He took piano lessons starting at age 6 and advanced so far as to tie for third place in a New Jersey children’s piano competition at age 13. In the 1970s, Heilner toured the East Coast with a variety of different bands playing both the club and college concert circuit and “opened up” for the such acts as The Byrds, The Raspberries, and the then rising Bruce Springsteen. His closest brush with fame and fortune was when he played keyboards on an album produced by Jack Douglas – most well known for producing John Lennon, Aerosmith, etc. Eric Heilner has performed with many of the top blues acts in the North Jersey area including Dean Shot, Al Gold, Arthur Neilson, Joe Taino, Better Off Dead and many others.

Fish Eyed Blues spins a mix of traditional and contemporary blues along with blues rock, giving it their own interpretation, merging the spirit and the soul of the blues with the energy of rock and roll, while respecting the artists that created it. Add in improv jams mixed with rock and funk, Fish Eyed Blues takes the blues and gives it its own makeover with originality and a rock and roll energy.

It's all about SOUL, and Gypsy Eyes' singular mission is to bring it to every man, woman and child that comes out to see their live show. Gypsy Eyes is one of northern New Jersey's premier Rock/Soul/Blues band. They are fronted by the dynamic Kate Ryan on smoky, gritty vocals, Jonathan Purisima on blues drenched lead guitar, Rich Petersen on the steady grooving bass, and the greasy funk of Damian Dimeo's slinky drums. Greater than the sum of their parts, Gypsy Eyes recalls the bygone era of real music, played by real musicians. They pull from all of their influences such as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Since their formation in 2010, every stage, bar, club, house party and juke joint they've played have all been left in complete and utter rubble. Their shows are the perfect mix of hip shaking soul, down home blues and a thundering rock as they switch seamlessly between various styles as one cohesive unit. And as they cover a wide musical ground with their thrilling live shows and their top shelf musicianship one thing remains. It is it their mantra. It is their calling. It is their mission statement: It's all about SOUL.

James Barnes, aka JB, has a deep love and passion for the blues. Born in Cleveland Ohio, JB migrated with his family to the NJ area during 1965. Also having “Mississippi Roots” from his father’s side of the family, JB developed a strong desire to play the blues while studying many of the great blues legends and artists from the past and present. During 2016, JB was officially recognized and inducted as a “Great Blues Artist” in the New Jersey Blues Hall of Fame. His debut CD released during 2023, JB’s Favorite Things, has helped to launch him as an independent artist. JB performs throughout the NJ, NY, PA and DE areas. The band BBD Rhythm & Blues was founded by JB in 2012 and has been going strong for 11+ years. JB’s desire is to help keep the blues alive and well while paying tribute to the blues artists who helped pave the way.

The Jersey Swamp Cats are a guitar and piano driven band entertaining crowds in North Jersey and NYC with their own brand of jump blues and vintage Rock’n Roll since 2018. The Cats perform creative renditions of classic tunes by world class artists, as well as original music inspired by them. The release of their CD “Go Cat Go” in 2019 saw lots of airplay on blues and roots radio stations, and the music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Reverbnation.

The Cats are “Filthy Rich” MacPherson, Gerry Gladston, Larry Ghiorsi, & Chris Reardon.

A sound deeply rooted in the blues with a hard hitting heavy funk/rock groove is what you will hear when Joe Stuby & Rocking Horse perform. Influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Paliament/Funkadelic, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Allman Brothers and Sly Stone form the core of the sound as spontaneity and improvisation highlight their live shows. This Blues/Funk/Rock JamBand crossover provides an exciting and passionate journey every time they take the stage.

Started his career in San Juan, PR playing school auditoriums and house parties at the age of 11. By 1972 he was a seasoned guitarist performing at naval bases and rock clubs. He has shared the stage with Johnny Winter, John Mayall, Koko Taylor, Pat Travers, Santana, Etta James, and many others. Joe’s style is very unique and complex incorporating delta blues with Caribbean rhythms, Chicago blues and a twist of country travel picking style.

Johnny Charles' guitar influences are vast...from early Yardbirds to Roy Buchanan to the jazz style of Harry Leahey. He’s a W.C. Handy/Blues Foundation regional award winner and has shared the stage with blues greats such as B.B. King, Roy Buchanan, Jimmy Vaughan, John Mayall, Johnny Copeland, Hubert Sumlin, and Ronnie Earl. Each night the band delivers blues, blues rock, soul, and funk - both cover tunes and originals.

A New Jersey based blues-influenced band with a rock solid drive featuring Emilio Ramil on drums and John Dee on Bass. Jack Pic's blistering leads and guitar work combined with Wayne Kessler's tasteful rhythm guitar and unsurpassed ripping harmonica leads complete the band and it's sound. All four take turns on the mic for a rich vocal presence. Original compositions blend seamlessly with crafted covers of rock, blues & R&B influences.

Northern New Jersey's first choice for new and retro blues entertainment.

Seth performs as a solo act and with his own trio in many clubs, restaurants, concerts, hotels, senior centers, nursing homes, hospitals, casinos, etc. as well as working with many other bands and artists. He’s performed with many established artists and groups such as Buddy Guy, Carey Bell, Big Jack Johnson, Pinetop Perkins, Little Mike & The Tornados, Jimmy Dawkins, Shemekia Copeland, and many others.

With 30+ years of experience, Shadetree Mechanics has made a reputation for bringing excitement to every performance. Comprised of talented musicians Guitarist Mark (Redman) Schmalzried, Bassist Elmo, drummer Brad Lewis, Saxophonist Steve Gottlieb, and Keyboardist Fred Lind. Rounding out the lineup is dynamic lead vocalist Mike The Rev Rochelle, originally from Chicago, and now residing in New Jersey. They play a mix of Blues/Rock/R&B that is highly energetic, toe-tapping, and crowd-pleasing. This is a "must see" band. Shadetree Mechanics was inducted into the NY/NJ Blues Hall Of Fame and are 3-time champions of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC), resulting in them representing the Jersey Shore at the IBC in Memphis.

King Solomon Hicks, the 26-year-old guitar phenom from Harlem, New York is an American guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and composer. He has invested in music from a very young age and started playing guitar at just six years old. Growing up in Harlem he was constantly surrounded by music. Hicks witnessed performances that made a significant impact on his ambitions as a musician and he says: “When you’re around good musicians, it gives you that spark. “Being around those types of musicians also taught me to NOT be the fastest guitar player I wanted to be the one who knew the most riffs and drew on a lot of knowledge so I could play anything, and with anyone.

He paid his own success forward by teaching music for the Children's Aid Society, working with the Harlem Arts Alliance and the New York City Jazzmobile.

Silk City Recording Artist Son Lewis has been an active figure on the NJ Blues scene since the early 1970's. He has worked in performance as a solo artist and with The Son Lewis Band and (recently) The Fabulous Rhythm Aces now for nearly 50 years. His music has been featured on TV in NCIS and in both major studio and independent films, as well as world-wide Blues Radio and Podcasts. Son has proven to be a faithful and loving interpreter of classic Blues and traditional Americana music in live performance, TV, radio, and on recordings.

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Blend the energy of rock with the complexity of jazz and the dynamics of blues and you just might end up with a unique style. New Jersey based guitarist Andy Rothstein’s unique musical voice can be attributed partly to his diverse musical influences, and partly to the various electronic modifications that he has developed for electric guitars.

Andy has released 3 highly acclaimed recordings as a leader. His most recent release Truth Against the World (2022) spent over a year on the Roots Music Report Jazz charts, finishing #1 in the Top Fusion Album Chart for 2022.

On Truth Against the World, Andy teamed up with an all-star cast of musicians including bassist Tony Senatore (Rook, Genya Raven), Trumpeter Steve Jankowski (Nile Rodgers & Chic, Chicago, Blood, Sweat &Tears), Drummer Tom Cottone (Randy Brecker, One More Once, Glen Burtnik), Saxophonist Kenny Gioffre (Smokey Robinson, Blood Sweat & Tears), Vocalist Audrey Martells (Nile Rodgers & Chic) and Keyboardist D Pappas (Smokey Robinson).

The Atlanta Cafe Band based in Stillwater, NJ, consists of 4 seasoned players of the blues/southern/country rock scene who have been together for the past decade playing hundreds of shows while at the same time receiving very respectable airplay and sales of their CD’s "Waiting all night” and “American Spirit”. “American Spirit” features the amazing slide guitar work of Sonny Landreth on the song “Playin’ To Live”. Their own compositions of blues/southern rock styled tunes along with a different take on selected covers has garnered them a dedicated following in the New York tri state area. Over the years the members have been in bands with players from or in concert/festivals with many national acts including: Sonny Landreth, Scott Sharrard, Blackfoot/Skynryd, Vanilla Fudge, George Porter, Jon Cleary, Tab Benoit, Marcia Ball, Anthony Gomes, The Good Rats, Mickey Gilley, Hank Williams Jr, Buck Owens, Willie Nile, Garland Jefferies, Tedeshi Trucks, Brewer and Shipley, From Good Homes and many, many others. They have appeared at the Black Potatoe Fest, The Highlands Fest at Waterloo, WNTI Stage Music Fest, Big Brew Fest , NJ Food and Music Fest, and Michael Arnones’ Craw Fish Festival where they conducted a masters session and shared the stage with Grammy award winners George Porter, Marcia Ball and Jon Cleary. They also have worked with Homegrown Radio NJ and WNTI at various events and benefits for the stations. Come on out to hear them as their music will put a smile on your face, a stomp in your feet and a boogie in your pocket!

Formerly known as BC & The Blues Crew, The BC Combo has been performing since the early 90s at festivals, concerts and events throughout the Northeastern U.S. The band reels you in with their signature style, wit and humor; recognized by audiences across the region and abroad. New Orleans native, Bev Conklin (BC), has an extraordinary compassion and grace that compliments her broad range of vocal styles and effortless power in voice. Wayne Smith on guitar and vocals, is the band leader, producer and arranger on all their material, insuring a new show experience with his influences from his icons. Chicago/Detroit native, Joe Mac... pours the tone and grooves on guitar. Retired fireman, Glenn Spadone puts his vibe on drums. And returning this year on bass and vocals, Nick Roberti. …”It’s all about having fun!”

The Fabulous Rhythm Aces are a Blues, Jump, Swing and Rock & Roll band based in NJ & NY Hudson Valley

"A delicious medley of authentic New Orleans Jazz with a side of Creole." The Gumbas play music that will make you happy and want to jump for joy and get their influences from the city that started it all in American music, New Orleans. The Gumbo Gumbas blend the elements of jazz, zydeco, R&B, funk, and rock into a big old fashioned southern stew. The band consists of Joe Grillo/Saxes and Lead vocals; Steve Rice Accordion/vocals; Steve Schupsky drums/vocals; David Anthony, drums/percussion; Lars Wendt, Trombone; Vinny Borselli, Trumpet; Steph Munter, Bari sax and Clarinet; and Greg Novick Bass. The band released their first album “Back to NOLA” in 2020.

One of the most entertaining high energy blues bands in the area, The Incinerators can be counted on to uncompromisingly play the music they love; hard driving blues. Founded by extremely capable ax man John Fernandez and supported by Gary Neuwirth on harp, Rich Coccoli on guitar, Steve Smith on bass, Chris Martell on percussion and the Hot and Steamy vocal stylings of Little Miss Kimmy White. Their sound is solidly rooted in the blues tradition of the last several decades, yet it is modern, fun and interestingly delivered and explosively guaranteed to set any crowd on fire. If you’re a fan of searing guitars, blistering harmonica and smokey vocals all played over a foot stomping back beat, then you’re going to really enjoy these guys. Their music “aims at the feet” so be forewarned and bring your dancing shoes because you can bet you’re going to be out on the floor joining in on the fun. Veterans of international & large stage blues festivals, intimate acoustic venues, and everything in between, their powerful blues style has brought them critical acclaim wherever they’ve performed. Check them out, you will very happy you did.

The Mad Slap Tones specialize in making vintage music new again. We're a high-energy, roots rock, rhythm and blues band somewhere between Sun Records and Chess Records. We feature music of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brian Setzer, Elvis, Little Richard and many more. We span numerous decades and genres — but make it vintage. We’re full of fun and octane to get your joint jump'n!

The New Watchdog Blues Band is a band from Northern New Jersey. Formed in 2016, our repertoire includes interpretations of classic R&B, Blues, Funk, Soul, Jump and Swing. The evolution of the band was a natural progression for us, as all of the members have ties to the New Jersey Blues scene. For more info, go to: https://www.reverbnation.com/thenewwatchdogbluesband8

The Outcrops were named "NJ Band of the Year" ('The Aquarian, 2022) for "three reasons: a work ethic that makes them one of the Dirty Jerz’s hardest-working bands... guitar-playing that fuses the sounds of Duane Allman and Jerry Garcia, and a refreshing fusion of roots, soul, blues, funk, and psychedelic rock that sounds wholly new while comfortably familiar." Cassidy Rain & Bryan Schroeder (who formed the band in 2016) pride themselves on playing music with heart, often choosing B-side tunes to put their own spin on. They have dug their roots into the music of rock'n'roll, blues, jazz, funk, folk, and soul legends. Within their show, they may pay homage to bands such as the Grateful Dead & the Band, or artists such as BB King & Aretha Franklin. Their original music stems from that same soulful soil, ranging from gritty blues to upbeat Americana.

The Powertones are a crowd-pleasin’, jump swingin’, roots rockin’ band from Central Jersey. Their motto is simple: “If the audience is having fun, we’re doing it right!” They stand out from the crowd with their authentic sounds of an era when big cars ruled, Drive-in theatres were hot and Rock & Roll was young. The band features Gladys Bryant (bass & vocals) & Mike Post (guitar & vocals) and performs as a duo, trio, or a full band.

Robert Hill has won awards for his slide guitar work and his songwriting. He has shared the stage with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Debbie Davies, Kim Simmonds, Rory Block and Chris Smithers, to name a few. The five piece Robert Hill Band includes guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and two stellar vocalists, Joanne Lediger and Paulina Hill. They have performed at major blues festivals throughout the U.S., and toured Spain twice. Stellar guitar work and outstanding vocalists - these guys are pros, the real deal!

Together for over 11 years and with a combined 100+ years of playing experience, the Uptown Boogie Band is the band (4 piece) with the experiencea nd knowledge of putting on a great show with popular music from the 40’s to the present! Because the band has over 100+ songs in their repertoire, they can tailor the music to whatever is called for. Popular blues, swing and classic rock are typical styles of music this band can play for your wedding, cocktail hour, party, restaurant or charity event. Very reasonable, mature musicians, check out our appearances, YouTube videos and mp3 music files on line. Band Personnel: Paul Weisenstein – Guitar and vocals, Kurt Colon – Electric/upright Bass and vocals, Larry Lipschultz –Harmonica, George Schaefer – Drums

Timeless Groove describes both the era of rock and blues music we love (all of it!) and that we play music that fits in the middle of the not too hard and not too soft. Timeless Groove is a three piece band consisting of Anthony on vocals and guitar, Brian on the drums (and acoustic guitar/vocals), and Jim on the keys. All three have been playing live music for several decades.

Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll band based out of Northern New Jersey. In 2019, Trevor finished recording his debut album "Everyday Angel" at Sonic Boom Studios with Anthony Krizan, Spin Doctors, Lenny Kravitz, and Noel Redding. A compilation of original blues, soul, and rock & roll tunes, the album guests include Bobby Whitlock, Coco Caramel, John Ginty of The Alman Betts Band, Anthony Krizan and Bob Lanza. It was met with critical acclaim and notched “The Best of 2019” sitting in at #24 on Roots Music Report.