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musical experience, with each
has what it takes to lift the blues ples Choice award, a historic first
108 H BANDS The Blues Foundation • blues.org to the next level, and is a mustsee
for the southwest Florida chap-
in Memphis for the 2016 IBC. ter. The band seeks to expand
upon the work of Hendrix, Clapton,
and Vaughn, blending tradition
with innovation, expanding on
Jason Vivone and
the Billy Bats and reinterpreting blues classics,
Kansas City Blues Society and making a mark on the format
with some well-crafted music
Jason Vivone and the Billy Bats of their own. The style is guitardriven
modern electric blues, led
produce a sound that fuses elements
of slide guitar, hokum, by John Allender’s powerful guitar
work and backed up by bass
gospel, blues, and Kansas City
rhythm. Vivone plays guitar and player Mark Appleby mixing funk,
sings. He is backed by Paula Crawford
on guitar, Rick MacIvor on key-
stylings over the solid pocket play-
slap bass, and straight-ahead rock
boards, Jacque Garoutte on bass, ing of well-seasoned and experienced
drummer Gary Van Gorp.
and Matt Bustamante on drums.
This fall will mark the Billy Bats’
10th year recording and performing
in Kansas City. “Jason Vivone John Calvin
is that rare musician who taps
Brewer Band
deep into the roots of the blues to
extract the humor as well as the
Arkansas River
Blues Society
pathos,” says Dave Rubin, recipient
of the KBA in Journalism. A 21st-century blues act, the
John Calvin Brewer Band blends
Jimmy Nick and
high energy, blistering guitar,
and heart-bleeding soulfulness
to take you on a journey
Don’t Tell Mama
deep inside your mind. Residing
in central Arkansas, guitar-
Crossroads Blues
Society of Illinois
ist/vocalist John Calvin Brewer,
Jimmy Nick is an old-fashioned bassist Shannon Sabbatini, drummer
Paul Stivitts, backup vocal-
guitar-slinging blues prodigy who
spent his teenage years being ist Miranda Brewer, and B3 player
schooled by legendary bluesmen Don Collins have muddy water
in the famous Chicago clubs of flowing through their veins. The
Kingston Mines, Rosa’s Lounge, band is electric, tight as a glove,
and B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted. Today and mind-blowing every time.
his mission is to expose the next
generation to the blues. His band,
Don’t Tell Mama, features Rodney
“Hot Rod” Brown on saxo-
Johnny Fink and
the Intrusion
phone, Lowell Todd on bass guitar,
and Joel Bear on drums—a solid
Cincy Blues Society
foundation for Nick’s electrifying Hailing from the southwestern
guitar work, fresh harp, clever lyrics,
Ohio/northern Kentucky region,
and animated stage theat-
the band was formed in the win-
rics. Their high-energy blues and ter of 1992 with real-life guitar
rock ’n’ roll captivates audiences hero Johnny Fink pulling together
and forges instant fans. Find out a powerful lineup of talented players.
what Jimmy Nick will do to you!
Featuring Doug Moore on
drums and Matt Newman on bass,
the band continues into a new era
John Allender Band as a tighter, more dynamic threepiece
Southwest Florida
unit. Its original music con-
Blues Society
tains true conviction and passion
This guitar, bass, and drums often missing from others in the
trio won both the 2015 IBC Regional
genre. The Intrusion sports over
Award and the 2015 Peo-
35 years of overall
professional
member sharing an equal passion
for old-school blues. Once they
simply open a song, it becomes
obvious that the band has talent,
originality, and true showmanship.
Johnny Mac Band
Long Island Blues Society
The Johnny Mac Band has been
exciting audiences all over the
New York metropolitan area for
well over a decade. The group
is a five-piece traditional blues
band with a sound that leans
heavily on the vocals of 78-yearold
bluesman Mohair Sam Wylie
and the stinging guitar of Johnny
Mac. The music is punctuated by
the inspired saxophone solos of
Drew Vandewinckel. These strong
instrumental and vocal performances
are laid over the rock-solid
rhythms of Raymond Hauck on
drums and Dave Ice on bass. Their
originals are steeped in the tradition
of the blues masters. This is
not blues-rock. If you love downhome
blues, then their blues will
leave you feeling right at home.
Johnny Max Band
Great Lakes Blues Society
A Johnny Max Band performance
has always proved to be a hugely
entertaining rockin’ and reelin’
event featuring great music punctuated
with a good dose of humor.
Over the course of six critically
acclaimed and commercially accepted
releases, including two
Juno Award nominations and multiple
Maple Blues Award nominations,
Johnny and his partners
have succeeded in bringing the
musical goods and charm of their
live shows. They are Canada’s ambassadors
of a swampy mélange
of blues and R&B that Johnny calls
“roadhouse soul.” If you’re looking
for foot-stompin’, hip-and-shoulder-shakin’
music laid down by
a hard-hitting band, look no further
than the Johnny Max Band!
Joyann Parker
and Sweet Tea
Minnesota Blues Society
Joyann Parker and Sweet Tea bring
the blues in emotionally charged,
powerful original music as well
as a mix of classic covers done in
their own unique style. Dynamic
vocalist, multi-instrumentalist,
songwriter, and front woman Joyann
Parker has surrounded herself
with a supporting cast of
seasoned professional musicians
in guitarist Mark Lamoine, keyboardist
Mick Zampogna, bassist
Michael Carvale, and drummer
Nick Zwack. Joyann Parker and
Sweet Tea bring energy, passion,
and authenticity to every performance.
With a sound reflecting
a large variety of influences,
they create music that moves
not only your feet but your soul.
Juke Rockets
Blues Band
Maine Blues Society
The Juke Rockets Blues Band has
represented at the IBC in Memphis
two of the past three years. Spearheaded
by the powerful vocals of
blues mama Carlene Thornton, the
group has cemented its reputation
as Maine’s No. 1 blues band.
Bassist Steve Mellor and drummer
Tim Woitowitz anchor a rock-solid
rhythm section, driving high-energy
blues and lighting up dance
floors statewide. Newest member
Ron Casillo lends his versatile
guitar chops to crowd-pleasing
covers and exciting originals from
their debut album, Hungry Soul.
Kev Nichols and
Blue Tuesday
Kalamazoo Valley
Blues Association
Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday
have been bringing their exciting
brand of blues to Michigan stages
for the past five years. The rocksolid
rhythm section of Heather
Kulaga on bass and Rex Hambone
on drums sets the steady groove
that lets guitarists Kev Nichols and
32nd International Blues Challenge
BANDS H 109