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32nd International Blues Challenge
The 519 Band
Canada South
Blues Society
The 519 Band is a seven-piece ensemble
based in Windsor, Ontario.
It plays material from a cross section
of soul/blues and rock/blues
styles. The group generates a full
sound from its energetic and assertive
rhythm section and vocals
combined with prominent horn
accompaniment. The band members
are Jamie Thompson, lead
vocal and lead guitar; Kevin Blok,
rhythm guitar and backup vocals;
Rob Balint, bass guitar and
backup vocals; Brian Jones, keyboards;
Steve Johnson, drums;
Carl Helbich, synth horn; and
David Belch, saxophone. All of the
band members love variety in song
selection, and the goal is always
to entertain through the depth
and layers of instrumentation.
A Different
Shade of Blue
Vicksburg Blues Society
At 16, Tom Penton threw down
the gauntlet when he painted a
mural of Stevie Ray Vaughn in
the hallway at his school. A collaboration
that began in 2013,
this band is dedicated to becoming
a top blues act. The group’s
style, steeped in classic blues, is
edgy and fresh. Their traditional
call and response, with a contemporary
kick, keeps the crowd juking.
All the members bring years
of experience in several genres,
and each is a fine result of growing
up with families grounded in
music. Led by guitarist, writer, and
vocalist Tom Penton, the group includes
his cousin Wayne Penton
on bass, classically trained pianist
Jim Grantham on keyboards, and
Devyn Poole adding flair on drums.
Altered Five
Blues Band
Grafton Blues Association
The Milwaukee-based Altered Five
Blues Band performs a delectable
brew of original, contemporary
blues that Living Blues magazine
proclaims is “turning heads across
the Midwest.” The quintet’s third
album, Cryin’ Mercy, reached No.
3 in the iTunes blues store, hit No.
1 on the Roots Music Report blues
album chart, and won Best Self-
Produced CD at the 2015 International
Blues Challenge. According
to the Minneapolis Star Tribune,
front man Jeff Taylor’s voice is
“gloriously gritty.” Downbeat raves
that Jeff Schroedl’s “high-wire guitar
reaches the high bar of mixed
invention and fluidity,” while Blues
Bytes magazine says the group
features “the funkiest rhythm
section outside of Memphis.”
The Amy Ryan Band
Capital Region
Blues Network
Witnessing Amy Ryan’s solo performances
at open-mic sessions,
guitarist Richard Green saw an
opportunity to combine his own
blues guitar chops with a gutsy female
singer with the potential to
lead a great blues band. The Amy
Ryan Band was soon born. Melding
Ryan’s country blues mojo
and Green’s urban blues sensibilities,
this musical partnership
has been rounded out by the addition
of Eric Miller and Steve
Collins on bass and drums, respectively,
whose jazz, funk, and
rock capabilities complete a great
band. With a repertoire that includes
band adaptations of Amy’s
self-penned solo tunes, new band
originals, and select covers, the
Amy Ryan Band rocks the blues.
32nd International Blues Challenge
BANDS H 97