HOT BLUES FOR THE HOMELESS

With a career that spans over three decades, John Hammond is one of handful of white blues musicians who was on the scene at the beginning of the first blues renaissance of the mid-'60s. That revival, brought on by renewed interest in folk music around the U.S., brought about career boosts for many of the great classic blues players, including Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, and Skip James. Some critics have described Hammond as a white Robert Johnson, and Hammond does justice to classic blues by combining powerful guitar and harmonica playing with expressive vocals and a dignified stage presence. Within the first decade of his career as a performer, Hammond began crafting a niche for himself that is completely his own: the solo guitar man, harmonica slung in a rack around his neck, reinterpreting classic blues songs from the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Yet, as several of his mid-'90s recordings for the Pointblank label demonstrate, he's also a capable bandleader who plays wonderful electric guitar. This guitar-playing and ensemble work can be heard on Found True Love and Got Love If You Want It, both for the Pointblank/Virgin label.

After attending Antioch College in Ohio on a scholarship for a year, he left to pursue a career as a blues musician. By 1962, with the folk revival starting to heat up, Hammond had attracted a following in the coffeehouse circuit, performing in the tradition of the classic country blues singers he loved so much. By the time he was just 20 years old, he had been interviewed for the New York Times before one of his East Coast festival performances, and he was a certified national act. In the late '60s and early '70s, Hammond worked with electric blues ensembles, recording with people like Band guitarist Robbie Robertson (and other members of the Band when they were still known as Levon Helm & the Hawks), Duane Allman, Dr. John, harmonica wiz Charlie Musselwhite, Michael Bloomfield, and David Bromberg.

Although he's a multi-dimensional artist, one thing Hammond has never professed to be is a songwriter. In the early years of his career, it was more important to him that he bring the art form to a wider audience by performing classic -- in some cases forgotten -- songs. Now, more than 30 years later, Hammond continues to do this, touring all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe from his base in northern New Jersey. He continued to release albums into the new millennium with three discs on the Back Porch label, including Ready for Love in 2002, produced David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, In Your Arms Again in 2005, and Push Comes to Shove in 2007. Whether it's with a band or by himself, Hammond can do it all. Seeing him perform live, one still gets the sense that some of the best is still to come from this energetic bluesman.

Milkcow's Calf Blues [The Best of John Hammond, 1990] (MP3)

So Many Roads, So Many Trains [The Best of John Hammond, 1990] (MP3)

Homeless Blues [Long As I Have You, 1998] (MP3)

Everything Gonna Be Alright [Push Comes To Shove, 2007] (MP3)

Born and raised in Ashland, Mississippi, guitarist Joe Beard grew up with the Murphy brothers, one of whom later found an international following as Matt "Guitar" Murphy. Guitarist Nathan Beauregard lived with Beard's cousin, so he was surrounded by aspiring and veteran blues musicians while growing up, and he began singing at an early age. Beard began to learn guitar at age 17 from Ernest Scruggs, a neighbor, before heading to Chicago.

Beard moved to Rochester, N.Y., and from time to time would visit one of his brothers in Chicago. He quickly became enamored of the blues being played in clubs there by people like Jimmy Reed and Sonny Boy Williamson. Beard sat in with John Lee Hooker one night and received encouraging words from Hooker, and also later sat in with his idol, Muddy Waters.

Beard befriended classic blues guitarist Son House, who was a neighbor in Rochester. Beard worked as an electrician by day and would occasionally play out at night and on weekends for most of the 1960s on through to the '80s. He has a reputation as one of the best local players around Rochester, and though he may not be a household name in other parts of the U.S., he toured Europe in 1983 and did studio and stage work that same year with Buster Benton, Lafayette Leake and Memphis Slim.

Beard recorded his first album, "No More Cherry Rose", in 1990 followed by an album with Ronnie Earl's band on the AudioQuest label, "Blues Union" (1996). Accompanying him are Hammond B-3 organist Bruce Katz and tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman. The album was a critical success, winning Offbeat Magazine's Blues Album of the Year award. He followed it up with 1998's" For Real" and 2000's "Dealin'", both records featuring Duke Robilard.

Think (MP3)

Little By Little (MP3)

German Blues (MP3)

Give Me Central 209 (MP3)

(Recorded live WITR, 2003 & 2004)

Blues singer-guitarist Steve Grills and his band The Roadmasters have been turning audiences on with their deep roots blues music for over 12 years. His respect for the blues tradition has made his group one of the region’s most popular blues bands. Steve’s music career began as a sideman working with legendary harmonica man Shakin’ Smith. Steve recently appeared on Smith’s critically acclaimed CD "Harmonica Wizard" playing guitar along with his idol, blues legend Robert Lockwood Jr. Steve has also worked with such noted musicians as organist Bill Doggett, Joe Beard, Steve Freund, and Greg "Fingers" Taylor, harmonica player for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.

The band’s repertoire includes songs from the artists who inspired Steve to pursue the blues, including Freddie King, Earl Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Albert Collins, Otis Rush, Magic Sam and Robert Lockwood Jr. His expertise and knowledge of blues music led to his consultation as blues advisor for the Jimi Hendrix MCA CD release "Blues". Steve has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Rochester for a course on the history of blues.

A performance by Steve Grills and his band The Roadmasters takes the audience on a trip through a glorious musical landscape, the foundation of American popular music known as the Blues.

Frosty (MP3)

Chris Beard joins the leaders of the newest generation poised to take music into the next century. Beard was born into the Blues of Rochester, New York on August 29, 1957 as son of blues guitarist Joe Beard, who is just now receiving recognition as a recording artist. Chris grew up surrounded by blues players and the music. Naturally there were many greats passing through the house as they came to town to do shows with Joe and his band. Buddy Guy and Matt Murphy are just two of the many ace guitarists Chris remembers from those early days.

At age 15, Beard was working steadily with an established R&B band, now known as national recording artists, CAMEO. Invited to go on the road, mom said no, he had to finish school. After years of working as a sideman in local bands and with his father, Chris took the big step of fronting his own group and setting out to establish himself as a serious modern Blues artist. With songwriting influences acknowledged such as Luther Allison, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Johnny “guitar” Watson, this young man has also carved out an identity for himself as a talented writer.

In June of 1998, Beard released his first CD “Barwalkin”, which earned him a 1998 nomination for the W.C. Handy Award, “Best New Blues Artist”, the Oscar of the blues world. In 1999 he won the Muddy Waters Award by Blues Beat Magazine, “New Talent of the Year”. His next release in 2001, “Born to Play the Blues”, Chris produced himself and showcases his own feeling for the blues. His powerful and passionate vocals, punctuated by his talent for strong, clean guitar lines, result in a sound that is emotionally charged and impeccably played. Chris Beard’s third CD, “Live Wire”, also produced by Chris, was released in 2005.

Never Had No Blues [Live Wire, 2005] (MP3)

Street of Broken Dreams [Live Wire, 2005] (MP3)

Ten Toes Up [Born To Play The Blues, 2001] (MP3)

As a singer and guitar player, Fred Vine is a familiar name at coffeehouses, festivals and clubs throughout upstate New York. He is a native of Rochester, NY.

Fred is primarily a folk blues player. His fingerpicking and bottleneck slide blues are expressive
and accomplished. His musical tastes are eclectic. Using a traditional fingerstyle he expands his repertoire to include dazzling arrangements of jazz, ragtime, original and contemporary songs.

Fred has the talent and open-mindedness to be flexible with whatever audience he is working with… "Really what I do is go in and make sure that everybody has a good time".

Fred fell in love with the guitar when he first picked it up at age twelve. With the sound of the Beatles in his head, he began teaching himself by ear. Later in his career, Fred studied jazz with renowned Rochester guitarist Dick Longale. He also broadened his knowledge by taking Music Theory at The Hochstein School of Music.

Among his many influences are Rev. Gary Davis, Robert Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Muddy Waters, Chet Atkins and Duke Ellington. As an electric guitar player in rhythm and blues bands during the 70's, Fred had the opportunity to share the stage with legendary performers including Muddy Waters. Recently as a solo act he has shared the stage with John Hammond, Dave Van Ronk and Guy Davis at The 12 Corners Coffeehouse. Fred's passion for the music inspired him to research it. He developed "The History of Blues and Jazz", a presentation designed for continuing education. He also teaches guitar.

Fred has recorded two CD's. "Mister Freddie Blues" is a collection of solo acoustic blues and jazz including two live tracks from a 12 Corners Coffeehouse performance. "Cruising on the Belle" is a mixed bag of folk songs he plays on board the tour boat "The Colonial Belle" on The Erie Canal. His music can be heard on theWITR (89.7 FM in Rochester) radio show "Bad Dog Blues".

Upright bassist Brian Williams is a veteran Rochester muscians who currently works with Bobby Henrie and the Goners (Rockabilly, Swing), Lumière (French Jazz) and Manouche A Trois (Gypsy Jazz & Bop).

From upstate New York, Gordon Munding specializes in acoustic Blues & American roots music. Frank DeBlase, of Rochester's City Newspaper describes Munding's style as: "He dances across old National strings with red clay overtones in the swampy air. Crisscrossing with Appalachian, Bluegrass & Delta Blues, arising from the smoke of an impending collision" (July, 2006).

Recently, Gordon started a weekly tribute to Son House, who was a great influence on Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters among others. Eddie James "House" lived a mile away from Beale Street Cafe in Rochester, where musicians show up every Thursday night to celebrate Son House and all kinds of early blues styles.

Gordon has opened for many national acts, including Doc Watson, Richard Thompson, and Jerry Jeff Walker (of "Mr. Bojangles" fame). He has fronted local & regional bands along with his solo career, playing bottle neck slide and fingerstyle guitar. He performs & teaches the oldtime styles for entertainment as well as preservation of this American treasure. He teaches in blues workshops, festivals and schools. He also teaches privately in his home.

Down Home Blues 1995 with Blue Delta, was Gordon's first Cd. This album demonstrates early blues influences of Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Blake, among others. Garnering favorable reviews, including "Deftly combines elements of Bluegrass & prewar blues" (Aug.1995 - Dan Bindert of Rochester Scene Magazine).

Blue Mountain Ballad 2005 with Walkin' Willie, was a tribute to old time Country blues ("Oh Brother") styles. This album received many positive reviews including Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and City Newspaper. Both Cd's received radio play locally & regionally, throughout New York State.

Curtis Waterman is a Syracuse area music award winner and self-taught harmonica player. He studied the styles of Sonny Boy Williams II (Rice Miller), James Cotton, Junior Wells, Little Water, Paul Delay and Walter Horton. He has grown to be one of Syracuse’s finest and distinctive harp players. His style has been described as “other worldly” by Skip Murphy of the Syracuse New Times and as “blazing harmonica” by Ed Ivey of Blues Reviews. Curtis has played with many of Syracuse’s finest musicians which include the Gonstermachers and Westcott Jug Suckers.