HOT BLUES FOR THE HOMELESS

Aurora "Rory" Block has staked her claim to be one of America's top acoustic blues women, an interpreter of the great Delta blues singers, a slide guitarist par excellence, and also a talented songwriter on her own account. Born and raised in Manhattan by a family that had bohemian leanings, she spent her formative years hanging out with musicians like Peter Rowan, John Sebastian, and Geoff Muldaur, who hung out in her father's sandal shop, before picking up the guitar at the age of ten. Her record debut came two years later, backing her father on The Elektra String Band Project, a concept album. She met guitarist Stefan Grossman, who, like her, was in love with the blues. The pair would often travel to the Bronx to visit Reverend Gary Davis, one of the greatest living bluesmen.

At the tender age of 15 Block left home, hitting the road in true '60s fashion and traveling through the South, where she learned her blues trade at the feet of Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt, her greatest influence, before ending up in Berkeley. It was there that she developed her slide technique (she uses a socket wrench as her slide), but she didn't record until 1975, when she released I'm in Love. After two records for Chrysalis, she recorded the instructional How to Play Blues Guitar for Grossman's Kicking Mule label, and later moved to then-fledgling Rounder, with whom she enjoyed an ongoing relationship. She toured constantly, often playing as many as 250 dates in a year, which kept her away from her family — she'd married and begun having children in the early '70s — but developed her reputation as a strong, vibrant live performer, and one of the best players of old country blues in America.

In addition to her regular albums, Block made a series of instructional records and videos, as well as a children's record, Color Me Wild. Although she had been performing for a long time, the plaudits didn't really begin until 1992, when she won a NAIRD Award for Ain't I a Woman, a feat repeated in 1994 and 1997. In 1996 she began winning W.C. Handy Awards, first for Best Traditional Album (When a Woman Gets the Blues), and in 1997 and 1998 for Best Traditional Blues Female Artist. In 1997 she was elected to the CAMA Hall of Fame, and in 1999 she received yet another Handy Award, for Best Acoustic Blues Album (Confessions of a Blues Singer). She remained busy in the early part of the 2000s, releasing six albums, including a live recording. 2005's From the Dust drew raving critical reviews, as did 2006's The Lady and Mr. Johnson, an album that sees Block taking on select songs of her musical hero, idol, and biggest influence, Robert Johnson. A digital video disc, The Guitar Artistry of Rory Block, was issued in 2008. In 2009 she released Blues Walkin' Like a Man: A Tribute To Son House.

My Black Mama [Blues Walkin' Like a Man: A Tribute To Son House, 2009] (MP3)

County Farm Blues [Blues Walkin' Like a Man: A Tribute To Son House, 2009] (MP3)

Terraplane Blues [The Lady and Mr. Johnson, 2006] (MP3)

Last Fair Deal Gone Down [Last Fair Deal, 2003] (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.