2017 - Page 6 of 9 - Cascade Blues Association Archive

The Aladdin Theater Welcomes Robert Randolph & The Family Band

2017 March, Past PDX Blues Event

“Robert Randolph is an American Original,” says Blue Note Records’ President Don Was. “He has mastered what is, arguably, the most complex instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts street-corner church and Bonnaroo.”

Robert Randolph & The Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album Live at the Wetlands in 2002. The band followed with three studio recordings over the next eight years which, together with tireless touring and unforgettable performances at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, won them an expanding and passionate fan base. Randolph’s unprecedented prowess on his instrument garnered him a spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list, and also attracted the attention of such giants as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, who have collaborated with him on stage and in the studio.

Robert Randolph brings his intensely driving live performance celebrating his latest release Lickety Split to The Aladdin Theater on Saturday, April 1 for an 8:00 pm show. Tickets are $25.00 advance through Ticketfly.com and $27.00 at the door day of show. This is an all ages event. The Aladdin Theater is located at 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue.

What’s on Tap for March’s General Membership Meeting …

2017 March, General Meetings

What’s on Tap for General Membership Meeting

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, March 1 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Mark Shark
Second Electric Set – Sister Mercy

If you look at the BluesNotes calendar for March you’ll easily see why Portland is in love with the blues. So many local heroes and a plethora of national touring artists coming through the city this month. The Cascade Blues Association is always proud to get things moving in the right direction each month with our monthly general membership meeting, offering two sets of music acts that you will definitely want to catch. This month we’re presenting two that should surely raise the roof with excitement.

Opening the evening will be an acoustic set from a fairly newcomer to the Portland area, but someone who has certainly raised the bar for all since relocating here. Mark Shark was born in St. Louis Missouri some years back and after spending 35 years in LA carving out a musical career performing with many renowned artists (Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, John Trudell and many others) he has transplanted himself and his talents to the beautiful City of Roses, Portland Oregon. Warmly welcomed into the thriving music scene here Mark has been privileged to play and record with Northwest Legends Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones, David Kahl, Joe McCarthy, Brian Foxworth, Steve Kerin, Louis Pain, Ed Neumann, Jimi Bott, Ken Scandlyn, Jesse Samsel, Dean Mueller and Julie Amici, Karen Lovely, Ben Rice, Mitch Kashmar, Carlton Jackson, Ian and Chris Miller, and Jake Ray.

A multi-instrumentalist, Mark is a master at many strings instruments along with the guitar, including mandolin, banjo, ukulele, lap and pedal steel guitars and more. In addition to composing, playing and recording, Mark is also a busy author (Hal Leonard) and educator. He is currently teaching at Portland Music Company at Beaverton, Division and soon the Broadway location as well.

“It isn’t easy moving to a new city and reshaping your career, notes Mark, “but all of these good folks extended their hand in friendship, took me in and gave me a place to play and teach and I couldn’t be more happy or grateful to be here.”

For the second set of the night we will have the Cascade Blues Association’s 2016 International Blues Challenge representatives Sister Mercy. This band possesses a high energy, blues driven sound. Lead singer April Brown is mesmerizing with her powerful, beautiful presence, full range vocals and complete joy in performance. The band is filled with talented musicians that have a strong background in Portland’s scene. Steven Savoie creates memorable licks on guitar and Roger Espinor (drums) Ron Camacho (bass) and Debby Espinor (keyboards) hold the rhythms down tight. The band were semi-finalists at the IBC in Memphis and received a nomination for best new band at the 2015 Muddy Awards. This dynamic performing band, Sister Mercy presents original music that is a pleasure for the ears and a show that is a feast for the eyes.

And if the musical sets are not enough, remember that you will also have the chance to win CDs and tickets to events just by attending. Make sure that you received your free drawing ticket at the door. We’ll also have our multi-disc winner take all drawing for only a $1.00 per ticket chance. Buy as many tickets as you’d like, your purchase goes right back into allowing the CBA to bring you events and our paper.

See you at The Melody Ballroom for another great night of music and friends!

New Music To Note – March 2017

2017 March, New Music To Note

Here’s a list of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:

Annika Chambers – Wild & Free (Under The Radar Music Group)
Billy D & The Hoodoos – Overnight Success (Rokdablu Records)
Corey Dennison Band – Corey Dennison Band (Delmark Records)
Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band – Standing On Faith (Corey P Ledet Publishing Company)
Dan Bubien – Grinding These Gears (Self Produced)
David Bromberg Band – The Blues, The Whole Blues And Nothing But The Blues (Red House Records)
Gary Hoey – Dust & Bones (Provogue Records)
Ilana Katz Katz – Movin’ On (Regina Royale Records)
Iron Bridge Band – Against The Grain (Messej Media and Publishing)
Jack Mack & The Heart Attack – Back To The Shack (SSR Freeroll)
James “Buddy” Rogers – By My Side (JBR Records)
JL Fulks – On Down The Road (JL Fulks Enterprises)
Matty Wall – Blue Skies (Hipster Dumpster Records)
NattyBone – Boneifide Blues Tunes (Self Produced)
Nick Moss Band – From The Root To The Fruit (Blue Bella)
The Hitman Blues Band – The World Moves On (Nerus Records)
The Jimmys – Live From Transyvania At Sighisoara Blues Festival (Brown Cow Productions)

The 2017 Walla Walla Guitar Festival gets (even) LARGER!

2017 March, Past PDX Blues Event

Now in their sixth year, The Walla Walla Guitar festival has gotten even bigger than ever before. Combining forces with Feast Walla Walla, you’ll be treated to amazing national and regional acts, along with gourmet food and wine offerings. This multi-venue event will host approximately thirty bands performing in downtown Walla Walla starting with a jam on Thursday, April 6, with the main festival taking place Friday, April 7 through Sunday, April 9.

It all opens up at Sapolil Cellars on Thursday night with a pre-festival jam hosted by Randy Oxford and Robin Barrett.

On Friday, the festival officially kicks off with a 7:00 pm performance at Walla Walla Elks by Alligator recording artist and multiple Blues Music Award winner, including the 2013 BB King Entertainer of the Year, Curtis Salgado.

Friday will continue with The Friday Kick-Off Party, at The Eagles, The Elks, The VFW and Sapolil Cellars with performances from Junkyard Janes celebrating their 20^th Anniversary, Shoot Jake, Brett “Bad Blood” Benton, Iguana Hat, Frog Hollow and Josephine Fox.

On Saturday, an acoustic showcase will begin at noon at The Elks with two acts; Chicago’s Jaik Willis and glass neck guitar master Ned Evett. Multi-platinum awarded master guitarist Pete Anderson will appear at The Elks. And the “Large Show” will be held in the Feats Party Tent with Robin Barret & The Coyote Kings featuring Tiph Dames, and The Mannish Boys All Stars with Sugaray Rayford, Kid Ramos, Anthony Geraci, Jimi Bott, Willie J. Campbell and Allan Walker. The Guitar Crawl begins at 8:00 pm at Sapolil Cellars with Debra Arlyn and Rafael Tranquilino, while at The VFW Post 992 The Thunder Brothers and Vaughn Jensen will hold the stage. The Walla Walla Eagles will host The Randy Oxford Band along with Polly O’Keary and The Rhythm Method. An all-star jam will be hosted by Vaughn Jensen from midnight ‘til 1:45 AM at the VFW to end out the night.

On Sunday Morning, the Downtown Gospel Brunch will feature a gourmet breakfast buffet while International Blues Challenge third place winner Rae Gordon will provide Southern Gospel performances, as you enjoy your Mimosas and Bloody Marys!

The Coyote Kings Invitational Walla Walla Guitar Festival is brought to you by Robin Barrett & Coyote Kings Tourism ,Walla Walla, The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, The Walla Walla Blues Society, CH2M, The Washington Blues Society, The Cascade Blues Association, The Inland Empire Blues Society and the Blues Therapy Radio Show.

The WWFGF is a 21 and over festival. For tickets and additional information, please visit http://wallawallaguitarfestival.com.

2017 Journey To Memphis Applications Due By April

2017 March, Cascade Blues Note, Journey to Memphis

The Journey To Memphis is the Cascade Blues Association’s regional competition to select the acts that will represent our organization and region in next year’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN, held in early 2018. This year saw more than 260 acts converge on Beale Street to represent blues societies from around the world in band, solo/duo and youth showcase categories. And the Cascade Blues Association was represented extremely well as our band entry Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers came out in third place overall. A great achievement to say the least. The music industry is in full force during the IBC, searching for new talent and offering opportunities to win recognition and prizes that include major festival performances and more. But the only way an act may participate is to win a regional competition held by one of The Blues Foundation’s affiliated societies like the Cascade Blues Association.

The Journey To Memphis competition consists of two rounds. The opening round will be held on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at The Vinyl Tap, 2099 SE Oak Grove Blvd. Acts will be selected by random drawing to fill the time slots during the event. Entries should keep both dates open until they know when they have been drawn for. Acts are scored by a trio of judges selected for their backgrounds and knowledge of the blues. The highest scoring acts from each night of competition (up to four acts) will advance to the finals held at the Waterfront Blues Festival on July 4th.

Applications to participate in the competition will be accepted from now until Wednesday, April 5 at the Cascade Blues Association membership meeting. No late applications will be accepted. All eligible acts that meet our criteria as described below will be able to compete. The performance schedule for the competition is drawn at random.

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

Entry fee is $25.00
Each act must have at least one person in the band who is a member of the Cascade Blues Association.
Only acts located within the region of Oregon, Washington or Idaho are allowed to enter the Journey To Memphis.
Any act that has been nominated for or received a Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation are ineligible to compete.
Any act that has competed in the International Blues Challenge two consecutive years, regardless whether with the same society or as a solo/duo or band act, must sit out a year before being allowed to compete again.
Along with your $25.00 application fee, send an up-to-date band bio including names of all members, a 300 dpi photo of the band, full song samples of the band’s music (this may be used on a radio broadcast to promote the event), and we need to be made aware of any band member who may be under 21 years of age at the time of the competition so the venue is aware ahead of time for Oregon or Washington Liquor Commission laws.
We require that any act that moves forward in the competition must use the same band members that they won the rounds with. In other words, if you won with a certain bass player or drummer at the Waterfront Blues Festival, that bassist and drummer must be in your band to compete in Memphis. Exceptions will made in rare circumstances when not under control of the act, such as health issues.
We do not prevent acts competing with the Cascade Blues Association from doing so with other societies. All that we ask is that if you win another group’s competition before ours is held, or if you win ours before theirs, please remove yourself from further competitions to allow other acts the chance to win the right to go to Memphis.

Return to the International Blues Challenge

2017 March, Cascade Blues Note

Beale Street, Memphis, TN
January 30-February 4, 2017

By Jeff Levine

It’s great to be back in Portland, where the trees are green, the politics are blue and the living is healthy. I had the chance to return to Memphis for the 2017 International Blues Challenge (IBC) as a fan and volunteer. Here’s my report.

The IBC is a competition. This year featured 260 acts from 38 states and 14 countries. Each local blues organization selects and sends one band, one solo/ duo act to compete, and a youth act for the non-competitive showcase. But it is much more. It is a blues conference with workshops and classes to support the musicians. Picture a business conference with delegates from around the world wandering around with badges and rollaway bags. The difference is that the bags are guitar cases and cymbal bags and the convention center is Beale Street.

This Year’s Winners:
Band: Dawn Tyler Watson – Montreal Blues Society
Oregon Winner: Cascade Blues Association’s Rae Gordon and the Backseat Drivers win third place Band
Solo/ Duo: Al Hill – Nashville Blues Society
How it works:
The acts compete in a three-night elimination in the Beale Street clubs, scored by a panel of judges. Points are awarded for blues content, instrumental and vocal performance, originality and stage presence. Each act gets 25 minutes. Eight bands and eight solo/duo finalists compete in the historic Orpheum Theater on Saturday. Winners get a prize package, with valuable bookings in blues festivals. The 2017 competition was intense. The scores must have been razor close it took over an hour to calculate the winner.

This is an amazing event for blues fans.

Here are my 2017 highlights:

Representing Oregon
Oregon is a major player in the IBC. Oregon has not one, but two Societies. The Cascade Blues Association sent Rae Gordon and the Backseat Drivers as the band, David Pinsky as the solo/duo act and Timothy James and Ryan Stadler as the youth act. The Rainy Day Blues Society in Eugene sent the Hank Shreve Band. Rae Gordon goes on to win third place in the band competition. Mazel-tov (congratulations) Rae! As a fan, it was a joy to get to meet our wonderful musicians up close and personal and to cheer them on in the finals.

Volunteering
The Blues Foundation sponsors the IBC and volunteers run the events. I volunteered as a judge’s assistant in Alfred’s. The best part of volunteering was getting to meet the musicians and help with the all too short ten-minute sound check. I took it upon myself to bug the sound guy if the vocals were too low. (As a fan it is my pet peeve.) As the sole Oregon volunteer at Alfred’s, I got the honor of introducing the Hank Shreve Band. Hank’s dad was happy someone was there who knew how to pronounce Oregon.

260 Acts for One Low Admission Price
For blues lovers this is a smorgasbord of blues. Reasonable priced festival passes (sold for one night or for the week) allow admission into all of the events. The Beale Street venues have, big stages, great sound systems and wonderful, if not very healthy, food and drink choices. All on one closed street. It’s easy to hop around. With an estimated attendance of 3,000 per day the 18 participating clubs were full, but not crowded.

It’s an International Festival
Bands come from around the world, from Canada to Croatia. Dawn Tyler Watson from the Montreal Blues Society won the band competition. Israel’s SOBO made it to the finals as did Felix Smith from Hondarribia, Spain. As a fan you have the opportunity to hear and meet these wonderful artists that you might never get to hear locally.

The Showcases
The showcases are non-competitive shows to promote the blues artists. There was an International Showcase, a Northwest Showcase with our own Ben Rice hosted a Youth showcase and a Galaxie Records showcase. These events take place during the day; so you get band after band, day and night.

Memphis
As blues fans we may forget the pain that inspired our favorite music. Many of our founding artists worked in the cotton fields around Memphis and came to Beale Street to cut loose on the weekends. In March 1968, Beale Street was badly damaged after the riots during the Memphis Garbage strike where protesters carried “I am A Man” signs and where Dr. Martin Luther King led the marchers. Dr. King and was later assassinated about a mile away in the Lorraine Hotel. Memphis and the surrounding area give you a chance to connect with music and social history.

The 34th Annual International Blues Challenge will be held January 16 – 20, 2018. Memphis is a long way from Portland, but it is easy to get around once you are there. Plan to stay for the week if you can. Take time to visit the historic sites including Sun and Stax Studios. Get a reserved seat for the Orpheum event and pace yourself with the food and drinks! Four nights on Beale Street is a lot for anyone.

If you are a band, get your entry in to the Cascade Blues Association by April 5 for the 2018 IBC! If you are a fan, plan to attend the local competition in June and the finals at the Waterfront Blues Festival. I hope to see you all there!

Scott Ramminger

2017 March, CD Review

Do What Your Heart Says To
Arbor Lane Music

Saxophonist Scott Ramminger may live and work in the Washington, DC area, but his musical soul lies directly in New Orleans. His songs are filled with the jumpy, second line and jazzy feel associated with that Southern city. And with his latest release, he fills his music with the authenticity of some of New Orleans’ most renowned players to give it that added lagniappe.

Fourteen tracks, all originals written by Ramminger, make up his latest release, Do What Your Heart Says To. The core band, aside from Ramminger on tenor and baritone saxophones and vocals, include guitarist Shane Theriot, George Porter Jr on bass with Roland Guerin taking the role on two tracks, Johnny Vidacovich and Doug Belote splitting time on drums, David Torkanowsky on keys, Roddie Romero on accordion, and horn players Rick Trolsen, Greg Hicks and Eric Lucero. The recordings for the disc were handled in Louisiana, Virginia and Tennessee.

Ramminger’s voice is featured on all selections, but on most he is accompanied by a cast of stellar singers bringing forth an even greater dimension to his music. It’s hard to argue when you throw in people like Janiva Magness, Bekka Bramlett, Francine Reed, The McCrary Sisters and The Radiator’s Tommy Malone to help vocalize your material.

It has been four years since Ramminger last put out an album, 2013’s critically acclaimed Advice From A Father From A Son, but that lapsed time has been well worth the wait. Whatever your mood, you should find something to enjoy with Do What Your Heart Says To. There’s a bit of funky on “Give A Pencil To A Fish,” slow blues with Shane Theriot laying down some biting string-work along with Torkanowsky’s deep organ on “Winter Is Always Worse,”a Mardi Gras parade with “Mystery To Me” or the relaxed soulful piece “My Girl For Life. This album is straight ahead enjoyable start to finish. Ramminger has once again delivered a very welcome, feel good disc of top-rate songwriting and performing.

Total Time: 61:31

Living Too Fast / Someone New To Disappoint / Do What Your Heart Says To / Hoping That The Sun Won’t Shine / Give A Pencil To A Fish / Winter Is Always Worse / Get Back Up / It’s Hard To Be Me / Mystery To Me / Off My Mind / I Need A New One / Walk A Little Straighter / My Girl For Life / Stubborn Man

Cee Cee James

2017 March, CD Review

Stripped Down & Surrendered
FWG Records

When it comes to songwriting, it should go without saying that the very best music comes through when it is honest and has been experienced. Especially with the blues. It is about life and its lessons. It’s love lost and found. The trials and tribulations that the story-teller is bringing across are authentic. It’s something that is meaningful and shows that you are worthy of relaying your message despite whatever anybody else may think.

With Cee Cee James, she has experienced more than her share of ups and downs in life. So you know that what she sings is quite often biographical and she has proven over and over again that she has a right to sing the blues. Her lyrics reflect the pain of loss and also the newfound purpose in life she has with new love found. Hers are songs directly from her heart, which is why they are so poignant and truthful.

Her latest release, “Stripped Down & Surrendered”, is no exception to the path she has pursued with her career as of late. Following a nice string of acclaimed recordings, this may be her best yet. It is emotive, with her voice taking on searing intenseness at times and soft and endearing at others. She lets you know that life has taken her to the edge, but she’s ready to turn the page and move on positively. As she states in the song “So Grateful” of her past pains and where they have led her: “So grateful for all the hurt / Bringin’ me to the center of my earth / Double me over into the womb / Brought me home to a brand new birth.”

The message is doubled in the musical presentation on Stripped Down & Surrendered with the extremely passionate guitar playing of James’ husband Rob “Slideboy” Andrews. It is brought about perfectly to enhance James’ lyrics with an extra feeling that touches your senses with each number.

Stripped Down & Surrendered finds Cee Cee James standing upon her mountain of past suffering and she has found a healing guidance that has her looking toward a bright new beginning. And she has produced a masterful collection of songs that will help lead you gladly along beside her.

Total Time: 66:41

Stripped Down & Surrendered / The Edge Is Where I Stopped / Hidden And Buried / He Shut The Demon Down / Glory Bound / Love Done Left Home / Cold Hard Gun / Thank You For Never Loving Me / Before 30 Suns / You’re My Man / Miner Mans Gold / So Grateful

Billy D & The Hoodoos

2017 March, CD Review

Overnight Success
Rokdablu Records

The long awaited follow-up to Billy D & The Hoodoos’ 2013 debut album Somethin’s Wrong has finally arrived and it is filled with the same catchy songs with their bare-boned, rock-inflected riffs that made that first release so well received. There’s a lot of power behind the trio of guitarist Billy D, drummer Scott Van Dusen and bassist Joe Casimir who know how to bring across a message without overstating their instruments’ voices and that is clearly evident on the new album, Overnight Success.

Growing up in Chicago obviously influenced Billy’s musical path, blending the city’s thriving blues scene with the very best of the rock music that captured his ear during his youth. It is reflected on numbers like the very Chuck Berry-esque “Can’t Get Over You” or “It Must Be Love” with a shuffle that’d make Bo Diddley proud.

Billy’s songwriting has always been impressive, catchy and memorable. For example, in the sad, softly played “Love Me Forever,” he can’t help but grieve for a love that he knows is slipping away from him, wishing for yet another moment when she felt that he was the one: “you don’t have to love me forever, just love me now.” Or the slide guitar track with the shoo-be-doo background of “Can’t Take It Anymore” where his partner may say one thing but acts in a different manner: “you tell me that you love me, you tell me that your love is true, but when I see you running around every night, tell me what am I supposed to do?” His answer of course is to show himself the door on the relationship.

A real surprise on the disc is the short instrumental number “Mornin’.” It is refreshing with something of a Caribbean feel with a Ry Cooder-like slide guitar style.

The album closes with a strong performance of Willie Dixon’s classic “Back Door Man.” It is the only non-original on the album and a tremendous way to close things out.

Guest artists on Overnight Success include keyboard whiz Steve Kerin, Ron Sorn on harmonica, and Blues Music Award nominee Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone.

It may have taken several years between recordings, but you don’t want to mess with art. Get it right before letting it loose on the public. That’s exactly what has happened here. Overnight Success has been given the right amount of creativeness and timing to bring it to its perfect result. Another amazing release from Billy D & The Hoodoos!

Total Time: 42:21

Can’t Get Over You / I Gotta Know / Movieland Blues / Cry Baby Cry / It Must Be Love / Please Don’t Go / Can’t Take It Anymore / Love Me Forever / Rokdablu / Mornin’ / Back Door Man

Jolie Clausen is Banging Buckets All Around Portland

2017 February, Cascade Blues Note

By Laurie Morrisey

Who is that gal drumming that crazy beat? None other than the talented Jolie Clausen. Being a performer wasn’t exactly a plan for Jolie, it just sort of happened. “I never thought about growing up—I still don’t! I guess I just kept getting calls for gigs so I kept playing. I never sat down and thought, ‘Man, I’d really like to play some gigs.’ I was already doing that. I love performing and plan to do it forever!” she said.

She started playing with the Walla Walla Symphony when she was 14 and did all the musical theatre productions in town. She joined the Community College Jazz Band. “I also had a rock band then, we played at Frat parties at Whitman College.”

When discussing training, Jolie says she’s had both formal training and is partially self-taught. “I attended workshops in high school and studied privately on and off. I also studied with Mel Brown when I first moved to Portland. I graduated from the Mount Hood Community College music program. I still take lessons here and there from friends and drummers in town: Don Worth Jr., Ron Tuttle and Carlton Jackson. Reinhardt Melz, Brian Foxworth, Andy Gauthier and Cory Burden are other favorite local drummers who are always inspiring me and giving me tips of the trade.”

She plays with a variety of local bands which cover different genres of music. “When I play with Michelle DeCourcy and The Rocktarts its heavy rock, although we are currently working on some new originals that have a bit more of a southern swamp rock feel. With Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings and Queens we play traditional blues. With Malachi Graham it’s alt country.”

During the day Jolie works at a law firm downtown and has been doing that for about eight years. “It’s a great part-time gig that allows me to teach and play music. I teach private lessons at students’ homes and at Rhythm Traders here in Portland.”

Influences

When asked about musical influences, Jolie said, “What a big question?! When I sat behind a kit for the first time my teacher put headphones on me and cranked up “Misty Mountain Hop” by Led Zeppelin. I was so excited; I had never heard music like that before, so John Bonham definitely influenced me. I love all the jazz greats—Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes… I also love Steve Gadd, Sly Dunbar, Fred Below, Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Ginger Baker, Taylor Hawkins to Evelyn Glennie and Layne Redmond. Favorite drummers that I’ve met who just blew my mind—Billy Cobham, Gary Husband, Mark Schulman, Brian Blade, Gerald Heyward, and I recently met drummer and producer Butch Vig—What a cool guy?! They all have inspired me.

CD’s

Jolie has performed on two CD’s: Broken Glass by Michelle DeCourcy and The Rocktarts (currently being played on Kink FM); and Silverado by Nervous Jenny Band. Additionally she’s working with songwriter Tom Holland in the next few months on a second Nervous Jenny album with producer Dean Baskerville. Malachi Graham Band and The Rocktarts have plans to get in the studio in 2017.

Bands

Jolie has performed with several different bands: Norman Sylvester, Robbie Laws, Michael Osborn, Duffy Bishop, Tracey Fordice, La Rhonda Steele, Janis Scroggins, AC Porter, Kevin Selfe, Freak Mountain Ramblers, Billy Kennedy, James Lowe Band, Al Perez Band, Tom Grant, Singing Christmas Tree, and Martha Davis from The Motels. She also opened for Peter Frampton and recently the Dandy Warhols.

Legendary blues harmonica player Bill Rhoades called her in 2013 and they’ve been working together ever since. “What a fun band with Katie Angel on bass plus Newell C. Briggs and Chuck Laiti on dueling guitars.”

”I’ve been working with singer and songwriter Michelle DeCourcy for about two and a half years now along with guitarist Steve Adams and Mick ‘Lord’ Ramsdell on bass. I’ve also been working with guitarist and songwriter Tom Holland with Nervous Jenny Band for about two years now. I work with Americana singer/songwriter Malachi Graham and long-time friend and local guitar picking badass Jamie Stillway on upright bass, with Erin Elliot on backing vocals.”

In Closing

“I am honored to be able to share a part of my musical life with the BluesNotes.” Keep an eye out for one of Jolie’s performances and experience her energy for yourself.