Artist Bios
The Robert Cray Band
For thirty plus years, Robert Cray has laid down track after track of good-time, uptown, low down blues. He’s won five Grammys and been nominated for eleven more, inspired critics to praise his soulful voice and instrumental artistry, earned respect from his peers, and sent young guitarists running back to the woodshed. The celebrated triple threat Singer, guitar slinger, and songwriter, delivers classic titles (“Phone Booth”) to highlights from his latest releases (“Poor Johnny”), whether addressing timeless themes of heartache and romance (“The things you do to me”) or this mornings headlines (“Twenty”), Cray delivers.
For more information, visit http://www.robertcray.com/
Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine
“Blues is my life,” says Grammy Award-winning blues singer Koko Taylor, Chicago’s—and the world’s—undisputed Queen Of The Blues. From foot-stomping barnburners to powerful slow blues, Koko proves in an instant that her blues are joyous and life-affirming, powerful and soul-stirring. Raised outside of Memphis in Bartlett Tennessee, Koko moved to Chicago in her early 20’s and settled on the city’s south side. Soon she was recording blues albums and playing with the likes of B.B King, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Buddy Guy. From her earliest hits, to her latest album “Old School” Koko Taylor has established herself as “The Queen” of blues.
For more information, visit http://www.kokotaylor.com/
Sonny Landreth
Southwest Louisiana-based guitarist, songwriter and singer Sonny Landreth is a musician's musician. The blues slide guitar playing found on his two Zoo Entertainment releases, Outward Bound (1992) and South of I-10 (1995) is distinctive and unlike anything else you've ever heard. Landreth was born February 1, 1951, in Canton, MS, and his family lived in Jackson, MS, for a few years before settling in Lafayette, LA where he began his playing and recording career. Landreth's lyrics draw the listener in to the sights, sounds, smells and heat of southwest Louisiana, and a strong sense of place is evident in many of Landreth's songs. Although his style is completely his own and his singing is more than adequate, Land reth admits that writers like William Faulkner have had a big influence on his lyric writing.
For more information, visit http://www.sonnylandreth.com/
The Smokin' Joe Kubeck Band ft. Bnois King
Smokin Joe Kubek was raised in Irving, Texas and was playing in Dallas clubs at the age of 14. He later took a deeper interest in blues, prompted by Eric Clapton and Peter Green, and formed his first band. Kubek has teamed up with artists such as Bnois King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and people like B. B., Albert and Freddie King. With his staggering arsenal of instruments, effects and technique, Kubek can deliver a frenzied, flame-throwing guitar display that is tempered by the remarkable accompaniment of Bnois King's jazz influenced guitar, but can also turn around and run through some of the sweetest, most beautiful slow blues on "I'm Here for You" and "Cryin' By Myself." Some of Kubek’s recent albums include Roadhouse Research (2003), Show Me the Money (2004), Served Up Texas Style (2005), and My Heart’s in Texas (2006).
For more information, visit http://www.smokinjoekubek.com/The Shane Dwight Band
In the past two years the Shane Dwight Band has performed at many prestigious concerts such as the Oklahoma Blues Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Central Valley Blues Festival, San Jose Comcast Jazz Festival, and the San Jose Metro Fountain Blues Festival. They have also performed at the Monterey Blues Festival Battle of the Bands, in which they took first place. Although Shane's music is blues based, the band's ability to cross over to a variety of different audiences is evidenced in their current concert schedule which has them working at venues as diverse as County Fairs, Disneyland Theme parks, opening up for Major Country, Blues, and Rock Artists. This year, Shane Dwight and the Band will be performing in over 180 shows throughout the United States.
For more information, visit http://www.shanedwight.com/
Maxx Cabello Jr.
Straight from the Bay Area, Maxx Cabello captures audiences from young to old, and his shows are consistently packed with diverse and enthusiastic listeners. In his work are the inspirations of Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, but Maxx definitely adds his own artistry, showing only influences by the guitar legends. Aside from a half-time show for and Oakland Raiders game, Maxx has been fortunate enough to open for greats such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, and many more.
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/maxxcabellojr
