HOT BLUES FOR THE HOMELESS

Throughout the years John Mooney has developed one of the most distinctive and easily identifiable guitar and vocal signatures of anyone alive today. Part of the original impetus for his interest in music may have filtered down from his grandfather, a musician himself. "He used to play the mandolin and banjo back in the 20’s" says Mooney. "He even cut a couple of 78’s for the Peerless label that I’I've heard. It was really hot stuff, a kind of raggy jazz." John left home at 15 and began playing with Joe Beard at about that same time. Joe introduced him to the first and most enduring influence on the development of Mooney’s music, the legendary Delta blues singer, Ed "Son" House. Impressed by the 16 year old musician’s talent, Son and John soon became friends. "I wasn't’t aware of what the opportunity meant, but I knew there was nobody better in Delta blues." Mooney cites Son’s heavily rhythmic style having a strong influence on him. In fact, the way Mooney adapts acoustic playing to a modern electric format is one of his most distinctive trademarks.

In 1976 John moved to New Orleans and immersed himself in that city’s vibrant music scene. John regularly played with the likes of Earl King, The Meters, Snooks Eaglin, and the man who was to influence his music greatly, the father of New Orleans piano, Professor Longhair. He was playing regularly in front of New Orleans drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste, John Vidacovich, and Herman Ernest. At this place in time John successfully combined the sounds of the delta with the syncopated rhythms of the Crescent City to create the style that has become uniquely his own.

Since 1981 he has been touring with his group, the Bluesiana Band, performing throughout the U.S., Canada, Panama, Europe, Australia, and Japan. Current Bluesiana band mates include long time band member Jeff Sarli on bass. Jeff may be best known for playing on the Rolling Stones "Bridges to Babylon" album and for sharing the stage with the likes of Keith Richards, Levon Helm, and the Band. Other Bluesiana members include the legendary Professor Longhair band mate Alfred "Uganda" Roberts on congas & percussion and renowned New Orleans drummer Carlo Nuccio perhaps best known for his work with Emmylou Harris and Tori Amos. Over the years John and his band have earned a musical reputation that have gained them invitations to play at numerous folk, jazz, and blues festivals across the globe, including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Newport Folk Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, and a yearly appearance at New Orleans’ world renowned Jazz & Heritage Festival.

In 2000 Mooney released "Gone to Hell," with special guest Dr. John adding some extra spice. The critics welcomed this comeback with open arms and high praise. Blues Access called the album "a seductive musical cocktail that leaves you deliriously drunk with pleasure every time." Blues Revue wrote, "‘Gone to Hell’ bumps, grinds, and simmers with the emotional intensity of a musician who plays directly from his soul to yours."
His newest disc, "Big Ol’ Fiya" with special guest Jon Cleary has been a long time coming but Mooney has brought some profound musical styles and songwriting to his signature syncopated delta blues sound. If there was ever a Mooney CD to own, this one is truly it. By far his most heartfelt, intimate, soulful and incredibly intricate vocals, this is a John Mooney album that is simply like none other.

Louise McGhee (RealAudio) [Big Ol' Fiya, 2005]

Son's Blues (RealAudio) [All I Want, 2002]

Dry Spell Blues (RealAudio) [Gone To Hell, 2000]

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)

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".

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.