I'M LOOKING TO JOIN A BLUES BAND
Fulltime, part time, or freelance
I'm looking for a band that is either working or ready to work, and has agency/industry contacts.
The last 2 very creative bands I've had (Soul/Funk and Eclectic blues) have both foundered due to lack of contacts.
They also were not prepared to play material that would encourage an Agent to give them work. And for this reason both bands folded. I would like to avoid this next time around.
I realise that blues bands don't work a lot, and don't get paid particularly well: that's ok! The guidelines on my WORK WANTED link won't apply to the same degree.
STYLES
I would prefer a band that plays a wide variety of blues styles i.e Jump, Chicago, Jazz, Gospel, Soul and Funk; but will consider other variations.
I'm looking for a band that has experienced players who are into a more creative style of blues.
WHAT CAN I OFFER
I'm an ex pro player with over 35 years QUALITY experience in all styles of music. I have been a pro freelance player for a lot of that time and have developed a wide variety of skills to meet the higher demands that freelancing requires.
I enjoy most styles of blues and have played them at one time or another. About the only style I don't play is finger style delta blues.
I have a highly professional attitude to rehearsals, gigs, and the industry in general
I play:
Guitar: Electric, Acoustic and have highly developed Rhythm skills as well as excellent lead chops
Whilst I don't play much slide I have enough skills in that area to pull it together quickly if the need arose.
Sax: Tenor and Alto. I would describe my Sax styles as Blues, Modal Jazz, and Funk/Fusion. I'm currently working to incorporate Jive, Swing, Bebop, and more chromatic ideas into my Blues playing.
Mandolin: I can play mandolin to a useful level. I'd like to use this in a band that has a few acoustic tunes in their rep.
Vocals: I have about 30 RnR and blues standards I can perform as a lead vocalist. I see myself as a contributing vocalist rather than a main lead singer.
The vocal examples below were recorded at gigs on a cassette player quite a while ago. This is pre auto tune so what you hear is honest....warts and all.
I don't regard myself as a vocalist but have got away with being an emergency backup vocalist many times over the years.
You be the judge.
If my limited vocals can be any use to you then I'm happy to give it a go.
Dust my Broom (Vox and Guitar) Live
All Over Now (Vox and Guitar) Home studio
Unchain my Heart (Vox and Sax) Live
That's Alright Mama (Vox and Guitar) Live
I have 1st class pro level equipment and reliable transport
INFLUENCES
For this page I'll stick to blues players only. There's many more; here's a short cross section.
Guitar: Duke Robbilliard, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, SRV, Gary Moore, Johnny Winter, BB King, Alvin Lee, Robert Cray, Tajh Mahal,
Sax: Maceo Parker, Tom Scott, Big Jay McNeely, King Curtis, Johnny Almond (John Mayall)
SOUND CLIPS
The problem with sound clips is that if people don't hear exactly what they're looking for then they immediately assume I can't or don't play that style. If you don't hear a style represented it means that I haven't got around to recording an example yet. I will be adding new clips soon.
The purpose of the sound clips is to give an idea of playing standard rather than document every style.
There are more sound clips in different styles at this location