Marques Carroll The Ancestors’ Call JMarq This is the debut of trumpeter Marques Carroll leading his quintet, but Carroll is no stranger to Chicago audiences as a member of the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective and the Count Basie Orchestra. This project, The Ancestors’ Call, pays homage to his ancestors and heritage. Joining Carroll is his […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Russell Alexander of the Hitman Blues Band The Hitman Blues Band is getting worldwide recognition. The new release “Not my Circus, Not my Monkey” is being hailed as “the best yet!” Their previous release, “Blues Enough”, was in the running for two Grammy nominations. “Two Minute […]
Arturo O’Farrill The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra Virtual Birdland Zoho Last year we were fortunate to bring you the Grammy-winning effort from Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra –Four Questions. So, it is only fitting that we bring you the follow-up, Virtual Birdland. By now you’ve seen the opening sequence to the Grammys, and you […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Emma Wilson British Blues Siren Emma Wilson hails from Teesside UK, the home of many great musicians. Emma has a fabulous and dynamic voice, moving effortlessly from heart wrenching sweet soul to powerful blues. Emma’s tone and delivery is gorgeous, being both tender and unique. Emma’s […]
Will Porter Tick Tock Tick Gramofono Sound This is a re-issue of Will Porter’s “Tick Tock Tick” one of the most critically acclaimed soul drenched roots albums. Unfortunately, at the time it was a limited release. Will Porter was born in West Virginia in 1959 where as a youngster he sang gospel. He worked with […]
Matt Panayides Field Theory Pacific Coast Jazz Guitarist and composer Matt Panayides tries something new and different for him on his third release, Field Theory. While his first wo albums were acoustic, this one blends that sound with electric by using various guitar pedals and jamming often with Matt Vashlishan, a multi-woodwind instrumentalist who plays […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with AJ Fullerton A.J. Fullerton is a Roots, Rock, & Blues artist originally from Montrose, CO. He grew up listening to by artists like; Mississippi John Hurt, Taj Mahal, T Model Ford, Albert Collins, R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, The Black Keys, Patrick Sweany, North Mississippi Allstars, Robert […]
Jimmie Bratcher I’m Hungry Independent Kansas City’s Jimmie Bratcher was first influenced by 1960 guitarist Eric Clapton. Other guitar influences included Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, and B.B. King. He played in several bands but his substance abuse caused them to fail. He divorced but later reunited with his wife, abandoned music, and put his faith […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Joe Lewis of the Joe Lewis Band Joe Lewis is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Picayune, Mississippi. Diving headfirst into the guitar as a child, he pursued it with a passion. Joe Lewis learned any tune that caught his ear and sounded good to his […]
The Pink Stones …Introducing. Normaltown/New West There’s a tendency to use the term ‘country’ albeit sparingly with the more famous Athens, GA-based bands, The Drive-by Truckers (DBTs), and to some extent Bloodkin, yet The Pink Stones are by far the most country of the three. They fall into the camp of Cosmic American Music, whose […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with John Angus of the John Angus Blues Band I am writing new songs and the band are rehearsing our new show. We can’t wait to be gigging again. The John Angus Band perform original Blues Rock Songs, crafted by John and my fellow musicians in […]
Chris Cain Raisin’ Cain Alligator Records Now sixty-seven, Chris Cain was born in San Jose, California to a Greek mother and African-American father. As a teenager he began playing guitar and went on to study music at San Jose City College. Along the way he also mastered piano, bass, clarinet, and saxophone. Cain released his […]
Kane Mathis Geminus Nyaato As we’ve commented before, the kora is one of the most beautiful sounding instruments of any, string or otherwise. It’s not often that we find an accomplished player of the instrument that didn’t grow up in Africa where the instrument is passed on through generations and it’s a testament to the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Sunday Wilde Sunday Wilde is from the wilds of a northern Ontario small town, and has been found singing everywhere from small logging towns at funeral parlors, and blues joints and all the way to large festivals, and bars in bustling metropolises. She is a powerful […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with John Louis John Louis crafts smart, poetic, heartworn country folk songs. Born of a blend of observation, experience, introspection and empathy, John’s songs have garnered attention and awards from prestigious songwriting showcases including the Kerrville New Folk competition, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and the […]
Home Page Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Doug Hoekstra Doug Hoekstra is a Chicago-bred, Nashville-based creative whose poems, performances, songs, and stories, have criss-crossed the globe in publications and playlists, stages and setlists, his eight CDs and three books earning Independent Publisher Award, Pushcart Prize, Nashville Music Award, and Independent Music Award nominations, […]
Zoe FitzGerald Carter Waterlines Self-released Author-turned-songwriter Zoe FitzGerald Carter releases her debut solo full-length, Waterlines, featuring ten original songs backed by some of the Bay Area’s best. Her background as a journalist, essayists, and author (Imperfect Endings) gives the album an autobiographical feel, partly implied by the album title, serving as a metaphor for searching clues from […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Tomislav Goluban After a 20-year music career and 11 studio albums, the proverb “The older – the crazier” definitely applies to Croatian harmonica player Tomislav “Little Pigeon” Goluban, whose songs and performances burst with energy, passion, and humor. Looking back at his discography reveals delta, country […]
Tomislav Goluban Express Connection Blue Heart Records Tomislav Goluban was inspired by harp masters Little Walter, Paul Butterfield and Gary Primich. The Croatian musician, whose surname translates to Pigeon, formed Little Pigeon’s Forhill Blues Band in 1997. His debut recording “Pigeon’s Flight” was released in 2005. Goluban traveled to Memphis to compete in the International […]
Steve Hunt Connections Spicerack The dizzying array of names emblazoned on the CD cover, Billy Cobham, John Patitucci, Vinnie Coliauta, and Eric Marienthal, prominent among the 32, speaks to the album title, Connections for keyboardist Steve Hunt’s second album as a leader. Those prominent names suggest a fusion outing which is what keyboardist Hunt delivers […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jimmie Bratcher Bratcher’s passion for raw-but-exacting electric guitar sounds began in the ’60s when he fell under the spell of Eric Clapton, his first six-string hero. As a kid, Bratcher developed eclectic taste, culled from his large musical family, who would have sprawling jam sessions […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with JP Williams! JP Williams Singer-songwriter JP Williams was born in NYC. He creates music based on his love of blues, folk, rock, jazz & soul music. His lyrics are fashioned from hard times, great joys, memories of people in his life, and the experiences he has […]
Jack Brandfield I’ll Never Be the Same Gut String New York City Native tenor saxophonist Jack Brandfield, like many musicians, has an affinity for the Great American Songbook. Brandfield holds a B.M in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University and is currently a scholarship recipient from The Frost School of Music at The University of […]
Various Artists Johnny’s Blues: A Tribute to Johnny Cash This is a 2003 compilation by American and Canadian blues musicians. I don’t know how I missed it back then. Like most compilations some songs work better than others But overall it is a worthwhile celebration of a beloved man and musician. The album begins with […]
Lorne Lofsky This Song Is New Modica Music Canadian jazz guitarist Lorne Lofsky delivers his first album in more than two decades with This Song is New. A master guitarist known for his pianistic voicings and virtuosic skill, Lofsky is considered one of Canada’s great musical treasures. Joining Lofsky is his tight-knit quartet made up of his […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Present an Interview with Carmine Appice As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band‘s 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process. The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so […]
Daniele Germani Congregation of Folks GleAM As his debut received an enthusiastic endorsement from saxophone great Joe Lovano, that might be all the encouragement that the budding newcomer Daniele Germani needs. Indeed, A Congregation of Folks introduces a riveting and spirited voice on the alto saxophone, and an intriguing, unique composer. Ten modern jazz compositions, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Adam Sweet Independent blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Adam Sweet released his second studio album ‘Sink or Swim’ in September 2020. It marks Adam’s evolution into a fully-fledged blues rock artist, cementing his own unique blend of blue-eyed blues and soulful southern rock. With honest tales of loss, longing, hope and strength […]
The Golden Mantis Yesterday News Today I would like to introduce to the new album of The Golden Mantis The Band: The Golden Mantis are Silvia Subosco and Roger Münzenmayer from Mannheim in Germany. As early as the mid-80s, both played in the band The Valentines, one of the most innovative local bands of the time. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Don Powell Part 1 and 2 Don was born on 10 September 1946 in Bilston, Staffordshire – and christened Donald George Powell. He had a fairly normal childhood. When his young his parents obtained their very first home – a council property in Bilston – […]
Vinnie Riccitelli Octet For the Record Self-released The music is one thing. And then there’s the story. Sometimes there are both and such is the case with Vinnie Riccitelli as we are looking at likely the longest gap between recording projects in history – 65 years to be exact. Yes, you read that correctly; Riccitelli […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Danielle Miraglia Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson and an infectious stomp-box rhythm with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest “Bright Shining Stars” debuted at #15 on the […]
Damon Fowler Alafia Moon Landslide Records Damon Fowler was born and raised a few miles east of Tampa. He first picked up the guitar when he was twelve; and has also mastered both the Dobro and lap steel. Fowler released his debut recording “Riverview Drive”, produced by Rick Derringer, in 1999. Two more independently released […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Ray Cashman Some folks play the blues while some write about it and present it as their own because it is. Ray Cashman is the latter. This guy is the real deal. His songs are on the radio around the world and his European show date […]
John Smith The Fray Commoner/Thirty Tigers UK Singer-songwriter John Smith, with one of the most common names around, is not your run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter-guitarist. Those types cannot attract a cast like Smith does here for his highly emotive The Fray. Smith co-produced with long-time friend and producer Sam Lakeman at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studio, assembling pianist […]
Brigitte DeMeyer Seeker Spinach Pitts Music Seeker is the latest album from the inspiring and poetic songwriter Brigitte DeMeyer, and releases on March 26, 2021. Her melodies are a deep fusion of jazz and blues. Vocally, Brigitte has a range that effortlessly flows from soulfully sweet with just a hint of sugar to thick and […]
Various Artists Cumbia 1 & 2 World Circuit World Circuit Records is re-issuing from their celebrated catalog the music and dance associated with Colombia, that’s been with us since the 17th century – Cumbia 1 & 2 performed by a variety of artists and compiled by the label’s world music expert Nick Gold. They will […]
Jihye Lee Orchestra Daring Mind Motema The possibilities for large jazz ensembles are wide ranging- from boring, to traditionally solid, to utterly fascinating. The latter is relatively rare, but when it occurs, it can be a stunning, awe-inspiring listen. One can go long stretches without having such an experience but that has changed in the […]
Jazz WORMS Squirmin’ Capri Sometimes it’s difficult to leave a good thing alone, even if it takes thirty years to get back to the moment. That’s the case for the Denver-based jazz quintet Jazz WORMS who reunite after (can we call it) a 30-year hiatus. All five original members come together with pianist Andy Weyl, saxophonist Keith […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Damon Fowler Florida’s Gulf Coast has produced a plethora of distinctive musicians, from the blues of Tampa Red to jazz greats Cannonball and Nat Adderley to former Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts to The Outlaws. Tampa’s Damon Fowler, a masterful singer, guitar player, and songwriter has […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Neil Barnes! I owe 99% of how I learned to play from Gary Smith, the Godfather of the South Bay Area blues scene. Gary took the time to show me the how-to’s and the don’t-do’s of the Blues harmonica, along with the approach to the music I love. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with a Pro Rick Booth – Touring After the Pandemic! As we move towards the end of the Covid 19 Pandemic many artist’s are wondering what the touring landscape is going to look like. Intrepid Artists International is the premiere roots and blues booking agencies and is […]
Diego Baliardo and The Gypsy Evolution Este Ritmo Moondo Music Okay, the name may be unfamiliar at first, but Diego Baliardo is one of the founders of the world-famous Gipsy Kings, the highest selling musical group to come out of France, with over 20 million albums sold over their 35-year run. Baliardo is carrying on […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mark LeClerc From Fuel Junkie! Since its formation in 2014, Fuel Junkie has revealed itself as one of the most promising upcoming artists on the Montréal blues scene. Passionate about the blues at a very young age, Mark LeClerc founded the group with close friends met […]
Rick Holmstrom See That Light LuEllie Records Rick Holmstrom was born in Fairbanks but later relocated to Southern California. While attending college he joined a local blues band and sat in with Smokey Wilson and Junior Watson. Holmstrom was the guitarist in The William Clarke Band from 1985 to 1988. He joined up with another […]
Michael Wolff Live at Vitellos Sunnyside Admittedly, not sure why this album, Live at Vitellos, recorded in 2011, is just coming out now but we certainly welcome it. Award-winning pianist Michael Wolff, known for an impressive and eclectic career that has spanned five decades, and stints with Cannonball Adderley and Cal Tjader early in his career, brings […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Aris Paul! You’d be hard-pressed to find another band that embodies Pittsburgh Rock and Southside Blues like APB…Aris, Aaron, and Matt refer to what they do as “red-eyed, road rock” – and that’s accurate. It’s a culmination of fierce guitar, moving bass lines, and remarkably technical […]
David Olney and Anana Kaye Wispers and Sighs Schoolkids Records Whispers And Sighs is the latest album by David Olney and Anana Kaye and makes a much-anticipated debut on March 19, 2021. Just before the last day of winter. Just before David’s birthday. Just at the right moment. It is an album that had a […]
Ian Charleton Big Band A Fresh Perspective Self-released Ian Charleton, composer/conductor arranger, is a Senior Chief Musician, who was the Head of Academics at the Naval School of Music, where he taught arranging. Also, a graduate of the University of North Texas, he burst on the scene with his 2013 debut CD, Brain Chatter. This […]
Claire Kelly Scenic Route Self-released Midwest born and raised, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Claire Kelly does plenty of justice to her Irish roots on her first full-length album Scenic Route. It comes after releasing four EPs. The album features her soaring soprano vocals, all but one original track, and spare arrangements that feature multi-instrumentalist Nick Stone doing […]