Artists Descriptions & Links - State Street Blues Stroll

Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials @ Media Theatre Main Stage* (9:30pm to 11:15pm)

- Lil' Ed Williams, though small in stature, is a true giant of the blues and among the very last authentic West Side Chicago bluesmen. From smoking slide guitar boogies to raw-boned Chicago shuffles to the deepest slow blues, Lil' Ed Williams is a master bluesman. A gifted guitarist and a remarkably gritty and soulful vocalist, Williams, along with his blistering, road-tested band, The Blues Imperials, has been tearing up clubs and festival stages all over the world for almost 25 years. Not since the heyday of Hound Dog Taylor and The HouseRockers has a Chicago blues band made such a consistently joyous, rollicking noise. Between the band's wonderfully untamed music and Ed's flying leaps, his back-bending, his toe-walking through the audience and his sliding across the stage on his knees, it's no wonder The Boston Globe called Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials "the world's #1 houserocking band."

Winner of 2007 WC Handy Blues Music Award "Band of the Year"

Lil' Ed boasts a direct bloodline to blues history -- his uncle and musical mentor was the great Chicago slide guitarist and recording artist J.B. Hutto. According to The Chicago Tribune, "Williams represents one of the few remaining authentic links to the raucous but pure Chicago blues." The Associated Press agreed, stating, "Williams fills Chicago's biggest shoes with more life and heat than anyone on stage today. " Adding to the legend is Ed's storybook rise taking him from working in a car wash to entertaining thousands of his fans all over the world, to an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien (in a hilarious film with Lil' Ed teaching Conan how to play the blues) culminating with Lil' Ed on stage with O'Brien in front of a televised audience in the millions. On their new Alligator album, Rattleshake, Lil' Ed's romping, sizzling guitar and his rough-hewn vocals, his brother James "Pookie" Young's thumping bass, Mike Garrett's feral rhythm guitar and Kelly Littleton's unpredictable yet bone-crunching drumming produce a modern blues firestorm steeped in tradition. Produced by Alligator president Bruce Iglauer and Williams, Rattleshake features 13 houserocking songs, and captures all of Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials' legendary live energy on disc.

CD's - Roughhousin' (86), Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits (89), What You See Is What You Get (92), Get Wild! (99), Heads Up! (02), Rattleshake (06)

The Village Voice exclaimed, "These Chicago racket masters give a good name to crazed sloppiness. They're about going too far and pulling it back just in time." The New York Times raved, "Raw-boned, old-fashioned Chicago blues has a new young master - Lil' Ed Williams." The Washington Post described Williams' music as "contagious wildness." The Philadelphia Inquirer expressed it as "raucous and hugely entertaining." But no matter how you describe it, Lil' Ed's seriously inspired music will take you on a fast trip from your chair to your feet. Now, with Rattleshake and a schedule that will take the band on another non-stop tour across the country and across the ocean, Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials will continue to shake, rattle and roll into the hearts, minds and dancing shoes of old-school blues fans everywhere.

Paul Rishell and Annie Raines @ Media Theatre Main Stage* (8:00 pm to 9:15 pm)

- Paul Rishell was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1950, which made his young teenage years coincide with the early 60's, so naturally he started out as a drummer in a surf-rock band. Fortunately for all of us, a friend soon turned him on to the country blues records of Son House, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson and others, and Paul was hooked for life. Blues struck such a chord in him that he immersed himself in the old records until he learned to capture their feel on guitar and vocals, all the while gaining an encyclopedic knowledge of the great players and their recordings. By the early 70's Paul had moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and established himself among contemporaries like Bonnie Raitt and Chris Smither as a solo performer, bandleader, and one of the top players on the fertile Boston music scene. It was an exciting time, as many of the great bluesmen made their first trips north of Chicago, and Paul had the chance to play with many of his heroes, including Son House, Johnny Shines, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Howlin' Wolf.

At about this time Annie Raines was just across town, working her way through Kindergarten. The blues muse struck her during her high school years, which were the mid-80's. While her friends were listening to Pink Floyd, Annie was enthralled by the sounds of the Muddy Waters Band, and particularly drawn to the blues harmonica playing of Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson. As with Paul Rishell some twenty years earlier, the blues hit Annie so hard she just had to follow, and she dropped out of college halfway through her Freshman year to become one of the first serious female blues harmonica players in the country. Annie began to play gigs at local Boston area clubs, and later traveled to Chicago where she met and played with Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, and James Cotton.

CD's - I Want You To Know (96), Moving To The Country (00) - WC Handy 'Best Acoustic Blues Album' Award, Goin' Home (04)

Although they have become known for their close attention to prewar acoustic blues styles, Paul and Annie first found their musical common ground in a Chicago/Texas-style blues band. Over the years, they have been privileged to share the stage and the studio with many fine backing musicians , including Troy Gonyea, Marty Richards, Chris Rival, Jesse Williams, Damian Purro, "Sax" Gordon Beadle, Scott Shetler, Billy MacGillivray, and Reed Butler.

Lonnie Shields Band @ Sligo (9:30pm)

- Rooster Records Artist / 1993 Living Blues Critics Award; Media's Bluesman in residence. For inspiration, Lonnie cites the season-to-season survival techniques learned first-hand growing up in the heart of the Delta, in West Helena, Arkansas. He learned the Blues firsthand from Sam Carr's groups, Unforgettable Blues Band and Jelly Roll Kings - featuring legendary harpist Frank Frost and guitarist Big Jack Johnson-in the juke joints of the Delta. An appearance at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena led to Lonnie's work with Rooster Blues Records. Lonnie Shields' career has skyrocketed over the past few years and he is performing all over the world. He was the first Delta artist that Rooster Blues picked up after moving to Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1987. His CD, Portrait, was released in 1992 and reads like a who's who of Delta Blues performers. Since then he has gone on to release more CDs and build an impressive list of songwriter credits.

Leroy Hawkes and the Hipnotics @ Joclyn's (9:00 pm)

- Hawkes, whose career began in the church as a gospel singer in Virginia, later moved to Philadelphia where he sang with various local acts. There he developed his musical style, reflecting the influence of singers such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Joe Tex and Wilson Pickett. By the 1980's, Hawkes was appearing with greats like the Temptations and the O'Jays when he became stricken with an affliction which left him temporarily blind. With his recovery comes the rebirth of an exciting vocalist with a band that can truly exemplify his talent. The nucleus of The Hipnotics is assembled around a rhythm section cast in the mold of Memphis' MG's and New Orleans' Meters.

Philly Gumbo @ Iron Hill Brewery (9:30 pm)

- If you want to have the New Orleans JazzFest experience in Philadelphia, a Philly Gumbo show is your best bet. Philly Gumbo's distinctive blend of New Orleans r 'n' b, blues and reggae has made it a unique and popular presence on the Philadelphia music scene for more than twenty five years.. Four members of the group - drummer Tim Hayes, guitarist Pete Eshelman, bass player Bert Harris and keyboardist Randall Grass have been the core of the group throughout it's 25 year history. The group is rounded out by vocalist extraordinaire April Thorpe and saxophonist C.C. Crabtree. Although the band has been active on the music scene throughout, individual band members have been prominent in recent years with other projects: Pete Eshelman leads Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Bert Harris leads the group Bert Harris' Jazz Planet, and new vocalist April Thorpe has been featured vocalist with The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble which has performed at Zanzibar Blue and other top venues. The band has a unique ability to provide a great listening experience even as it impels people to get up dance!

"Philly Gumbo's longevity has come from two things: an ability to play authentic and unique mix of New Orleans funk, reggae, blues and African grooves and the presence of great singers," notes founding member Randall Grass.

Philly Gumbo has been the foremost exponent of New Orleans music in the Philadelphia area and perhaps the only band to effectively mix New Orleans r 'n' b, reggae, blues, funk and African music. During its long history, Philly Gumbo has released three recordings: the debut single "Holy Way" b/w "Mardi Gras" (1984 Gumbo Records), an original song, "Xmas In New Orleans" featured on the "Seasons Greetings Philadelphia" benefit CD (1999 Record Cellar) and a unique version of the traditional song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" on "Public Domain", a roots-music compilation (2000-Big Music). Philly Gumbo has also been recognized by Philadelphia Magazine in an annual "Best Of Philadelphia" issue and by the Philadelphia Music Foundation. The band pioneered live music at the fabled South Street club Bacchanal and was often joined there by special guests sitting in such as Todd Rundgren, David Lindley, Teddy Royal of Fats Domino's band, members of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' band, Ken Kweder, Elliot Levin, Essra Mohawk and more. The band kicked off the first Jambalaya Jam at Penn's Landing and appeared many times at Jam On The River and most of the top venues in the Philadelphia area.

". . . a personal pastiche of rhythm and blues, rock and reggae that's not just irresistible but positively transcendent!"

- City Paper

James Day & Fish Fry @ Picasso (9:30 pm)

- Raised in Mississippi & New Orleans, bandleader James Day is influenced by the jump blues vocalists of that region. He plays diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. James is a fair guitar player and sometimes 'shakes things.' Dave "The Professor" Orban has a special appreciation for West-Coast Jump blues - Hollywood Fats, Little Charlie Baty, Kim Wilson, James Harman, Kid Ramos, and the Chicago-style blues - Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Jimmy Rogers. From the great state of New Jersey we find Ron Baldwin hammering out his boogie woogie stylings on piano & organ. Ronnie spent many years languishing at a local skating rink until the blues spoke to him in a dream. Now his keyboard is in high demand, we are glad he's a bluesman. Slapping and Thumpin' on the dog house bass is Michael "Flash" Gordon. He locks down the bottom groove with a quiet intensity, causing your stomach to rumble and your feet to move. Michael is a professional bassiest who has played with many regional acts-Solid. The meter man who anchors the entire project is Mark Shewchuk. Mark's jazz drumming background and high energy keeps the Fish Fry poppin' and the crowd hoppin'.

James Day & the Fish Fry's Blue Latitudes (Neon Blue 2012) (06) covers the map of blues & roots styles, with smart songwriting touching on jump ("No Meat to Tough" shows some of Louis Jordon's humor), zydeco ("Zydeco Boogaloo"), Sun-style rockabilly ("Money Smarts & Charms),slow blues("Weather Blues"), hokum ("Screen Scratching Woman"), hard swinging blues a la William Clarke ("Next New Thing"), Latin sounds ("Blowing Smoke"), New Orleans street parades ("Festival Time"), and snaky swamp grooves ("Muscadine Wine"). Day is a likeable vocalist and his harp playing is refreshingly outside the box. Guitarist Mark Shewchuk operates on a similarly quirky basis, spinning unexpected lines. A lot of fun."

- Blues Revue, April/May 2007

Randy Lippincott Band @ Plumstead Inn (8:15 pm)

- Randy has toured the world, visiting 17 countries on 4 continents, playing major festivals at home and abroad with such artists as Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Shemeika Copeland, Lonnie Shields, Big Bill Morganfield, Ola Dixon and Steve Guyger. In addition to his touring credits, Randy has been honored to have played on a number of recordings His services are in demand by artists and record labels alike. Randy has even been privileged to appear on the Grammy-nominated Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson CD 'Got To Find A Way'. His discography reads like a 'Who's Who of the Blues' and demonstrates his vast experience on the road and in the studio. Whether as a single, a duo, or fronting his own band, Randy brings his years of experience to every show. Having paid his dues learning at the feet of the masters, he has stepped from the shadows out into the spotlight. While it is a new experience for him in many ways, it is the path he is compelled to take to move his career to the next level.

Dennis Gruenling & Jump Time @ Brodeur's on State Street (9:30 pm)

- Ever since Jump Time started performing in the NJ/NY area in 1998, bandleader/arranger & harmonicist Dennis Gruenling has developed a fat, swinging, horn-like sound, and a reputation for pioneering a new role for the harmonica that has been grabbing attention from critics all around the globe. Playing diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, you can hear his blues, swing and traditional jazz influences, which come together to form a sound that is leading a new direction for the instrument in all roots music.

Each member of Jump Time is respected in their own field, and Dennis is not afraid to let them all shine during the course of any Jump Time performance, incuding new guitarist Dave Gross, and talented vocalist Gina Fox.

Jump Time has played on stages from The Chicago Blues Festival to The Jazz Company in Disney World, to Six Flags Great Adventure, to BB Kings in NYC. Along the way they have shared the stage with such acts as B.B. King, Little Sammy Davis, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Kim Wilson and Steve Guyger.

Blues Anatomy @ John's Grille (8:00 pm)

- Blues Anatomy is comprised of six very talented musicians, all Philadelphia area natives who have been on the Philly music scene for 25 years or more, bringing superb musicianship & a genuine love of the Blues to every performance.

Eddie Davis - Vocals, Rick Prince - Bass, Rick Nollet - Guitar & Vocals, Lenny Gorden - Drums & Vocals, Mike Suchodolski - Keyboards, Marky B - Harmonica

Garry Cogdell & the Complainers @ Stephen's on State (9:15 pm)

- Delaware's all time blues legends - boss Delaware blues foursome Gary Cogdell & his band, The Complainers.

Garry's Singing and guitar playing draw deeply from the music of the Mississippi Delta, Chicago, Texas and sometimes, even London England in the 60's. His masterful slide guitar, fluid flat and finger picking in the "hammer-stroke" style in several guitar tunings confirm his depth of knowledge, and understanding of the subtleties and strengths of the best of the Blues guitarists. Commenting on Garry's playing, Philadelphia Jerry Ricks said, "He's so good it's scary". Garry has opened the show for, Jimmy "Fast Fingers" Dawkins, Muddy Waters, Noble "Thin man" Watts, George Thorogood, John Hammond, Satan & Adam, Sapphire and many others. Turns me on about blues - the gift of soul and passion the masters gave me and all others who play and love this music called BLUES. You can think but not too much, just shoot from the hip, play from the Heart. Ok here it is, "I have played this music for over 35 years. I was taught most of what I know by the great Philadelphia Jerry Ricks."

Dave Coppa & Scrapple @ "Quotation's" (9:00 pm)

- David Coppa's music mastery has been heavily influenced by the royalty of Albert, B. B. and Freddy King, Louis Jordan and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The band writes many of their own songs and their release of "Storm" was just one example of their homage to those music monarchs that have paved their way for a new generation of blues artists.

These veterans of the Delaware Valley Blues circuit have played together for several years with rave reviews. Along the way they have perfected their own style of traditional and contemporary Blues with the likes of Papa John De Francesco and have backed up Bo-Diddly, Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson, Peter Wolf (J. Giles Band) and opened for Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Bobby Radcliff, Kansas and Styx to name a few.

Sister Blue & Mark Furman @ Towne House Stag Bar (8:00 pm)

- A Philly native, Sister Blue fronts a driving blues band, with powerful vocals and stinging guitar leads. For variety, Sister Blue also leads an acoustic duo, playing blues and ragtime, including renditions of her favorite Bessie Smith songs, as well as compositions of her own. Sister and Mark Furman have done countless gigs together, and Sister has also performed with Zep Harpo, Roney (of Roney and the El Dorados), and Shakey.

- Guitarist Mark Furman fronts the popular Mark Furman Band, and like Sister Blue often plays with other area blues musicians. As noted, this will not be the first time they have performed together.

Dennis Donnelly @ Coffee Beanery* (7:30 pm)

- Dennis got in on the ground floor with the State Street Blues Stroll lending it his now 20 odd years of Blues and Slide Guitar expertise. As Blind John Davis put it, "Play slide like that, you're no color at all." Here is just one glowing review:

"Donnelly's smooth rich voice wraps each and every one of his lyrics in a beautiful package and makes a present of each song. Dennis Donnelly is the happiest man with the blues."

- Dewayne Wright, Bluestime Magazine

Mark Baker & Blues Breakers w/ Pucci @ Pinocchio's* (7:30 pm)

- Pucci Talbert has a special talent to sing the Blues. In her appearance at this year's Blues Stroll, she will be fronting the much experienced local trio of Mark Baker on guitar, Sam Chicks on bass, and drummer Dave Indevero. Pucci hails from nearby Sharon Hill and, over the years, has given some legendary performances with the likes of The Hipnotics, Roger Girke & the Funky Twisters, and the late great Red Shank and his Shakin' Souls. She and the Barbreakers entertain frequently at CJ's Blues Bar in Glenolden.

Bradley N. Litwin @ Margaret Kuo's Media* (7:30 pm to 12:00 am) (Dinner seating only)

- Contemporary, Delta Blues, Stride and Jazz Guitarist Can Sing. Litwin represents the arrival of music that marries peak finger-style guitar performance with a vocal style that engages from the first phrase, and dazzles as it shifts from dark to light, funny to tender, and smooth to rollicking. Taking on the rompin' stompin' fingerstyle guitar of Blind Blake, Robert Johnson and Mance Lipscomb, the smooth singing of the Mills Brothers and Nat King Cole, and the exhilaration of Bessie Smith, Litwin emerges with a sound all his own. Treating roots music like an old friend who just stopped by after decades past, he carries on with a front porch conversation as though it were never interrupted.

Frank Tucci @ Leon BenAri Jewelers* (7:00pm) also @ Plum Street Mall (5:00pm)

-A South Philly guy who stated playing gigs with his guitar at 12 years with the likes of Frankie Avalon and Charles Earland. Then the pre-Casino Louis Mallesque Atlantic City scene. Lands in Vegas at 20 years old and does the Fremont opposite Wayne Newton. Many groups and gigs thereafter. Now owns three music stores, a recording studio and "Independent Artists" booking agency.

Roger Girke Band & Johnny B and Irving Street Blues @ Main Line Today Veterans' Square Stage* (7:00 pm to 10:30pm)

- Respected guitarist/singer/writer Roger Girke has been performing and recording steadily after hitting the nightclub circuit in 1975. By 1978 and at just 21 years old Roger scored a pivotal touring gig with Capital Recording Artists Pickins'. Pickin's was legendary at the time for their funky fusion of blues and rock with a southern groove. Contacts made during that early success paved the way for an endless string of regional and national touring opportunities with diverse artists on Arista, Electra and RCA records. At the conclusion of twenty years of playing over two hundred plus dates a year as a first-call guitarist, Roger was ready to focus on his own projects. In 1995 Roger relocated to Delaware and after recording and performing with notable Delaware based acts Nik Everett and Rockett 88, formed The Roger Girke Band in 1999 releasing two critically acclaimed CD's, the later "My Baby Loves That Stuff" winning an esteemed "Top 5 self-produced" accolade in the 2005 International Blues Challenge, which takes place every year in Memphis, TN. Additionally the band is a two time IBC finalist (2005 & 2006)

Johnny B and Irving Street Blues - Johnny "Hammond B" Bickel, age 16, Hammond Organ, vocals: Johnny's sound is stylized after the great Jimmy Smith of Norristown and Memphis' Booker T for that soulful edge. Doug "The Rhythm Master" DiFilippo, age 19 on drums: a solid energetic percussionist with a funky grove. Ian "Iceman" Hoper, age 19, electric guitar: a mastery usually found in players with decades more experience. Patrick "Bluesman" Bickel, age 20, on bass: Patrick, also of the Roger Girke Band, has an expertise reflecting his love of the classic Motown / Funk Bros./James Jamerson's sound.

The Birch Brothers, Go for Broke, Tom Mullian, Johnny Never, Special Brew'd featuring Tea & more . . .
@ Keystone Bank/Seven Stones Café/Plum Street Mall "Local Stage"* (5:00 pm to 10:30 pm)

Go for Broke - Their line-up includes Penny McDonald, drums; Fred Powell, guitar; Julia Vaughters, piano and bass; Sly Cuff, keyboards; and Greg Taylor, bass. Hosts of tonite's First Keystone Bank Local Stage.

The Birch Brothers - Richie, Robbie and their cohorts crank up the Geetars and Rock the House at the First Keystone Stage. Beware: they could introduce Stroll peoples to the rather strange inner workings of Chester Burnett, MacKinley Morganfield, Son House and the like. Some say rock; some roll. But it all starts with da blues.

Tom Mullian - Tom has played in many clubs and at WXPN's World Café Live. He has performed at innumerable rallies, festivals, and fundraisers. He has been a featured performer in Media's Americana Roots Festival and Blues Stroll. He's also played numerous open mics and at Quaker monthly sharings, schools and meetinghouses. His music has been broadcast on NPR, KYW, and the Independent Media. Tom's most recent release is "Six Strings Against The War".

Johnny Never - (not his real name) is an organic acoustic blues artist. Deriving his style from old recordings of Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Blake and others, Mr. Never does not copy these artists as much as honor them with a unique, true to form style of playing. There is no point in playing any particular song exactly the way you hear it on an original recordings, because the original artists never played a song the same way twice. There was always lots of noodling, blues spirit, borrowing of licks and mixing of lines with all the blues originals like Blind Lemon and Big Bill Broonzy. All of em'. Self taught, Mr. Never, who derives his name the 1980's Never Brothers, plays because his soul breaks out in hives if he doesn't. Mr. Never has been pursuing "the honest" blues for about 20 years. He has played at the Point, the State Street Media Blues Stroll, as well as various coffee houses and bars in the area.

Special Brew'd featuring Tea - Taking the great leap forward tonight, the new local R&B band that includes of few of Media's gems: Musical Director Mark Hunter, twin brother Mitch, drummer Bob Martin, background vocalist Charles Walton, co-founder lead vocalist Ed Jackson, and co-founder lead vocalist Tea. When you're tired and down, sad and blue, come to the Special Brew'd. For info and booking call 267-973-9786 or 610-565-1735.