Magazine °5 con alma de blues) ingles

Ken Tucker

Chase Walker Band

Matty Wall

Edition N°5 /English Version June 2016* Argentina

WILL WILDE Interview

GUY KING

Interview

Jeff Fetterman Band

Cristiano Crochemore

Interview

Larry MCCray Interview

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Director General Contributor Assistant principal Graphics & Design Mabel Sosa Richie Ferrao Gustavo A. Zungri Frank Roszak Betsie Brown Edition N°5 Eze Lindow English version june 2016 Shein Die

radioconalmadeblues.com.ar conalmadeblues.com.ar polloking2.blogspot.com polloking@hotmail.com facebook.com/ConAlmaDeBlues facebook.com/ConAlmadeBluesProducciones

INTERVIEW

Larry MCCray Page:51 Guy King

Page:15

Billy Branch Page:9

Notes & interviews Mike Sponza Billy Branch Guy King Jeff Fetterman Will Wilde C.Crochemore Tomiko Dixon Matty Wall Shein Die Larry MCCray Ken Tucker Sugaray Rayford Chase Walker

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MIKE

SPONZA

“The Guardian of European blues”

Interview

By Gustavo Pollo Zungri Director CADB Magazine Translations.Mabel Sosa

Blues, soul e rock'n'roll are the key words to describe Mike Sponza, guitarist, singer and composer, on the European blues panorama since early 90's. A lifetime commitment to develop a personal style, contemporary and rich of different flavors.

Original tunes and detailed arrangements are the main ingredients of Mike's music.

In the last years Mike Sponza established his name on the international scene with his discographic projects and his performances, showing the great vitality of Italian blues from a new point of view.

“If artists like Bob Margolin, Lucky Peterson, Georgie Fame, Ian Siegal, Ronnie Jones shared music with me, maybe it means that even an Italian way to the blues can be possible.�

MIKE

SPONZA

M

ike, Italian blood and black soul, it is very well described by the Jazz, Funk, Blues and Rock you produce.

What was this bambino’s childhood and his opening to the world of the

Blues like?

My music influences are similar to many European musicians of my generation… No one in the family played any instrument, but I was exposed to radio and records: mainly records, I would say.

I started listening by myself what I could find around in the house - all my attention was attracted by rock’n’roll, Beatles music, guitars… Then, suddenly, around 12 I’ve discovered that music could be also played with an instrument, and I’ve bought my very first guitar.

I’ve been very curious since the beginning, and I’ve studied for few years many different styles and genres, and at 20 I’ve started my first professional blues band.

Quite simple, no?

GZ: Here in South America, not many people know that you are a very important column of the black music movement in Europe, and about your hard work trying to spread this musical culture through the old continent…

I try to keep the flame of the blues alive… when we play this music, we also carry a message. I work with young musicians, I do my own songs, I am an active member of the European Blues Union...

I think that there can be a possible “Euro Blues”, and we can be happy about the differences from country to country, in the music, in the lyrics, in the roots. It’s not just copying what has been done in USA or UK.

Interview GZ: You have played and recorded with Bob Margolin for instance, and have kept many connections with great musicians from USA. For many purists it’s a headache to see other cultures which are not from Mississippi playing Blues. How was your contact with the American musicians? Have you ever suffered any kind of discrimination for being European?

In Europe there is a strong blues community, and of course the “blues police” is always at alert. Sure, sometimes it’s not easy to be an Italian playing blues music, but what can I do?

I AM an Italian who tries to play blues music…. ! That’s it, it will never change.

But I think you have to do your music in your way, and if it’s not really “orthodox blues”, well who cares? If artists like Bob Margolin, Lucky Peterson, Georgie Fame, Ian Siegal, Ronnie Jones shared music with me, maybe it means that even an Italian way to the blues can be possible.

GZ: In 2005 you started the “Kakanic Blues” project, the first Blues initiative of Central Europe. Tell us about the importance of this work…

In Central and Eastern Europe the music “boundaries” are really more open and genres mix together more easily. I live on the border of the former “iron curtain”, and I’ve started playing in those countries more than 20 years ago: I noticed immediately that blues and jazz musicians had a very personal approach to this styles of music. They were not afraid to mix them and create new sounds, even to sing in their languages! I wanted to bring all these great artists together and create a new “blues collective”, that’s how the KAKANIC BLUES project was launched. It still exists, and we do some shows every year.

MIKE

SPONZA

GZ: If you had to choose to keep the traditional blues in its primitive state or to expand and enlarge the styles, what would you choose and why?

Every great bluesman of the past is great because of a personal new sound. They all looked ahead, not behind.

Music should always develop and reach new expressions.

Like all the other forms of culture in our society do.

It’s natural to me, to look for new ideas, sounds, lyrics - but of course I must respect the “vocabulary” and the style, by keeping an eye to the roots.

There are a lot of musicians who play traditional blues: some of them are really great, deep and sincere. Some others are just replicas.

GZ: Where in Europe have you and the Blues gained more acceptance?

I’ve seen a good appreciation in Germany in the last 2 years. France and Switzerland are also accepting very well what I do.

I’ve been performing in all Eastern European countries: I love to do it, and the people are great.

It’s absolutely great to perform only original songs, and see the people understanding and enjoying them: that’s the perfect audience. It’s also a responsibility of the artists, to be understood….

GZ: If a book about your life and career had been written, which would have been the title and why?

Ahahah… “The Smooth One” could be a good title. Another good one could be “Praise to normality”: in a world where a lot of people try so hard to be special, I love to live a normal life, actually.

I’ve always been a great fan of the so-called “Aurea Mediocritas”, the golden mean to live away from excesses. I never look for troubles.

Interview GZ: Have you ever felt discouraged and this situation helped you to compose? Is there any teaching you’d like to share with us?

Well, the are “waves” in the energy that you put in your music, work, life. I guess it can happen to be somehow depressed now and then, but I’ve learned to wait. Good moments will arrive if you work hard.

I believe in this. You can use bad times and good times to write music and songs, there is not a rule for this.

GZ: Do you know any Argentinean musician? Is there anything that you admire from our country?

Unfortunately, I don’t know much about blues artists from Argentina, but of course I know about all the great music genres Argentina is famous for.

I have some good friends who moved in my hometown from San Miguel De Tucumàn, and I often ask them about your country. I would love to spend some weeks in the pampas.

GZ: Amongst all your discs, which one gave you the feeling of touching the sky with your hands?

I’ve released 12 albums in my career, and I can tell you that the trilogy of “European Blues Convention” between 2004 and 2011, left a great mark in my career.

But for sure, the album with the symphonic orchestra and the brand new one interely produced by (and at) Abbey Road studios, are the best. The new one, “Ergo Sum”, is the highlight of my career… for the moment.

GZ: Which unfulfilled dreams would you like to come true and which are your future projects?

I would like to find a way to reach a wider audience, of course.

I’m focused on new projects, new songs, and new way to bring my blues to more people.

My biggest goal is trying to improve a little everyday: until I see I’m getting better, well, this is my fuel!

Mike Sponza

INTERVIEW

By Eze Lindow Harmonica musician “Big Tones Blues Band ” Translation: Mabel Sosa

ho w n a m a s hi c n a r B y l r a p “Bil l a c i g a m a o t d e t d n was invi a , s e u l eb h t s a n w ” e ty kno m o c o t ne o y r e v e s t wan Harp master Billy Branch has been a figure of the note on the Chicago blues scene since he was discovered by Willie Dixon in 1969, and after more than four decades, he’s grown from a young buck bringing new blood to the blues scene to an elder statesman who stands tall for the music’s traditions.

Billy Branch was discovered by Willie Dixon, the “father of modern Chicago Blues,” while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree, Billy began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an under study for the legendary Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for 6 years.

H

i Billy, How are you? I’m Ezequiel Lindow (30), blues harmonica player from the north of Argentina and a big fan of yours. First of all I’d like to thank you for sharing this time with us to speak about our passion: the Blues and the harmonica.

Please tell us about your program “Blues in schools”. What is it about and how did you decide to do it?

I began practicing Blues in Schools in 1978. I received a grant from the Illinois Arts Council for a residency at a local Chicago public school. I was one of the first participants in this program, and have been teaching Blues in Schools (BIS) longer than any other artist. Blues in Schools is a general term, and is currently practiced by hundreds of artists around the globe.

There are several variations of my program. The most basic, is interactive performances, in which I perform with a guitarist, or with my band, and we do a concert which incorporates the history of the blues into a live performance. I use a lot of audience participation within the context of the show. I always make it a fun event for the children, who are very receptive and enthusiastic. Sometimes, these children are provided with harmonicas. I have frequently taught more than 500 students at one time to play basic blues riffs on the harp.

The more comprehensive aspect of my program is when I do a residency. This can last from 1 to 4 weeks. I do this with a guitar accompanist, and also, if the budget permits, my entire band participates.

In this case, we usually have 2-hour daily sessions, 5 days a week. All of the children learn harp from me. I teach them blues history, and give them oral quizzes daily. They listen to blues recordings, and learn standard blues songs. They also are taught to write their own songs. Over the years, some of these songs have been good enough to merit being recorded.

INTERVIEW After the first hour, the students split up and join the other band members to have instruction in the respective instruments, (guitar, bass, drums, piano). In the final weeks of the program, the students perform at area schools, and in some instances, nightclubs and festivals.

Although I began this program in Chicago, I have practiced BIS all over the world.

About 7 years ago for example I did a 2 week residency in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. I worked with noted artist Ramon Guitterez.

We had over 50 students, it was a wonderful experience. I even taught my classes in Spanish. (with a little help) The students were very receptive. I have also taught in Japan, Canada, Belgium, England, and throughout the US. Over the years I have had such heartwarming experiences. In many cases students’ lives were turned around. I would work with “problem” children, who would often become my model students. They just needed something to relate to. I estimate that since 1978, I have reached close to a million students.

EzL: Have you ever found any harmonica player who has been influenced in his or hers early years by your program?

There are a handful of former students of mine, that are now full time professional musicians.

There was one young man from my program in Seattle, Washington, that is a professional harp player. His name is Julian Jacobazzi. Demetria Taylor, daughter of legendary Bluesman, Eddie Taylor, calls me “Uncle Billy”. She frequently reminds me that I did a performance at her school when she was in fourth grade. I am playing on her CD. EzL: Have you got any anecdote, funny, sad, inspiring or just a memory from those times shared with Willie Dixon?

I have many fond memories of my tenure in the Willie Dixon Chicago Blues Allstars Band.

Willie was a very deep thinking man. He was very much a philosopher. Once, while we were waiting in the airport, about to return home from the Mexico City Blues Festival, Willie told me something that I never forgot. He said “If it becomes known that my culture is as rich as your culture, then what basis do I have to put you down?”. You see, Willie felt that there was

a conspiracy to keep the blues off of the radio in the US. He reasoned that since the blues were the roots, they represented the culture of African Americans. By denying the blues, you deny a people’s culture, and thus make it easier to discriminate against them. That conversation remains a vivid memory to this day.

EzL: Which was your best recording session or the most enjoyable one? Do you have any favorite blues song?

I have had so many great recording sessions with so many fantasic artists. Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, to name a few. One of my favorites is a recording by a virtually unknown artist named Hayes Ware. It was titled “Hayes Ware’s BluesBlues Ghetto Woman. This was an impromptu project. Hayes Ware was bass player for Chicago Bluesman, Hip Lankchain. It turned out that he was a guitar player, and incredible songwriter. I achieved the most incredible, funky deep tone of any recording that I have done. He produced it himself. We recorded in a tiny studio in the basement on the southside. I believe you can find it on Youtube.

EzL: Do you listen or enjoy any other music genre? Which one or ones?

I listen to everything. Oldies, classic rock, old r&B, classical, jazz, new age. If It’s good to me, I dig it.

EzL: Speaking about your sound, besides the tone you got, do you use any effect? Why? I normally use a delay and octave pedal for effect. The delay gives me a variation of reverb.

The octave pedal fattens the sound on certain solos.

INTERVIEW EzL: In general for us harmonicas and its tones are like women… We love them all! Haha, but is there a tone you enjoy more than any other?

Why? The tone that I described on the Hayes Ware recording is my favorite. However, I’ve never been able to duplicate it on stage. When I’m recording, I use various amps and mics for different tones. It all depends on the song.

EzL: What’d you recommend to the readers who are starting or who are already playing harmonica?

Listen to the good players, practice, practice, practice. Sit in whenever you can.

EzL: Who is Billy Branch in your own words?

Ah, that is the question I’m still trying to figure that out. But I do know that Billy Branch is a man EzL: What’s your opinion about the actual blues who was invited to a magical party known as the music? Or do you simply prefer listening classic blues, and wants everyone to come. one?

For over 40 years, Blues has been my life. I enjoy Thank you very much! See you at the next Blues! all forms. Again, it’s a matter of personal taste Billy Branch and preference. Of course my favorites are the classic Chicago Blues harp players. Little Walter, Rice Miller, Carey Bell, Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, and many more.

His Excellency

Israel born Guy King moved to Memphis, Tennessee at 16, before finally settling for Chicago, in the hopes of starting his musical career. There, he met blues legend Willie Kent, who would become his mentor and with whom he would collaborate, until Kent's passing in 2006. As Kent's bandleader and guitarist, King toured the world to the tune of 300 shows a year in just over five years. In 2001, the young guitarist recorded and co-produced Kent's award-wining and critically acclaimed album Comin' Alive!. In 2006, King's career as a leader took off with the formation of the Guy King Band. King's debut solo album, Livin' It, was released in 2009.

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Interview

By Mabel Sosa Co-Director CADB Interview and translation

W

e are very pleased to have this interview with you Guy. It’s a great opportunity for our readers to know more about you and your music.

GK: Thank you for having me.

MS: How was your childhood in Israel, and when did you start with music?

GK: It was great; I grew up in a very small rural village with beautiful scenery, agriculture and nature. I liked music since I was born. I was singing very early. I started playing clarinet around the age of 7, and continued until I picked up the guitar around the age of 13.

MS: In those days buying a disc was a matter of patience, wasn’t it?

GK: Yes. Where I grew up, it wasn’t easy being exposed to a lot of music, especially when it came to Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul or Jazz. When I was finally able to listen to the particular musicians that I wanted to hear, it made the experience that more meaningful, because music was so hard to obtain. It made me cherish the music more.

MS: Who were those who inspired you to play the Blues?

GK: My musical inspirations were and still are: B.B. King, Albert King, Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Ray Charles, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Erroll Garner, Jimmy McGriff, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie. I could name more, but these were some of the first influences who made me go deeper into the Blues and music in general.

MS: When did you decided to move to USA and what do you remember of those first shows?

GK: I had already visited and toured the US when I was 16 years old, but I decided to move to the US after my army service in Israel when I was 21. The first shows were very exciting, and made

Interview

me want to continue on my path to be the best I could be. It was also inspiring to see that people were interested in what I had to say musically and enjoyed it.

MS: How did you meet Willie Kent? How were those years?

GK: A French magazine reporter who wrote about the Blues in Chicago took me to see Willie Kent play in one of Chicago’s Blues clubs and introduced us. After hearing Willie, I was immediately impressed and moved by his voice and his playing. He invited me to come see him again and called me up to sit in with him. We clicked quickly; he enjoyed my playing and decided to take me under his wing. Shortly after that he asked me join his band. It was wonderful playing with Willie Kent. He taught me a lot and showed me many things to do and not to do. Thanks to Willie, I had many shows to both play and sing in front of audiences, which helped me develop my own musical style.

MS: You’ve opened shows for some of the greatest bluesmen touring around the world. What are your feelings when you are on stage in front of the audience? What do you want to give?

GK: I feel joy. I feel a sense of honor and privilege to perform in front of audiences that are coming to enjoy my music. I want to give the people a wonderful show. I want my audiences to feel the music: the melody, harmony and take them on a “musical ride” to experience real feelings that I hope they enjoy and experience joy from.

MS: I attended your last show in Buenos Aires at Mr Jones shortly after BB King’s passing; your tribute was really soulful. What are your most precious memories of those who are no with us anymore?

GK: Thank you, I wanted to pay tribute to Mr. B.B. King, who is a big influence on my music. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to show my respect and give credit to B.B. King as well as other musical greats who I have learned from. My memories from the ones who have passed are very meaningful and helped shape me to the person and musician that I am today.

MS:Tell us about your last disc by Delmark Records “Truth” GK: TRUTH is my latest album and one that I am proud of and was a joy to make; I am very glad to have the opportunity to record for Delmark Records with their impressive legacy of wonderful Blues and Jazz past and present recordings. TRUTH was produced by Richard Shurman, who produced Albert Collins and Otis Rush, among others; working together was great, and gave me an opportunity to concentrate more on my music and use Mr. Shurman’s advice to make a better album! It was an honor and a pleasure working together. I also had the pleasure to co-write three songs for TRUTH with noted author David Ritz (The autobiographies of Ray Charles, B.B. King,

Interview Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy, and Willie Nelson among others) which was a wonderful experience.

I had my full band, horn section, and background vocalists record with me and it was a joy to do.

Making TRUTH gave me an opportunity to tell my story today, and I hope that the listeners enjoy!

MS: What’s your opinion of the actual Blues? Is it faithful to the roots? Or do you think it’s changing and it’s ok?

GK: To my ears, most of the Blues today and music in general, is a little different today.

In my opinion the thing that makes music, especially the Blues, so wonderful, is the depth and soul of it. I think that if music has these elements, this is what is important and will always connect naturally and truthfully to the roots.

MS: What are your dreams? And looking ahead, what are you musical plans?

GK: I would love to make wonderful music, and hope that I can bring my music to as wide of an audience as possible. As for my musical plans, I will continue to create, record and perform my music. I would like to be on the road more and reach more people.

MS: Thanks a lot for your kindness. To end the interview do you have any advice to those who are making the first steps in music?

GK: Thank you for your questions! My advice to those making their first steps in music is this: try to be the best that you can be and make sure to stay true to the music in its highest form and quality. There will be adversities and difficulties, so you need to really love the music.

Guy King

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Jeff Fetter

In

rman Band

nterview

JFB is a blues/rock band that has been performing orginal and cover music for more than a decade. They have had songs featured in film and television, including The Closer, Passions, and the Spanish film Tough Guy. JFB has shared the stage with acts such as Molly Hatchet, Buckcherry, Three Dog Night and most recently 38 Special

B y Gustavo Pollo Zungri Editor & Director CADB Magazine

Jeff Fetterman Band J

eff . first of all congratulations for your new álbum "Bottle Full of Blues," . Here in Argentina, blues lovers were pleasantly surprised by it. We want people to have the opportunity to know you better. Tell us how did this blues story start GZ:When did you start writing about music— and what or who were your early passions and influences?

I always wrote music in some sense or form since the very beginning of my playing when I was a teenager. My influences are Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bruce Springsteen. Those are the big 4 GZ:If you could travel to any moment in time, when and where would you go and who would you have liked to meet?

I would think I would like to go back to the 60s and 70s era of music. To me that’s when it was really happening and the magic of music was really coming out. If I could have met anybody from that time frame I would have to say Jimi Hendrix. Just because he was so different in the way of everything, he dressed different, he thought different and certainly played different.

GZ: Do you remember to have lived any hard situation that had left one more blues mark on your soul?

Nothing in particular stands out as being the most mark for blues. I’ve had my ups and downs just like everybody else has and does. I certainly have a natural feel for the blues, I just gravitate towards that style of music; it’s something that I feel inside

of me. It’s hard to describe but that style of music just hits me inside, when I hear it or play it, I just have this immense sensation of feeling and passion that wants to burst out from inside.

GZ: Tell us about your music in TV programs and commercials On my first album, The Long Hard Road, I landed a 3 song publishing!"!!!! with Transition Music Corp in California. They ended up using a harmonica part from my song “Hellbound Train” for use in a Ford Commercial, and the song “These Arms of Mine” has been featured in TNT’s The Closer, and NBC’s Passions as background music, which is pretty cool GZ: At this point in your life what are the things that thrill you and which ones grieve you with regard to life or music in particular?

What excites me is when I finish a song I’ve been working on and I finally see it come to a close and a finished song. (haha) It’s a great feeling of accomplishment and it’s nice to have something new added to the list, but within a few days I’m digging deep again to try and make more music. I also get very excited when I’m going to be on a bill with some of the artists I’ve always admired while growing up. That’s always a great excitement.

As for what makes grievances, I would say that the music business is very frustrating at times. Trying to establish yourself and prove yourself can be very hard at times when you know what you’re capable of doing but trying to prove and sell yourself to the industry insiders can be extremely difficult. Most inside connections don’t want to have much to

Interview

do with you unless you’re on a label, which in my opinion makes it extremely frustrating because I don’t believe you need to be on a label to be a great musician or band. I’ve seen some great acts that don’t have a label but are just as good, if not better than some who are on a label.

GZ: Perseverance is highlighted in your life, you’ve played with the great ones, and your name is among the featured. Have you ever thought about quitting your dreams? What can you tell to that young man who struggles and fights but loses his faith in reaching his goals?

I’ve always been a chaser of dreams, ever since I was a child, I was never a quitter. When people tell me I can’t do something or I won’t be able to do something, it fuels my fire and passion to try even harder to prove them wrong. If I truly believe in something with my heart and soul and it’s implanted deep inside of me. I will not give up no matter

what, I’m a very stubborn person in that sense and I’m a fighter. I’ve thought many times about giving up and being done with music. I think every artist has thought that at some point in their career, but the passion and the love of the music keeps you going. It’s something that won’t let me go. I would be a lost soul without music. Those who don’t play music don’t fully understand the feeling and the passion that overtakes you when you’re the one who plays it.

GZ:What projects are you currently working on?

And what are your future plans?

I’m currently playing live dates with my band and writing new material and will eventually put out another album in the near future.

GZ: You have travelled around the world, taking your art close to the audience, which was the most strange and difficult place where you had to play with your band?

Jeff Fetterman Band Interview

Hmm, every place is different and every audience reacts differently but every audience always enjoys the show. It’s hard to say where the most difficult place to play was as I’ve always had great experiences when playing music.

GZ: How do you overview the Blues in your country among the young people and what is it necessary to do?

The blues in the USA is big to certain audiences.

A lot of the younger generation prefer alternative music or hardcore music but in certain communities and cities, I’ve found the blues scene to be extremely vibrant and thriving. There are certain demographic areas that embrace the blues more so than other scenes.

GZ: Thanks a lot for this interview for our magazine. Would you like to give any message for our young readers who are starting in music?

Thank you for your taking the time out to give me this opportunity. It’s greatly appreciated. If I could

Hmm, every place is different and every audience reacts differently but every audience always enjoys anyIt’s advice or any player thegive show. hardto tobeginner say whereplayers the most difficult for that matter, it would be to stay true to yourself place to play was as I’ve always had great experiento your dreams.

Follow your heart and your cesand when playing music. passion and give it everything you’ve got. Don’t lose your and don’t what thecountrend GZ: How doidentity you overview thefollow Blues in your or who’s supposedly cooland in the local just to tryisamong the young people what is itclick necesget people to like you.

Stay true to yourself and do sary to do? your own andisenjoy rewards of working The blues inthing the USA big tothe certain audiences. hard for what you want; the rewards are a great feA lot of the younger generation prefer alternative elingor and sense ofmusic accomplishment when you work music hardcore but in certain commufor itand andcities, it comes.

It’s a feeling of immense pride. nities I’ve found the blues scene to be You also have to have an extremely thick skin extremely vibrant and thriving. There are certainto be in the music you have to be able demographic areasbusiness; that embrace the blues moretoso handle a ton of rejection on a daily and weekly than other scenes. basis, it hurts but when that certain venue or gig onThanks a bill with someone along, GZ: a lotthat for certain this interview forcomes our magait makes it all worthwhile and washes away all the zine. Would you like to give any message for our doubtreaders that you ever There’s not a greater feeyoung who arehad. starting in music? ling in the world than when you’re playing music Thank you for your taking the time out to give me and everything It’s is falling place andIfyou’re deep this opportunity. greatlyinto appreciated.

I could into a zone than nobody can take or away you. give any advice to beginner players anyfrom player It’s magical, it’s the closest thing to heaven you for that matter, it would be to stay true to yourselfwill experience. and to your dreams. Follow your heart and your passion and give it everything you’ve got. Don’t lose your identity and don’t follow what the trend is or who’s supposedly cool in the local click just to get people to like you. Stay true to yourself and do your own thing and enjoy the rewards of working hard for what you want; the rewards are a great feeling and sense of accomplishment when you work for it and it comes. It’s a feeling of immense pride.

You also have to have an extremely thick skin to be in the music business; you have to be able to handle a ton of rejection on a daily and weekly basis, it hurts but when that certain venue or gig on a bill with that certain someone comes along, it makes it all worthwhile and washes away all the doubt that you ever had. There’s not a greater fee-

“Will Wilde is the extraordinary harmonica wizard of recent times�

Will Wilde picked up his first harmonica at the age of 16 and played it until his lips bled. Weaned on the likes of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Buddy Guy, Wilde grew up steeped in traditional Chicago Blues, yet his focus as an artist remains resolutely on the future.

Wilde fuses his passion for blues with his love of rock. He takes what's authentic and powerful about the music he grew up loving and introduces the raw energy of bands such as Led Zeppelin, Free and Deep Purple without losing the heart and conviction of the blues.

With knowledge and respect for the original masters of the instrument, Wilde takes the harmonica to a whole new level. Thomas Ruf (Ruf Records) called him 'The Hendrix of the Harmonica'.

His live show has been described as: 'A masterclass of blues harp playing, bar none.' (Blues in The North West).

Wilde has been six times nominated in the British Blues Awards for best Harmonica player (2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015)

Interview B y Gustavo Pollo Zungri Editor & Director CADB Magazine

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

W

ill, thank you very much for the contact and for your new CD, I liked it very much! Let’s start the interview with this record. What does it mean to you?

It’s my first live record so it’s very important for me. We recorded it at the Downtown Blues Club in Hamburg last year. It just felt like the right time to record a live album. The band was sounding better than ever on stage and I wanted to capture that energy on a record.

GZ:Which are the differences, the pros and cons of recording a live disc than in studio?

How do you prepare yourself?

I suppose there is more pressure when making a live disc because you only have one shot at it.

We had road tested the songs on tour leading up to the live recording, making improvements to the set after each show so the band was really tight. We had a lot of support from our fans in Germany. Some people had come from as far Weiden, ten hours away, just to support us, so we were in safe hands. I think the main difference with a live album is that you can feed off the energy of the crowd, I think this comes across in the recording. It was important to me to keep this record as live as possible. A lot of bands

nowadays redo almost everything in the studio afterwards and to me that defeats the point of it being a live album. I did two small vocal fixes on the whole record, just two lines. Everything else you hear is exactly as it was on the night.

GZ:You are Dani Wilde’s brother; tell us about your childhood. Which would be the reason that you are both so keen on the Blues and on music in general?

Dani and I always played in bands together when we were younger. I started off having guitar lessons as a kid and she was learning drums. Then I taught her what I knew on the guitar and she taught me to play drums and we swapped instruments. I was a drummer up until the age of 17 when I taught myself to play harp. I played harp in Dani’s band for a few years when she first signed to Ruf Records and cut three albums with her; Heal My Blues, Shine and Juice Me Up. The blues influence came from our father, he’s not a musician but he’s always listened to a lot of blues and soul records, so we grew up hearing it every day and going to a lot of blues festivals. I fell in love with the music; Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me” was the song that made me want to start playing harmonica.

GZ:Is there any chance of a recording together?

Possibly; we don’t play together much anymore because we are both too busy with our own bands. We did an acoustic duo tour together last year though; perhaps if we do another one in the future we will make a record too.

GZ:Related to the blues, do you have any favorite phrase to describe it emotionally?

To me the blues is everything. Every emotion can be expressed through blues I play, whether I feel happy, sad, angry, frustrated, it all comes out in the music.

GZ:You play various instruments, which are your favorite equipments and which ones do you usually use?

I play Seydel 1847 harmonicas and a Fender Telecaster Blacktop guitar; I run them both through a Fender Super Reverb. I often switch between harmonica and guitar on stage, on the new live record I played guitar on two songs; “The Girl I Love” and “Jealous Woman”.

GZ:Why do you think that the best rock, punk and related styles musicians come up and have come up from England?

I think we are quite an aggressive nation, and that comes across in the music. British rock music has always had a harder edge.

GZ:What are your personal wishes for your career?

To keep playing music and evolving as an artist and introduce the blues to a wider audience.

Will Wilde

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

http://conalmadeblues.com.ar/

Cristia

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

INTERVIEW

ano Crochemore & Blues Groovers

By Mabel Sosa Co-Director CADB Interview and translation

Brazilian “Gaucho” guitarist Cris Crochemore started playing blues during high school, and by the 1990s was playing with legendary guitarist Bebeco Garcia, founder of “Garotos da Rua” (a pioneer rock & roll band from southern Brazil). Today, Crochemore forcefully compels haunting emotion from his Fender Strat and Gibson Firebird guitars, at the same time creating plenty of feeling with his passionate vocals (all in English).

Cristiano&Crochemore Blues Groovers

W

e are very pleased to meet you Cristiano. You are a “gaúcho” from Porto Alegre, and you are actually living in Rio de Janeiro. In a country worldwide known for its percussion sounds, how did you meet with the Blues?

Thank you so much for this invitation. Yes, this is a good question. I was born in a country that has its culture roots based in Samba, Choro and Bossa Nova, but for me, I fell in love with blues and rock and roll by listening to my mom’s records after school. I could felt that there was some strong passion on those songs, and I realized pretty soon that I wanted to do some similar music too.

MS: I've heard a story about your school days, a group of friends playing music...

Tell us about these memories.

When I moved to Rio, I started to study in a school full of musicians, and that helped me a lot to improve my playing. I could also try to play live with other people, and the most important, in front of an audience.

MS:The South of Brazil is the place where the blues is gaining a place through great festivals, is it true? Famous musicians gather there to enjoy the blues. What can you tell us about this and your shows in Brazil?

INTERVIEW

The south of Brazil has always been known as a Rock and blues spot, probably because people there aren’t so rooted in samba. We have our own form of music and we are more open to others types and styles too. Mississippi Delta Blues Festival is becoming bigger and bigger each year, with lots of great musicians from Argentina by the way: Pato and Daniel Raffo, Rafa Nasta, Gabriel Cabiaglia, Nico Smoljan and many others, and of course the North American guys, so it has been a great opportunity for all of us to watch and play in Caxias.

MS:You’ve walked through US, and have played your music in some of the most traditional and famous lounges in Chicago for instance. How was this experience?

To have a chance to play on those venues was really a dream came true. Places like Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosas, in Chicago, BB Blues and Soups in St Louis, and also places in Clarksdale Mississippi a very important place in blues history of course. I have to mention Manny’s Car Wash, in NYC too. But I must say, the greatest reward is always the recognition coming from the people when I played. They liked it, and they were surprised when I told them that I was from Brazil.

MS:You use to play with the Blues Groovers. Who are they?

The Blues Groovers are a great, great band that used to play with some important artists when they were touring in Brazil. People like Charlie Musselwhite for instance and with some important Brazilian names as well. They have a particular way to carry the rhythm session with Beto Werther on drums, Ugo Perrotta on bass and with the powerful and straight riffs coming from Otavio Rocha’s guitar. There’s no better way to play and sing than with these guys playing with me. I’m so proud to have them with me, not only playing live, but also, in the composition process.We’ve been doing everything together since our second album.

Cristiano&Crochemore Blues Groovers MS:Please tell us about the sounds of your last disc "Guitar Playing Dude”. What do you inspire in when you have to compose?

Well, we all feel that those early rock and roll records are the best, so we try to have that feeling in our songs, with a modern way of playing and always having the blues behind...keep the music simple and say what you have to say, with strong rhythm and powerful lead guitars that combines with good melodic vocals. We think that the blues is a wide field; we can spread its limits a bit so we can put our rock background, creating a BLUES ROCK record.

MS:What are your memories of the shows in Argentina? Did you know any local musicians? Any dates in 2016 here?

We have great memories from our shows in Argentina. One of the best audiences we’ve ever had, because you guys have a really strong rock culture, we might say that rock is the argentinians’ native music, together with tango! haha, so everywhere we played, we felt easy to connect with the audience. On my latest tour in Argentina, the Blues Groovers couldn’t make the gigs, so I had the pleasure to play with Matias Cipiliano and Damian Hueso Casanova, great guys and great musicians! We are working on 2016 tour, dates coming soon!!!!!!

MS:If you could travel to any moment in time, when and where would you go and who would you have liked to meet?

To Texas, to meet young Johnny Winter and young SRV! I would love to see them performing with Muddy Waters, and Albert King, respectively!

MS:Some things keep people apart but music joins and the blues is a deep soul feeling. What do you think?

I believe music have this power. That is to bring out something hidden in people, feelings that people won’t be aware of or even capable of sharing to other people in other levels. Hearing, sharing, playing, writing, that’s the power of music and the power of Blues music! Feelings about love, life, joy, pain, sadness, happiness… music is always a lovely way to keep these feelings alive, and Blues is maybe the strongest form of music to do that!.

MS: Thanks a lot for this interview for our magazine. Would you like to give any message for our young readers who are starting in music?

That old but always helpful advice… try to do it better than everything, never give up on your dreams, and study and practice, always, and forever… keep learning until the last day of your life!! Even when you and everybody else say that’s enough, it never will be!

REVEREND FREAKCHILD – ‘ILLOGICAL OPTIMISM’ This is a 3-disc set. The first disc contains an eclectic mix of 15 songs. The second consists of a dozen radically different versions of the Reverend’s popular song, “Everything Is Now.” That sounds boring, but trust me, it’s not. The third, by Ramblin’ Jennings, is much less eclectic but very solid contemporary Christian gospel blues.

By now you realize that Reverend Freakchild is an unusual character. But don’t let that fool you into thinking he is not a talented musician, because he is, or that he doesn’t sing uplifting, enjoyable songs, because he does. Although most of the songs on the first disc are covers, these arrangements are completely different from any other you have ever heard, yet they work extremely well. For instance, John Lennon’s “Imagine” is my favorite song, and I love the Reverend’s version. Some of the other songs on here you might think you are familiar with are “Hey Pocky A-Way,” “Who Do You Love?”, “All Along The Watchtower,” Woody Guthrie’s “Pretty Boy Floyd,” “Hellhound On My Trail,” Lennon and McCartney’s “Yer Blues,” and “See That My Grave is Kept Clean.” But you are not at all likely to have ever imagined any of them (with the possible exception of the very Dylan-esque version of “Pretty Boy Floyd” ) like this. Please don’t be thinking that I man these are parodies. They are not. They are very different and very sincere tributes.

Disc 2 takes “Everything Is Now” and turns it into a variety of different songs, including hillbilly, French, German, New Age, and more. It is just something you have to hear, but you will be amused.

Disc 3, by Ramblin’ Jennings, is a total change. These 19 songs deliver a gospel message, but in an entirely non-preachy blues style and with some excellent guitar and harmonica. All o the songs aer originals except for thhe much-loved “John the Revelator.”

Reverend Freakchild is talented, imaginative, and completely different from but never disrespectful of his sources. For me, he is another artist who will turn up on a “best of the year” roundup, without a doubt.

www.www-reverendfreakchild.org/

Interview

By Richie Ferrao From Uruguay Staff CADB Magazine

y Con M , y l d n i k y r e “Thank You v y friends t i n u m m o C s e Alma Blu y today, s e t r u o c e h t g for extendin eed.” d n i e n i m l l a the pleasure is

Tomiko Dixon

Willie Dixon’s legacy continues through his granddaughter Ms Tomiko Dixon (Songwriter), “The queen of song/Song machine” known as “The Granddaughter of the Blues” GrandBlues Music Chicago Illinois…

“The Queen of song machine”

L

et’s start talking about your childhood; we’d like to know about it.

Born Sept.22 1980 to Johnnie T. Dixon. My Mom Johnnie Terri Dixon is the 7th child born to My Grand Mother Elnor Franklin Dixon and My Grand Father The Great and Legendary Master Composer and Producer William J. Dixon (Willie Dixon) by way of Chicago Illinois..

I grew up on the South side of Chicago in a community called Englewood… early 1980s (A Black Diamond in the Ruff ) A time where it was nothing going on but Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll. My life has been an experience for sure… I’ve learned and have seen so much, in these 35yrs… I’ve learned to as my grandfather Willie Dixon would say “Keep On Going If you ‘re sure you’re right” and I taught myself to make a way out of no way, and I’m still learning new things as we speak…

Over all I would say I’ve had a interesting childhood/life thus far and you hear it in my music and performances.

You hear the struggle, the love, the pain and most of all you hear my mind, heart, body and soul… “You Hear and Feel the Blues “ in every genre I write and / or sing, I write and sing it all.. “You hear and feel the Blues”

RF: When did you realize that singing was your goal? How did you feel when you sang in front of an audience for the very first time?

I realized singing and writing as a goal when I was a child. My mom says I was singing from the womb, lol and actually started writing at the age of 8yrs old…

I’m sure that’s why my grandfather made sure he spent a lot of time with me, when I was growing up…

RF: Have you ever studied music or you are self-taught?

Yes I’m self taught… influenced by my grandfather Willie Dixon of course RF: What is it like to gain a place in the blues world being the great Willie Dixon’s granddaughter?

It’s a trying , but easy road for me. It’s trying because, the Blues is more of a novelty music to my generation and younger folks.. It’s easy I’ve been passed down the best bloodline one could have in Blues… So it’s bitter sweet…

RF: Have you been influenced by any singer in your musical style?

Yes!!! Koko Taylor, Etta James, Tina Turner, Meatloaf, Prince, Mick Jagger & The Stones, Eric Clapton, Bono, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aero Smith, Led Zeppelin, Cindy Lauper, Ray Charles, Johnny Winters, Selena ,Celine Dion , Gloria Estefan, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga of Course My Grand Father Willie Dixon

I have so many influences, mainly because I love all genres of music..

RF:How would you musically define your first disc “My inheritance”? Are the lyrics about personal experiences or they speak about life itself?

It’s a little bit of both…. life and personal experiences RF: Do you see that young people consume blues music or it’s for older people?

No, but I’m sure that if my generation were to be exposed to the Blues more, It will grow on them as well. I think for the most, they just don’t know what it is…

RF: Do you think that the social media is a good tool for the musicians to spread their work?

Yes, it is… Just Imagine the time when there was no Social Media and artists had to physically travel just to connect.. , Geesh Social Media Rocks in my book!!!

RF:Do you know anything about South American Blues?

Oh Yes, my uncles have informed me of how much love they’ve received from around the world… So I am so looking forward to writing and performing with different nationalities and cultures RF: Do you do anything else besides music?

Yes, but it’s all music and music business related…

RF:What are your memories of the Willie Dixon Tribute Chicago Blues Festival 2015? Would you like to tell us something about it?

Sure, well as a little girl traveling with my grandfather and watching him perform, I’ve always wanted to be a headliner at the Chicago Blues, so the entire fest in itself was like a dream come true for me indeed.. I Rock It!!!!

My website is www.tomikodixon.com We’d like to see you soon in South America.

I’m looking forward South America…

LONG LIVE THE BLUES My FRIENDS!!!!

Tomiko Dixon

RF:What can you tell us about your last disc “Grand Blues Music”, which are your expectancies and what are your projects at this moment?

“Grand Blues Music” is my sole own publishing company established in 2009. I‘m currently collaborating with various artist and bands from around the world on what I call The Blues around the world CD Collection. So Vol. #1 will be released this 2016 RF:To end this interview first we’d like to thank you for your kindness and would you like to leave us a reflection for this new year?

Well this new year is what I’ve branded as “The Year of the Blues “ So stay tuned everybody…. friends and follow me on these sites below..

Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, Instagram, Youtube or simply Google the name Tomiko Dixon..

Willie Dixon & Tomiko Dixon

Recommended Albums Toronzo Cannon THE CHICAGO WAY Chicago born and bred blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Toronzo Cannon keeps the city’s blues flame blazing with The Chicago Way. Playing all self-penned material, Toronzo’s lyrics sting just as hard as his fretwork, and his singing resonates instantly with a gruff soulfulness that begs for repeated listening. From frisky shuffles and hard blues to buttery ballads and funky R&B, Toronzo Cannon blends all flavors of Chicago blues and makes them his own.

Mike Wheeler Band Turn Up Nicely tight work from Mike Wheeler – a contemporary bluesman on the Chicago scene who strongly continues the legacy of the city from the 60s onward – from his work on guitar, to his soulful lead vocals, to his talent for penning a tune! The work here is all original material by Wheeler – tunes that almost have more of a soul structure at times, but which are given a definite electric blues spin in Mike's guitar leads – and the cooking work of his group, which adds in an extra trumpet and tenor to the usual quartet. Titles include "You Won't Do Right", "A Blind Man Can See", "I'm Hooked", "Talking To Myself", "Turn Up", "Yeah", and "Sweet Girl".

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Interview ‘Blue Skies’ is un ashamedly a modern blues album, and brings together blazin g guitar work, soulf ully written orig inals along with some well-chose n classics, and st akes Wall’s claim as a new artist t o wa for fans of A tch ust lia’s thriving rablues underbelly .

B y Gustavo Pollo Zungri Editor & Director CADB Magazine Translations :Mabel Sosa

The blues is music that traveled on trains and steamboats from the Mississippi Delta to the neon streets of Memphis, Chicago and St. Louis. For MattyTWall – a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader – it is the supernatural sound that crossed the ocean to Perth, Australia to ignite his imagination and give power to his art.

As a guitarist, Matty wrings raw emotions from single notes, stretching and bending the strings of a Les Paul into sounds both persuasive and human. While he is capable of blazingly fast leads, he also drives the beat with percussive punctuation and solid assurance.

W

e are very pleased to have this interview with you Matty.

It’s a great opportunity for our readers to know more about you and your music.

Matty. first of all congratulations for your new ålbum "Blue Skies" . Here in Argentina, blues lovers were pleasantly surprised by it. We want people to have the opportunity to know you better. Tell us how did this blues story start GZ: When did you start writing about music—and what or who were your early passions and influences?

I started writing music almost the same time as I started learning guitar, around age 12. My earliest influence was probably AC/DC, then Metallica, but I soon came back around to blues.

GZ: If you could travel to any moment in time, when and where would you go and who would you have liked to meet?

I would have loved to meet Jimi Hendrix before he left for London, maybe round 65/66, before he became huge, to ask him about all he learnt about performing and his thoughts on being creative in music.

That would be interesting.

GZ: Do you remember to have lived any hard situation that had left one more blues mark on your soul?

Yeah, definitely. I had a particularly debilitating auto-immune illness that I am still recovering from, and around the same time that it was particularly severe I had opened a business and started another, whilst having my first child. All that experience made me a lot tougher. I almost lost it all, lost everything, and I mean everything.

Very happy I came through that in one piece.

Interview GZ: At this point in your life what are the things that thrill you and which ones grieve you with regard to life or music in particular?

Everyday stresses from work and relationships are the constant things that weigh you down, as are disappointments that you come across in the music industry. What makes me happy is being able to change someone's mood or get them more positive about their life though my music. That is particularly moving.

GZ: How do you overview the Blues in your country among the young peo ple and what is it necessary to do?

Blues is big and very much alive in Australia.

It is a tough market and there are some really great singers and guitarists here. I need to be at the top of my game to even get noticed here.

GZ: What’s your opinion of the social networks as a way of spreading music?

Facebook groups for instance where people share and publish videos of their favorite artists…

It is helpful, but I get the feeling that it misses many more people if it is used purely as your prime networking tool. Playing shows is still the #1 GZ: Which was your best recording session or the most enjoyable one? Do you have any favorite blues song?

My most rewarding recording session was recording “Love Gone Away” and Voodoo Chile” on my debut album. Very much captured the emotion in those guitar solos.“Going Down” is probably my favourite blues song right now.

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

GZ: Tell us about your last disc "Blue Skies"

Well, the songs had been developed of a number of years, there were actually a few more that didn't make it to the final cut, but may be on the next one. It is a real journey through all different types of contemporary blues sounds, at the same time trying to hold onto my core sound. I am very happy with how it turned out, and it actually went to number 1 on the iTunes Blues Charts in Australia!

GZ: What’s your opinion of the actual Blues?

Is it faithful to the roots? Or do you think it’s changing and it’s ok?

Well, was Robert Johnson doing something new? Was BB King doing something new?

Is Gary Clark Jr doing something new? There is your answer. They found a new way through the blues genre with their own sound, and then kept and developed that sound/style. That is my same point of view with Blues Music.

If you are being 100% honest about your music, which the blues really should be, you will find your own sound and go from there.

GZ: What are your dreams? And looking ahead, what are you musical plans?

My dream is to make a living from playing blues, whilst still having plenty of time for my family. In the future I would love to travel to and play at the top blues festivals around the world.

GZ: Thanks a lot for your kindness. To end the interview do you have any advice to those who are making the first steps in music?

Well, 'practice makes permanent' would be the best advice. And find the music that you are most passionate about and play it all day everyday if you can. Then you will get to the point that people want to hear your play and your music career begins.

Matty T Wall

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Vasti Jackson - Juke Join t Festival 2016

m Albert White & Sa

Frazier Jr.

Robert BILBO Walker

SHEIN DIE

photographs All Rights Reserved

Leo BUD Welch & Dixie Str juke join eet t festival 2016

“I think that I have not given my best as of yet and that The Best Is Yet To Come�

By Gustavo Pollo Zungri Director and Editor CADB Magazine Translation:Mabel Sosa

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Interview

Larry McCray is one of a handful of talented young blues performers leading the genre across boundaries and into the new century. McCray's savage blues-rock guitar and warm, soulful vocals have drawn attention worldwide.

L

arry, in Argentina we love your music and it’s always a pleasure when you visit us. What is your opinion about our country and how have you felt here?

I love Argentina very much. It is the first place it made me cry when it was time to leave. I have been several times since then and each time it gets harder to leave.

GZ: What do you think: you’ve chosen the Blues or the Blues has chosen you?

Well I think in my case that the blues definitely chose me because I have no ties , or affiliation or association with a big city where music was being played so I don't really know how I Learned or how I got involved with music. So this whole experience is a gift GZ:Your father was a great harmonica player and you’ve grown by the side of your older sister who played guitar.

Do you remember which was the blues song that caught you? Was it because of the music or the lyrics?

My first blues song was Jimmy Reed peeping and hiding I really like that beat and it was fun to play on. And many many many blues songs were recorded to that beat so when you learn that beat you can play lots of songs already. Jimmy Reed was my first influence besides my sister Clara

GZ: Your greatest influences were the three King. Can you tell us what brought each of them to your way of singing and playing?

I loved all three of the Kings bbking and is very classic elegant voice BB's guitar was very Jazzy and bluesy at the same time, albert king on the other hand was very Earthy very sad and very blue so deep with emotion that his guitar cried, Freddie King and all the muscle and Power of a locomotive an amazing display power vocals and blue rock guitar, Albert Collins was the missing piece Texas razor YouTube slashing stinging effect. In my world those were the most important and influential guitarists of my generation for blues music. They were my gurus and their music was my Bible.

Interview GZ: Who would you have liked to share stage with but never could do it? Why? Of course I would have liked to share the stage with all four of my mentors unfortunately Albert Collins was the only one I had a chance to share the stage with although I was very good friends with BB , we talk all the time when I would see him, albert king was very warm and counseling always willing to give constructive criticism. although he was known for not being very nice he was always nice to me and my band because we went out of our way to show him respect. My first major support tour was opening up Gary Moore's Still Got The Blues tour, Albert Collins was his walk on Guest we saw this for about 50 nights and every night before his performance Albert would come to me and my band's dressing room and warm up his guitar play with us before going to stage. He was like a big brother and always willing to show us a better way, what a gentleman!. Luther Allison, James Cotton and Buddy Scott we're also some of my favorite senior musicians who were very nice and cordial and willing to help younger and oncoming musicians GZ: How did you get your first guitar? When was the first time you were paid for playing blues?

My mother bought me my first guitar when I was 12 years old. She purchased it from my brother-in-law who purchased it from a guy he worked with in General Motors. It was a 1962 Gibson ES 330 sunburst I loved it so much I carried it everywhere I went and never put it down and worried my parents to death. That was when I was 12 years old my first paying gig was for my friend’s wedding and I was 16 years old at the time.

Interview

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

GZ: Are you committed to politics? Which are your social ideals?

I am a public figure and I don't allow my politics to interfere with my work. I find the people are very influential and too spontaneous to react when someone's opinion is different. That is why I never speak my personal opinion on politics it is for the individual GZ: You’ve worked as an auto parts assembler at General Motors in your youth. There you met the harmonica player Lazy Lester who encouraged you to keep on playing blues. Had you lost your faith on the way to earn a living by playing the blues?

Is not that I lost the faith I never had the faith because I thought the opportunity for me to record or to become a recording artist was impossible and would never come for me, so I never envisioned myself being in this position GZ: Have you ever been heartbroken? How was the blues important in that moment?

Yes I have been heartbroken and I am experiencing recovering from heartbreak right now in my life. I was diagnosed prostate cancer 3 years ago and during this time that's when I lost my wife and son. it was a very difficult time and an awful experience alone especially when there's no one that you love or feel close to, to help you get through those types of times. And even today I still have no contact with my son so I definitely understand and appreciate fact that there is heartbreak So my friends, the blues music and determination where the only thing that got me through along with the grace of God GZ: Have all these years on the road left any

teaching on you? Have you managed to be and achieved what you wanted to?

The road is beautiful because it takes you to so many different places, it allows you to exchange so many different cultures and learn so many things that you don't have a chance to when you don't travel, with the road is also very unforgiving very taxing and stressful on your body I credit that stress is part of what made me sick, in terms of my Personal Achievement I think that I have not given my best as of yet and that The Best Is Yet To Come GZ: Have you got any message to those young people who are starting and give shows to small audiences in pubs?

To all the young musicians know that Talent is very important but a very small part of what makes you successful in the music business so please pay attention to your business, know that your writing and publishing is the most important things in your musical career and the primary way for you to make money and for your career to work positively in your behalf GZ: Who would you like to thank if this was your last day on earth?

First and primarily I always thank my parents for life and for my upbringing. I would thank my sister for sharing her gift and I would think all the lovely people that I have met in my career that have shared so many beautiful cultural things and have taught me so many things about life that I never would have learned had it not been for my musical experience. Thank you to everyone who have ever supported my music, my life would not be the same without you .

Larry MCCray

INTERVIEW

Ken Tucker has 27 years experience as a guitarist, songwriter, and performer. He has played for several groups over the years including,Christian Music Legend, Larry Norman. Canadian Rocker, Lindsay Ell, Darrell Mansfield, as well as sharing the stage with the extraordinary, Shawn Mullins. Josh Hammond, Ken's occasional music partner and collaborator, is a harmonica playing and guitar picking force of nature. In spite of their diverse musical upbringings, they compliment each other amazingly well. Ken's gravelly, baritone voice is a perfect blend for Josh's high tenor harmonies.

By Gustavo Pollo Zungri Director CADB Magazine Translations.Mabel Sosa

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

K

en. first of all congratulations for your new ĂĄlbum "Look My Way " . Here in Argentina, blues lovers were pleasantly surprised by it.

We want people to have the opportunity to know you better.

Tell us how did this blues story start?

It started when I decided to make an album using my son, Russell Tucker, on the drums and a college friend, Virgil Franklin on bass and keys. We got together and started writing songs in the studio and then recording them. Our goal was to capture the live, spontaneity of the early blues recordings with little or no overdubs.

GZ: When did you start writing about music—and what or who were your early passions and influences?

I started writing songs when I was about 4 or so. My first songs were horrible but I kept working on my writing of both music and lyrics as well as listening to artists like Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Little Feat, Lightnin' Hopkins and Larry Norman. These were just a few of my big influences. Bob Dylan's lyrics were also quite influential on my lyrics because of his ability to paint lyrical pictures and that's something I wanted to do as well.

GZ: If you could travel to any moment in time, when and where would you go and who would you have liked to meet?

I'd like to go back to 1967 and meet Jimi Hendrix. He seemed to have been an amazingly gracious person with a profound musical sensibility.

GZ: Do you remember to have lived any hard situation that had left one more blues mark on your soul?

Too many to mention.

INTERVIEW

GZ: At this point in your life what are the things that thrill you and which ones grieve you with regard to life or music in particular?

The act of making music and seeing people respond to it is thrilling. Knowing that they are feeling something that speaks to them is a wonderful thing. The thing that grieves me is the music made today, it is so uninspired. The corporate music being shoved out of studios is meant for quick, mass consumption by a young audience that doesn't have the knowledge of what truly great music is.

GZ: How do you overview the Blues in your country among the young people and what is it necessary to do?

There is a movement starting in America where the youth are learning about and getting into the blues. The Blues in the Schools program is wonderful. It gives school aged students the chance to hear real blues by real blues performers.

GZ: What’s your opinion of the social networks as a way of spreading music?

Facebook groups for instance where people share and publish videos of their favorite artists…

I have mixed feelings about the use of social media to spread music. It’s a marvelous way to get heard but it makes it difficult to make money to support our craft by doing such. Some of my favorite artists are, Greg Martin, Walter Trout, Tinsley Ellis, Popp Chubby, Billy Banch, Albert King, Freddie King, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, and Tomiko Dixon.

GZ: Which was your best recording session or the most enjoyable one? Do you have any favorite blues song?

That’s really impossible to say but, this last one is special because I recorded with my son. He was 16 when he started recording this project with me. He is currently 18.

GZ: Tell us about your last disc "Look My Way" It is an attempt to make more primitive, lively, raw recording of songs that are very direct and groove laden. We used older instruments and amplifiers and played it all live with a few exceptions on some overdubs.

GZ: What’s your opinion of the actual Blues? Is it faithful to the roots? Or do you think it’s changing and it’s ok?

I love The Blues from Chicago, to Texas, to Delta, to Piedmont, and all the other forms. Everything from Mississippi John Hurt to Muddy Waters to Albert Collins to Johnny Winter to ZZ Top. If it's played with one’s whole being it's amazing.

GZ: What are your dreams? And looking ahead, what are you musical plans?

My dream is to tour other countries. I say let's start with Argentina!!!! My musical plans are to keep writing, recording, and playing wherever and whenever I can.

GZ: Thanks a lot for your kindness. To end the interview do you have any advice to those who are making the first steps in music?

Never stop playing. You will never be as good as you want to be but you should always strive for greatness. Believe in yourself and work at your craft. Learn your instrument and play it with all that you are every time you do so.

Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you.

Ken Tucker

Texas-born Sugaray Rayford may be a new name to blues and music fans outside of his current Southern California base, but he's got the blues as deep and wide has his commanding, gospel-drenched voice. His work as a featured vocalist under the Mannish Boys umbrella, both live and on their Double Dynamite release, made it abundantly clear that he was not only deserving of his own Delta Groove release, but that it was inevitable.

Interview

By Richie Ferrao From Uruguay Staff CADB Magazine

“Sugaray Rayford is a revelation as he powerfull y moans the blues…”

F

irst of all, thank you very much for this interview Well thank you very much for having me!

RF:Let’s start from the beginning, we’d like to know about your childhood and how did you get into music?

My childhood was tough, but I got into music through gospel music!

RF: How strong was the influence of church in your life and in music?

Church and the music was everything, it totally ruled my every waking moment until I joined the Marines.

RF:Did you have musical influences in your career? Who were they?

My mother was my first influence then the Winans in the gospel world. Later ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor, BB King & Little Milton, Son House.

RF: How was the road travelled before being part of The Manish Boys?

I first had one of the top soul bands in San Diego, the urban gypsys, and then Aunt Kizzyz Boyz, we played about 200+ shows a year RF:What can you tell us about The Manish Boys?

The mannish boys are true west coast blues legends and Randy Chortkoff was its driving wheel!

RF:Separating your life between the Manish Boys group and the release of your first solo disc “Blind Alley”, tell me which were your expectations?

Interview

I released Blind Alley before I was a mannish boy , I just wanted to do the music I love!

RF: How do you see the future of the Blues in the globalised world?

Well I think the blues is making a comeback in the states, but this music will be here as long as there are people who love and understand it. We need to keep exposing our kids to this great music.

RF: What’s your opinion of the social networks as a way of spreading music?

Facebook groups for instance where people share and publish videos of their favorite artists…

Facebook has been a great help. It was how some European booking agencies found me!

RF: Do you know Argentina or any other South American country?

I haven't played in Argentina but would love to , I've played Chile, Brazil , Mexico RF: How can you describe your last disc “Southside”?

I wanted to bring back the Memphis big stax sound to the blues, and Southside was born.

RF: It’s a disc where you have various styles, funk, soul, blues, etc and you are composer of all the songs.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I write about things that have happened in my life. I have plenty of material.

RF: How did you feel when you knew your disc got four nominations at Blues Music Awards 2016: Best contemporary Blues Album “Southside” and best song of the year “Southside of Town”, Artist of the Year BB King Award and Contemporary Bluesman Artist?

I felt very honored and I felt justified in the way I turned with this album and my career!

Sugaray Rayford's new release 'Southside' is all original material writter by Sugaray and his writing partner Ralph Carter.

Gino Matteo's guitar is as eclectic as the guitarist himself.

RF:Looking forward to have you in Argentina and South America presenting your disc soon, I´d like to ask you one last reflection: what can blues fans expect from Sugaray Rayford in the future?

From me you can expect a lot of energy, soul, showmanship y struts RF:Thanks in advance for your kindness for the whole blues community Con Alma de Blues.

Well thank you for even being interest in me Peace, Suga

Recommended Albums Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore House Party At Big Jon’s Seasoned harmonica ace Bob Corritore joins forces with rising young blues star Big Jon Atkinson (just 26 at the time of these sessions) for a collaboration with some of the world’s greatest traditionalists at Big Jon’s home-based Big Tone Studios. Recorded on all vintage equipment and with plenty of attitude, these sides exemplify how the nuanced, old school sounds can be carried forward and explored.

Featuring special guests Willie Buck, Alabama Mike, Dave Riley and Tomcat Courtney.

ALBERT CUMMINGS Someone Like You “Guitarist Albert Cummings is one of those rare modern blues players with a great mix of chops, vibe and feel.” - Guitar World “Cummings plays the blues, and he does it pretty darn well” - All Music For his newest recording, ‘Someone Like You’, Cummings chose to record in Southern California with Grammy-winning producer David Z (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov’t Mule) at the helm. Said Z, “Albert Cummings writes, plays, and sings the blues like nobody else. What a blast to watch him jell in the studio with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles.”

Interview

Chase

Walker Chase was featured as one of "The top ten musicians under 18 you need to know" in the April 2015 issue of American Blues Scene Magazine.

Band

B y Gustavo Pollo Zungri Editor & Director CADB Magazine Translations :Mabel Sosa

Exploding in the blues scene with genuine ruckus raising vinyl-worthy American blues rock, The Chase Walker Band is a sight to behold! The Chase Walker Band is a 3 piece blues band hailing from Southern California, formed by 17 year old blues guitar virtuoso Chase Walker (guitar/vocals), Randon Davitt, (16, bass /vocals) and Matthew Fyke (17, drums /vocals). Influenced by greats like Little Walter, Warren Haynes, Amos Lee and Tab Benoit, this tight trio’s sound and performance is polished well beyond their collective years.

Chase Walker

Band

We are very pleased to have this interview with you Chase. It’s a great opportunity for our readers to know more about you and your music.

Chase, first of all congratulations for your new álbum"Not Quite Legal” Here in Argentina, blues lovers were pleasantly surprised by it. We want people to have the opportunity to know you better. Tell us how this blues story started…

W

hen did you start writing about music—and what or who were your early passions and influences?

I first started writing music shortly after learning to play guitar. The first song that I felt was good enough to play for others was when I was 12, it was called “Long Way from Home” and it ended up winning the regional level PTA reflections contest. One of my earliest songwriting influences was JJ Grey with a band called Mofro. I really liked his songwriting then and still do.

GZ:If you could travel to any moment in time, when and where would you go and who would you have liked to meet?

I’m sure most people would answer this with something in the past, but if we are talking anytime, I would go 10 years into the future and meet myself.

I think it would be cool to see where I’m going and what mistakes not to make

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Interview GZ:Do you remember to have lived any hard situation that had left one more blues mark on your soul?

I am only 17 and my life so far has been filled with love and wonderful memories. I have had the occasional teenage relationships with girls that ended with brief heartbreak. I had a falling out with a longtime close friend and haven’t spoken to each other in a couple years. I have had crushes on girls that didn’t feel the same way about you. I have felt the social injustices in society through friends of mine living them. If you listen to the lyrics of my songs you will hear about my experiences with friendships, betrayal, love, social injustice, and all other life experiences.

GZ:At this point in your life what are the things that thrill you and which ones grieve you with regard to life or music in particular?

Well, I always like to go out and tour because I enjoy performing and I like getting to meet new fans. I also like getting into the studio to record.

Being able to take a bunch of parts and putting them together to make something that no one has ever heard before is fascinating to me. If there is one thing that I’m never too excited about is when I have to pack up after the shows. It can be a long and arduous task especially when we bring our own PA system.

Chase Walker

Band

GZ:How do you overview the Blues in your country among the young people and what is it necessary to do?

Most American kids my age have never heard the blues, at least not knowingly. They have heard bands like ZZ Top, The Black Keys and The Black Crowes but don’t realize these are blues bands. They think they are rock bands. I once had a girl in her early 20’s ask me what was the music I was playing called, I told her blues, she had not even heard of the term. American kids hear blues every day when they hear soundtracks from their favorite TV shows, but they do not know it is blues. I think the problem of my generation not knowing about blues stems from the major labels. As soon as a blues artist breaks out and becomes real popular the major labels start calling the music rock, folk, county, or anything but blues. We need more artists like Gary Clark Jr who have broken out into mainstream and constantly reminds everyone “I’m a blues artist.”

GZ:What’s your opinion of the social networks as a way of spreading music? Facebook groups for instance where people share and publish videos of their favorite artists…

I am all for it. Social networks have been great for me. I was called to perform on both American Idol & The Voice because they saw my YouTube videos. My goal is to have as many people show up to see my band play live and people sharing our videos is a great way to make that happen. I see some bands that refuse to

let videos be online of them, usually it’s because these bands are not good live, they are only good when they are highly produced in a studio.

Any time I hear of a band and all I can find online is a highly produced music video I am skeptical this band can perform well live. You take a band like Mofro or Blackberry Smoke and you will find live videos of them all over the internet, because they are great live!

GZ:Which was your best recording session or the most enjoyable one? Do you have any favorite blues song?

I really liked recording at Broken Dreams studios because every studio has its own sound and feel and this studio sounded and felt pretty great. As far as favorite blues songs I really like the song Get Back by Big Bill Broonzy. Even though it would be totally inappropriate for me to sing as

Interview a white blues artist, the melody and lyrics are so powerful that it really tells a story of what it was like living as a black person in the segregated south.

narrowed it down to 12 to release on the album.

I really like the songs we didn’t release and they will eventually get released as singles or on another album. The biggest challenge on finishing Not Quite Legal was finding the time to get into GZ:Tell us about your last disc ""Not Quite the studio. Between touring, all of us still in High Legal” School, and me filming on The Voice for a month it was challenging to find time to record. You When we went in to record our first album always hear something you would have changed “Unleashed” in 2014 it was a learning experience, but I am very proud of the final product. to see how the whole process of recording an album is done. When we went in to record “Not GZ:What’s your opinion of the actual Blues? Is it Quite legal” we were all much more experienced faithful to the roots? Or do you think it’s chanin the recording process and really knew what ging and it’s ok? we wanted the album to sound like. I wrote most of the songs for Not Quite legal when I was 15, I think that blues is one of the hardest musical a few when I was 16. We recorded 16 songs and genres to be good at because of the level of passion and soul it requires to pull it off correctly. Most blues artists today have nothing on guys like Robert Johnson or Blind Willie Johnson who could hum a whole song not using a single word and have more feeling in that song than the top 40 blues songs today. However, I do think that as times change so does music. I think that it’s a good thing for the blues to change because if it doesn’t it will die. People said it was crazy when blues artists started using electric guitars as opposed to acoustic ones, now that’s the norm.

It seems to me that whenever something is considered crazy, that is the direction people like me, up and coming artists, should be headed.

GZ:What are your dreams for the band? And looking ahead, what are you musical plans?

Con Alma de Blues Magazine

Chase Walker

Band

with others and feed off each other to grow and become better musicians. In almost every city in America there will be a local jam night where musicians will get together to play music, my guess is these jam nights happen everywhere in the world. Even if you are just starting out and feel intimidated to play with the older accomplished musicians, go to these jam nights and sit in and play. 99% of the time they will welcome a beginner musician with open arms and help teach you how to play with a band, which is entirely different than I really don’t have many aspirations for the band. playing alone. When you play alone you are playing all parts of the song, when you play Obviously becoming majorly successful would with a band you only play a small portion of be great but as long as we can feed ourselves the song and someone else is playing anoand do what we love to do than that’s fine by ther part. If it’s done right everyone playing me. So I guess you could say my dream is to never have to work a day in my life. As far as the together will sound amazing, if everyone tries playing too much it sound like horrible noise. direction my music is headed, it’s pretty much however I’m feeling at the time. I’m not hugely Once you get comfortable playing at the local successful yet so I don’t really have a formula jam nights put your own band together. The for what works and what doesn’t so until I do, I guess I’ll just do my music the way that I feel like most important thing when putting a band together is pick people you enjoy being around. doing it Picking someone to be in your band that you really enjoy being around is more important GZ:Thanks a lot for your kindness. To end the interview do you have any advice to those who than how well they play. Hopefully they play well also, but if you don’t enjoy being around are making the first steps in music? that person it doesn’t matter how well they play, the band will break up very soon.

My advice for someone starting out in music is to find other musicians that enjoy the same music as you to jam with. I meet so many “beChase Walker droom” players, guys & girls who only play their instrument alone. You really need to play music

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