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 Friday, 12 March 2010 |
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The Saint Paul Winter Carnival Gets The Blues - 1st Annual Blues Festival on January 23 |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 23 January 2009 |
 Maurice John Vaughn
The Triple Threat is here. Maurice John Vaughn’s guitar, saxophone or vocal skills alone would lure you in – the three together are the full package. MJV’s style of blues mixes in soul and funk for a contemporary sound that sizzles. Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, he started out blowing sax in R&B groups. Luther Allison, A.C. Reed, Valerie Wellington and Son Seals are a few of the artists who have recruited this versatile musician into their bands. He’s a top-notch songwriter who really reaches out to his crowd. Born in Stringtown, Mississippi, Eddie Shaw was playing saxophone in Ike Turner’s combo around nearby Greenville by the time he was 14. Shaw eventually moved to Chicago in the mid-1950s with an invitation to join Muddy Waters’ powerful band. After a few years with Muddy, Shaw joined Howlin’ Wolf’s band, eventually becoming the bandleader until Wolf passed away in 1976. Eddie Shaw’s many contributions to the blues include arranging tunes for The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions (which featured Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Ringo Starr and others) and performing with a list of blues greats that includes Hound Dog Taylor, Freddie King, Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Shaw’s a sweet and gritty singer whose sax provides a meaty attack.
Big George Jackson is known around the Twin Cities as "the authentic big man of the blues," Big George Jackson sings with a distinctive bass-rich voice only a six-foot, six inch gentle giant could be blessed with.
Spider John Koerner’s musical career has taken him to stages throughout North America and Europe. He has entertained MANY and influenced several generations of musicians. His group Koerner, Ray & Glover took the folk/blues revolution by storm with their 1963 release Blues, Rags & Hollers. His songs are recorded and performed by others, including Bonnie Raitt’s version of “I Ain’t Blue.” Another classic Koerner album that made the music world stand up and take notice is his 1969 release with Willie Murphy, Running, Jumping, Standing Still. His mastery of American folk blues sets him apart as a solo artist.
The Klondike Kates make well over 100 appearances a year. The current group of active members will participate in approximately twenty parades over the summer months where they sing live on the award-winning float. They also perform at many senior citizen's homes, Meals on Wheels, Chamber of Commerce shows, conventions, benefits, the Minnesota State Fair, and many other engagements.
Nikki & The RueMates recently released their new CD We All Live Together to critical acclaim. The RueMates music includes a heavy dose of country blues, with Nikki on guitar and singing songs done by past blues greats such as Memphis Minnie and Muddy Waters, and Rich playing finger style on resophonic slide and “regular” guitars. Carrie is the most recent addition (on bass). They also play folk music including spirituals, ballads, country and old timey, as well as original music collaborated on by Nikki and Rich.
BCIII is a trio featuring Sam Brooks on tenor sax, Cam Muata on lead guitar, and Bill Crutcher on MalletKat (vibraphone synthesizer) and percussion. The trio plays a soulful variety of Blues, R&B, Latin and mellow jazz.
Winter Carnival Blues Festival Schedule
MAIN STAGE
- 5:30 – 6:00 pm Klondike Kates
- 6:30 – 7:30 pm Big George Jackson
- 8:00 – 9:30 pm Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang
- 10:00 – 11:30 pm Maurice John Vaughn
ACOUSTIC STAGE
- 6:00 – 6:30 pm BC III
- 7:30 – 8:00 pm Spider John Koerner
- 9:30 – 10:00 pm Nikki & The RueMates
Tickets are $15 and are available at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or 651-989-5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. |
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