Band Lineup - Blues Summit - 2009
DAN PATLANSKY - Master of the Blues guitar.
In February 2005 Selwyn Miller, the New Orleans based manager of David Gates and Bread, Randy Crawford and Petula Clark, took Dan to America to promote his prodigious talent. While living in the City of the Blues he performed with such giants as Henry Gray (pianist for Howlin' Wolf), Snooks Eaglin, The Batiste Family and Rockin' Dopsie Jr and enjoyed great success.
Jurgen Human (Die Boer) wrote the following about Dan Patlansky: Some of the better guitar players and a few 'blues-nuts' may understand when I paint the following picture. A Battle-scarred red 1962 Fender stratocaster, scalloped fretboard, extra wide (bass guitar size) frets and extra heavy gauge strings tuned down a semi-tone a la Jimmy Hendrix style. This is more a weapon of mass destruction than a guitar and it is the preferred tool of a serious axeman called Dan Patlansky.
Proper blues gigs are hard to find in South Africa and a really good three-piece blues-band is even rarer, so when you do find them, they are to be treasured. In a three-piece set-up, there is nowhere for a mediocre player to hide. No keyboard or second guitar to cover-up the little mistakes. Every error is instantly obvious. But as unforgiving the three-piece environment is for the average musician, so rewarding it is for the master of his craft and his audience. There is space for the musicians to explore, every subtle bend of a string, every tiny tickle of a cymbal can be savoured and this is exactly what you can expect at the Summit this year.
When I heard Dan Patlansky the first time in 2002, he was 19 years old, playing in a nice, dodgy, smoky blues bar called Julians in Northcliff, JHB. My jaw literally dropped open.. It was supposed to be impossible for somebody that young to play the blues-guitar that well.
At 26 years old, Dan Patlansky already achieved what most accomplished guitarists could not master in a lifetime of trying. He's is beyond the stage of trying to impress his audience with too many notes... (although he can be blisteringly fast if he wants to). Instead he has lately concentrated on being an artist and doing justice to the music of some of the great players he has learned from. He can make the guitar moan softly in anguish, sing with playful happiness and growl in anger.
Blues can be played on most instruments, but it is on the electric guitar that this genre really comes into its own, and Dan Patlansky is one of the finest exponents of this art form you will ever see. Whatever you do, don't miss it!
What this South African lad achieved in a few months many thought would take years. Hurricane Katrina cut short this opportunity and Dan returned to South Africa, leaving behind some valuable equipment. Plans are in place for Dan's return to the U.S. to work with Grammy winning producer David Z. World-renowned guitar manufacturer, Fender, recognized Dan's pyrotechnic talent and offered an endorsement to promote the company's products.
In 2005 Dan performed in Dubai at the Coca Cola Company Celebration along with UB40 and Shaggy - an unprecedented achievement for a young South African musician. In 2006 Dan performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival sharing top billing with Jose Feliciano, Miriam Makeba, Lou Vega and Freddie Coleman.
Dan has now released his third album, 'REAL', which show-cases his song-writing abilities using a down-to-earth blues sound with a modern twist. www.danpatlansky.com
BOULEVARD BLUES - Undercover Agents For The Blues.
www.boulevardblues.co.za
Whoa!!! If you ever thought that the Blues is gloomy business - think again!
These guys have a repertoire of kick-ass numbers that is guaranteed to lighten any load. A motley bunch of some of the finest blues and rock artists in the country. With an average 10 to 12 gigs a month these guys are spreading the blues gospel and you better listen up and get ready to rock out because 'snot en trane' is not what they are about.
Tight, well oiled and a unit of international quality. They have been busy entertaining fans all over at festivals in Southern Africa for the last 10 years.
Boulevard Blues are (left to right):
- Greg Smith - Blues Harp, Percussion and Backing Vocals
- Dr John Mostert - Lead Vocals
- Graeme Abbott - Drums
- Richard Pryor - Guitars and Backing Vocals
- Rob Stemmett - Bass
Fronted by the infamous Doctor John the man who went round the block and then went round again just because he knew he could. He is the real deal Blues veteran... he doesn't just sing the blues, he lives the blues.
With Blue blood pumping through his veins they once opened him up to see if he really was the real deal and after finding whiskey dust flowing through his veins they proclaimed him 'Doctor of the Blues'. This Durban veteran still sports the trademark dark shades and hat, but besides his eccentricity still maintains the same gravelly vocals that have the ability to rattle the rafters, inspire the soul and linger long after the show has ended.
With some blistering lead guitar from Richard 'Pebbleman' Pryor the action doesn't stop. Without a doubt one of the top guitarists this country has ever seen, he has been fine tuning his blues skills with high octane rock induced solos and a great passion for setting the blues world on fire.
With an interesting mix of Blues, Rock, Metal and Jazz guitar techniques he will keep you guessing until the final pinched harmonic squeals into glorious feedback.
Watch him at your own risk......
Checkout his solo rock project at www.pebbleman.co.za.
Greg 'Turkey Neck' Smith completes the frontal assault with intricately woven harp solos and some percussive skills of note. A real character of the band... One look at Greg and you know you got the Blues. When the Blues Cake arrives Greg knows exactly how to decorate it with singing vocal-like Blues solos and an array of delicate percussive techniques that only a man with a giant heart, one kidney and a huge turkey neck to boot can achieve.
Robbie 'Bassline' Stemmett on bass guitar covers the backline with warm funk induced catatonia. A true master of the low frequencies, he is the glue that binds us all together. He tells a story with his bass guitar and it's not for the feint hearted.
From the very first note he weaves until the last note is spun, his grooves will unfold and they will tell a tale of mystery and energy that will keep even the most jaded individual out of their seat and rockin to the rhythm.
Backing them up and in great form is Graeme Abbott on Drums. A golfer by day and a drummer at night... he knows how to lay down the rhythm late into the evening. And when he lays it down, it stays laid for a long time to come...
Boulevard Blues' latest CD and DVD 'Railhouse Tracks' will be on sale at all their gigs. So if you want to see, hear, meet and even get to smell a world class blues band, then come and see Boulevard Blues strut their stuff at this year's Table Mountain Blues Summit.
ALBERT FROST
New Porn formed in 2003 when Albert joined forces with Arno Carstens (Springbok Nude Girls) and went gold with their outstanding debut album Another Universe in May 2004. It won Albert and Arno the Best Rock Album Award at the SAMA Awards in the same month they supported REM on their world tour in March 2005. Albert Frost shared stages with South Africa's finest: Vusi Mahlasela, Louis Mahlanga, Morris Goldberg, Nico Carstens, Ollie Viljoen, Theo Crous, Anton Goosen, Riku Latti, Gerald Clarke and the Springbok Nude Girls. True highlights in his career include performing with The Rolling Stones in Spain in 2007, playing a show with Oscar winner Tim Robbins in the Blues Room and being part of the REM tour in 2006; the presidential inauguration and celebration of the 10 years of democracy in 2004 to an audience of 70 000, as well as collaborating with double Grammy Award winning Malian legend, Ali Farka Toure for an exclusive function launch for priceless African manuscripts from the 14th century in Cape Town, hosted by Thabo Mbeki.
Albert Frost started playing the guitar in 1989, when he was only 12. He was voted as Best Blues guitarist in South Africa by Stage Magazine. This fact, however, shouldn't let you underestimate the man's serious Rock abilities.
In 1994 he started playing alongside his father, the legendary Frank D. Frost, in the awesome blues band, the Blues Broers. Frosted Orange was created in 1996 with artist Simon Orange ,who played keyboard and vocals for Blues Broers.
Albert performed with Valiant Swart from 1999 to 2003 and recorded Blou Kombuis with Koos Kombuis in 2000. In 2004, he played with the Belgian band, Blues Lee at the internationally acclaimed music festival, Pukkelpop, in Belgium. Daniel Lohues, an international blues performer from Holland, collaborated with Albert at an electrifying Oppikoppi show during the same year. Releasing his first solo album titled Catfish in 2002 created a new spectrum as he performs original songs and Frost-versions of the classics from Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters to name a few. Albert is a mood-man who can perform intimate solo shows and an electrifying fusion of blues and rock and roll funk with his Trio band.
He's played at the past 11 Grahamstown Festivals, 8 Oudtshoorn KKNK festivals, 6 years at Aardklop, did a 4th performance at Woodstock, Splashy Fen - and incredibly, 2008 year marked Albert's 21st Oppikoppi Festival performance.
This year saw the release of folkrock singer Myburgh's debut album, Woestyn, an album that Albert produced. Myburgh and Albert were at school together in Somerset West. They had a band called The Fauves and were in later years the original founders of the infamous South African band Dorp.
Albert is an all-round master guitarist with a passion for music that reflects happiness over any audience and for lovers of all genres - he effects success into the albums of many artists and is loved by crowds all over the world.
GERALD CLARK Trio
Delta Blue confirmed their reputation as an ever evolving, innovative and highly original group over the last 8 years and now to carry the torch into the future. Gerald Clark has embraced it with both hands and 12 vocal chords.
Gerald Clark is in for a long long journey, like most bluesmen inevitably should.
Driven by a need to play and live this most mystical and magical of music genres, the blues has taught him much about music, life and what it means to befriend the long open road.
A musical journey that started mainly with twelve bar blues has picked up a lot of influences along the way, but has always stayed close to the hallelujah.
Gerald soon became responsible for introducing this genre of music to many a virgin ear and soon made fans all over the country- not only of the band Delta Blue, but also the blues!
Now forging a solo career and teaming up with some seriously talented musos he is again knocking on our door with a great new solo album.
Featured many times on MK with his killer song 'Rietfontein Se Leidam'...
Don't miss this killer performance.
DAVE FERGURSON and The Lonesharks
The Lonesharks with frontman Dave Ferguson are Cape Town's own highly entertaining 'true to the genre' Chicago Blues band, they play their own brand of Blues mixed with West Coast swing, Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco with the recommended daily allowance of Country Twang.
With ex Gereformeede Blues Band guitarist Willem Moller doing the 6 string duties they are a blues force to be reckoned with. They recently shared the stage with "American Blues Artist of the Year 2008" Candye Kane.
Dave Ferguson has to be one of the best harmonica players in the world. This man is a show on his own! He was born in Cape Town where at the tender age of 17 he started playing the harmonica and cut his teeth in various Blues, Rockabilly, Rock and Country bands.
He returned from the UK where he has been living and working for the last 10 years including a stint in Nashville and some gigs in Australia. Something of a regular on the London Blues scene he also played with the now US based Alt. Country outfit 'The Arlenes', Emily Barker (The Low Country) and John Townes Van Zandt. He has appeared on a number of commercial releases one of which went double platinum in the UK and Ireland.
Find them online at www.myspace.com/davefergusonthelonesharks
THE THUNDERBIRDS
The Thunderbirds have now recently re-formed after 20 odd years. Although a bit older, they are still just as wild and dynamic on a big stage.
The band members consist mostly of the original members of the notorious "Late Final" band.
- Jerry Barnard on bass and vocals,
- Rupert Mellor on Piano, vox & harp,
- Graham Merrill on Bone and vox,
- Richard Black on Guit and Vox, (and a real AC30 Vox aswell)
and 2 new members...
- Dave Evans on drums and
- Storm de Klerk on sax.
Each member has history:
Jerry Barnard: ex Holy Black, Late Final.
Rupert Mellor: ex First Aquaintence, Hedge Hoppers, McCully Workshop, Late Final and his solo career.
Graham Merrill: ex Navy Band, Late Final.
Richard Black: ex McCully Workshop, Late Final.
Dave Evans: ex Peanut Butter Conspiracy.
Storm de Klerk: young, hip & trendy. Our newest member .
They have played to thousands of fans at places like Basin Street and the Garden Village, big jols in the late 70's early 80's and built up a huge following.
The rep is Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, Blues Brothers, Supercharge, and lots of good-time Rock n roll.
Richard Black wrote the horn parts back then, but when they stopped playing, they lost the bone parts....
But Graham Merril rediscovered them (20 years later) while moving house and so the Thunderbirds where reborn.
When it's time for more Rock 'n Roll boogie and less Blues....don't miss this 'Late Final' Ensemble
LOS DESPERADOS
The rhythm section of Los Desperados is made up by James van Minnen on the drums and the ferocious Roger “Bad Shoes” Bashew on the bass guitar. These two groove merchants can be seen in various other bands and studios around the country. They have both performed quite extensively abroad as well.
Tigger Reunert and Jonny Blundell have been playing the blues in a number of different line-ups in Cape Town since their move down from Johannesburg in the late nineties.
After studying in Los Angeles and Boston respectively, they have performed with many singers and bands over the past few decades. This might give you an idea of what old codgers they are!
In this band the audience is presented with a style of foot-stomping blues performances of original arrangements of the some of the classic tunes written by men like Muddy Waters, Gatemouth Brown, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
Would any repertoire be complete without Robert Johnson’s contribution?
The more contemporary writers they cover are people like Keb Mo’ and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Los Desperados is a no-nonsense, two guitars, bass and drums, what-you-see-is-what- you-get kind of band and is a great addition to this fine line-up of bands on what promises to be a fantastic festival.
THE DALE COLLINS BAND
Better known for his work during a more than 6-year stint with the Boulevard Blues, Dale Collins has at last been persuaded to put his catalogue of songs on show.
Dale started off playing the drums at school and this continued during his tenure in the SADF. However, on his return to Cape Town he found it impossible to get a gig as a drummer.
As a result, he exchanged his drums for guitar and started a new career as a guitarist and singer, alternating his one-man-band exploits with work in cover bands and duos.
Bored with the limitations that Rock covers imposed, his move to join the Boulevard Blues Band in late 1999 seemed appropriate and offered Dale the opportunity to pursue his love of improvisational music.
During this period, he continued to pen original material and songs such as Something in my eye, Just can’t take it no more and Forget about you, became Boulevard Blues standards.
However, many other originals did not quite fit a pure blues format and as a result have gone unnoticed.
Now, together with the colossal talents of Richard Pryor (lead guitar), Rob Stemmet (bass) and Tim Rainkin (drums), an outlet for these songs has been created.
The songs cover a range of styles and topics. From “my-woman-done-do-me-wrong” flat tyre shuffles to down home commentary on the unraveling South African social landscape, the band covers Blues, Folk, Swing and Afro-jazz, Ghoema and hardcore Rock in a unique and simmering potjiekos that is guaranteed to engage all your musical senses and keep them engaged.