Dancing Rooster Records artist: Bruce Katz Band - Connections - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Connections, from Bruce Katz Band and it's a cool rock blues release. The title hints at the connection that Katz has with the Allman Brothers Band through his long term membership of Gregg Allman's Band, and bass player Shaun Oakley who is grandson of Berry Oakley, founding ABB member Berry Oakley. Opening with Right Here Right Now, a bluesy rocker, Bruce Katz on electric piano lays down a strong groove, backed by Aaron Lieberman on guitar, Liviu Pop on drums and Shaun Oakley on bass. Where's My Wallet? is a cool, funky rocker featuring Katz on B3 with a strong drum rhythm by Pop and fluid guitar soloing by Lieberman. Heavy footed, Down Below, features Lieberman on vocal and guitar with Katz holding down organ bass and Hammond and a funky drums line by Pop. Lieberman gets real tight on guitar with some stinging riffs, making this one of my favorite tracks on the release.  With a jazzy approach, All About That is a cool track with Lieberman leading the way on guitar working nicely with Katz on Hammond making this another top track on the release. Wrapping the release is slow blues, What I Feel, with warm Hammond  by Katz. You can definitely feel the influence of GA on Katz and joined by Lieberman on guitar playing Allman influenced riffs, this is an excellent closer. 

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American Showplace Music artist: Bruce Katz Band - Get Your Groove! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Your Groove!, from Bruce Katz Band and it's strong. Opening with the traditional Hesitation Blues, Katz attacks it in anything but a traditional way. With a heavy swing, Chris Vitarello leads the way on lead vocal and guitar, with the powerful strokes of Bruce Katz on B3 and bass and the tight rhythm of Ray Hangen on drums. Vitarello lays out some real clean blues fused guitar lines that really give this track some spank and Katz's own B3 soloing is impeccable. Freight Train is a cool Allman influenced, nearly 10 minute jam track with plenty of stretch time for Vitarello and Katz with an interlude from Elizabeth Reed and the power drumming of Jaimoe.  Funky, Shine Together (Tribe of Lights), has great feel and features really nice drum soloing by Jaimoe and a cohesive, combined solo effort by Katz and Vitarello. Very nice. Somber blues ballad, River Blues is one of my personal favorites on the release with a strong melody, sweet soloing by Vitarello, beautiful piano lines by Katz and featuring Matt Raymond on bass. With nicely styled piano lead from Katz, title track, Get Your Groove has a cool 60's R&B sound with just a touch of Dixie. Very cool. With an easy "Steely Dan" slung groove, Zone 3 is my choice for the top radio track with a strong melody, nicely articulated guitar lead and rich lower octave lead by Katz. Very cool.  A funky Meter's based Rush Hour sets a firm groove giving Katz and Vitarello rich soil to mine extended improvisational solos. Nice and easy, Wasn't My Time, showcases Vitarello back up front on lead vocal and showcasing his inventive blues riffs. This track is nicely paced and is definitely one of the highlights of the release with soulful lead by Katz emotional lead by Vitarello. Very cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, The Bun with excellent runs by Vitarello and strong footing by Katz making this a super closer for another strong release from BKB.

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Bruce Katz Band on Tour, Kicks off Headlining Big Buggs Island Blues Bash

BRUCE KATZ BAND HIT THE ROAD FOR FALL EAST COAST TOUR; HAMMOND B-3 KEYBOARDIST/IN-DEMAND SESSION PLAYER IS 4-TIME BMA NOMINEE LATE OF BUTCH TRUCKS & THE FREIGHT TRAIN, ALLMAN BROS SPIN-OFF BAND LES BRERS Performs Locally: BIG BUGGS ISLAND BLUES BASH - Sat., Sept. 30

(Clarksville, VA) -Bruce Katz, legendary Hammond B-3 organist/keyboardist and four-time Blues Music Award nominee, and his Bruce Katz Band, hit the road for a Fall East Coast Tour, with their first date headlining the 3rd Annual Big Buggs Island Blues Bash, the Lake at Robbins Ballpark, 104 Woodland Dr., Saturday, September 30. 2pm-10pm. Tickets $30. in advance, $35. at the door. Info: (919) 451-4356 or visit www.bbibb.org.      In addition to leading the Bruce Katz Band, Katz has performed with the Delbert McClinton Band, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, and John Hammond, the latter whom he still plays with on occasion. This past Summer found Katz bringing his cool 'jam-band' sounds to Riverfront Fest, Roots Rhythm & Blues Fest, and famed BB King's Blues Club in New York City. Katz - who was a member of the Gregg Allman Band from 2007-2013 - continues to tour as a member of Les Brers, featuring former members of the famed Allman Bros. band, and was a full-time member of Butch Trucks and the Freight Train, fronted by the legendary ex-Allman Bros. drummer who passed away last January.

3rd Annual Big Buggs Island Blues Bash Features Best Lineup Yet!

             

THE 3RD ANNUAL BIG BUGGS ISLAND BLUES BASH: LIVE BLUES, GREAT FOOD, SWING DANCE COMPETITION, BEST LINEUP YET

Saturday, September 3, 2pm-10pm Robbins Ballpark, Clarksville, VA  

                                                

                                                   (Rain or Shine)

    

    (Clarksville, VA) - Announcing the 3rd Annual Big Buggs Island Blues Bash, Saturday, September 30, from 2pm-10pm (rain or shine), on the Lake at Robbins Ballpark, 104 Woodland Drive in Clarksville, VA. Tickets $25.00 (Early-Bird Special till August 31 - purchase here), $30.00 General Admission (September 1-September 29), $35.00 at the gate/day of the Festival. Limited number of $75.00 VIP Tickets available (includes admission plus two complimentary drinks, premiere seating under Stage Side Tent, and access to the catered Hospitality Tent for a 'Meet-And-Greet' with the performers. Also a Swing Dance Competition on the Lake, food for sale by top area restaurants and food trucks, plus an Arts and Crafts Vendors Village.

   "We've arranged for some of the finest performers in the Blues to entertain and amaze." says Woolly, Founder/Promoter of the Big Buggs Island Blues Bash and creator of the famed Woolly's Big Blues jam. Emcee is Confessing The Blues radio show Host, Cleve Baker.  Rain or shine - in the event of bad weather, the Festival will be moved to an indoor location. Info: (919) 451-4356 or visit us on-line at http://www.bbibb.org/.

   "This Year's Entertainment Lineup Is Our Best Yet!" - Woolly

Four-time Blues Music Awards nominee, Hammond B-3 organist extraordinaire, Bruce Katz, headlines the Big Buggs Island Blues Bash Saturday, September 30.

Jon Spear Band, nominated for "Best Live Blues Recording" in 2016 by Blues Blast Magazine,  are a popular national touring act fronted by talented guitarist, Jon Spear (second from right).

The pride of Plano, Texas, guitarist extraordinaire Anson Funderburgh has also been called "the nicest man in the Blues" by Blues Festival Guide. Funderburgh is joined onstage by Stern and Cotton at the 3rd Annual Big Buggs Blues Bash.

North Carolina-based trio James-Pace and Preslar, fronted by guitarist-vocalist T.A. James (pictured), are a popular band on the Blues Festival circuit.

Parker & Gray bring their soulful blues to Big Buggs Island Blues Bash.

They're joined onstage by Ken Farmer from the PBS television series

Antiques Roadshow, himself a American-Roots vocalist-guitarist.

3RD ANNUAL BIG BUGGS ISLAND BLUES BASH ON YOU TUBE:

American Showplace Music artist: Bruce Katz Band - Out From The Center - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Out From The Center, from Bruce Katz Band and it's smokin'! Opening with hot piano boogie, Don't Feel So Good Today, Katz leads the way on piano and Chris Vitarello has the lead on vocal and guitar. Peter Bennett plays a driving bass line and Ralph Rosen has drums. Excellent! Schnapps Man is a really cool jazz influenced instrumental with a killer beat. Katz has great chops surrounded by a super weave of guitar, drums and bass. WOW! Slow blues, The Struggle Inside is a really nice showcase for Vitarello on guitar and vocal. This is a beautiful 7 plus minute composition with plenty of room for Katz to solo and Rosen''s work on drums is nothing short of crisp. Very nice! Blues From High Point Mountain is a jazz /blues blend with powerful bones. Katz shows not only his skillful manner on the keys but also his soulful riffs. Vitarello lays the track open with some excellent riffs of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Classic! Instrumental title track, Out From The Center, is a bit more exploratory in nature with a mellow central theme and adventurous improvisation by the band including Jimmy Bennett on lap steel. Very nice! With a super bottom, All Tore Up returns to mainstream with a real nice melody and Vitarello. With a nice lope and odd time change, this track has a great swing. Katz and Vitarello each take extended turns up fron on keys and guitar (respectively) giving this track real traction. (Excellent drum work by the way). Bessie's Bounce has a rag time feel compliments Katz on piano and light brush work by Rosen. Vitarello blends in nicely with his own guitar soloing but it's the piano on this tract. Tasty! Funky track, Dis-Funkshunal has a great groove set by Rosen and Bennett and riden high by Katz and Vitarello. Another excellent instrumental on a release filled with excellent tracks. Following a traditional blues bar, Another Show has a real solid bass line and vocal harmonies by Vitarello and Rosen. Katz shows another hand of hot piano riffs and Vitarello is right behind his own fill. Super. Think Fast hits into Clarence Gatemouth territory with a real hot potato. Vitarello really has it sailing on guitar and with a fst walking bass line, Katz lays into it adding depth. This is a smoking track and I can see my old pal Stilladog romping away on it. Excellent! Wrapping the release is You Got It, a real nice blues swinger with a real deep groove. With Vitarello and Katz playing in tandem this track has it all. Vitarello stretches on guitar showing his pure jazz influence and Katz rides low. Then it's Katz's turn and he's not shy with a solid groove all his own. This is an excellent closer to what may be one of the bst releases I've heard this year!



  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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