What time is it? SHOWTIME!
These are the bands that will be hitting the stages at Express Track Blues on Friday and Saturday night!
Bobby Bryan Band
Friday Night
Bobby was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he developed a passion for jazz, funk, and gut bucket blues. He has been playing guitar for over 35 years. During his early years, he developed his musical talents in clubs in Southern California and touring with artists such as Arkansas Larry Davis and Smokey Wilson.
In the 90’s, Bobby worked at the world-renowned Babe's & Ricky's Inn, whose proprietor, "Mama" Laura Mae Gross was known for cultivating blues talent. Babe's& Ricky's offered Bobby the opportunity to play with various artists, including Keb Mo’, Lowell Fulsom, King Ernest, Louie Bluey, Mickey Champion, Barbara Morrison, Joe Houston, Zac Harmon, Deacon Jones, Finis Tasby, and Guitar Shorty.
Bobby moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1999. In addition to earning a master’s degree in social work, he and his band, Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players were the winners of the 2007 Madison Blues Challenge and proudly represented Wisconsin at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
Bobby now resides in New York. You can catch him as a regular at Terra Blues, in New York’s Village. He also performs and tours with other artists, including Henry Butler. Bobby is a true Blues man, who is not limited to the blues. Don't miss an opportunity to see Bobby with his band.
Big Frank & Mike Smith’s Juke Joint Duo
Friday Night - LATE NIGHT
Big Frank is a traditional electric and acoustic blues musician known for his powerful vocals and bottleneck slide style. He has been a fixture in the NYC Tri- State blues scene for decades. While listening to Rock and Roll as a teenager, Frank's ear was attracted to the blues elements evident in many of those tunes. His love of traditional blues and curiosity drove him to become a subject matter expert about its history. His playing style reflects his affinity for these traditional
roots.
Over the years, Big Frank has opened for such acts as Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Bo Diddley Jr. and Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, to name a few. His playing has been featured on KFFA's renowned 'King Biscuit Flour Hour' where legendary disc jockey Sonny Payne referred to Frank's style as 'The
closest thing I've heard to Hound Dog Taylor.' He has performed with blues legends Hubert Sumlin and Moose Walker and has been inducted into the New York and the New Jersey Blues Halls of Fame.
For the past decade, Mike Smith has joined Big Frank on amplified and acoustic harp. A fixture on the New York Metro area roots music scene for decades, Mike has shared the stage with James Cotton, The Subdues and others. The duo are well known for their live shows that feature some of the most authentic elements of the American Blues experience.
Big Frank/Mike Smith released the album “Outskirts of Town” in 2023 which showcases the deep connection the pair have with traditional American blues.
Big Frank & Mike Smith have been a part of our community for almost a decade. They are our house band for our yearly Community Jam - the dance event that showcases dancers that sing or play an instrument. Thanks for joining us for Express Track Blues.
Alias Smith & Jones
Saturday Night
Sal Carolei has played with the Eliza Neals band, The Travis Miller Band and Gabrielle Aparicio in New York and in Florida. He also performed with the late Floyd Lee, (aka Ted Williams), Sal can be heard on recordings for producer Cass Dillon. Sal has shared the stage with C.J. Chenier and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith as well as jamming with Eddie Cotton, Jr. at the 2018 Chicago Blues Festival. Sal also was a composer/musician with Reneé & The Derelicts, a grassroots, blues/rock band.
Reneé Flemings started out singing at open mics at the Village Gate, Cornelia Street Café and Rose’s Turn. Reneé also performed in cabaret clubs throughout NYC including The Duplex, 55 Grove St.
Sal and Reneé recorded three CDs comprised of original and cover songs as Reneé & The Derelicts, receiving airplay in Italy, France and across the United States. They have performed at Terra Blues, P&G Bar, 78 Below, Dinosaur Bar B- Que, Pianos, Silvana, Metropolitan Room and Kenny’s Castaways. They were featured on the Joey Reynolds show and as part of Battle of the Bands, NYC. As Alias Smith & Jones they have played at The Shrine and as guest artists at C-Boys Heart and Soul (Austin, TX w/Paul Ocher), B.B. Kings (New York and New Orleans), The Iridium, Winston’s (NJ), The Blue Note, City Winery (NYC) and The Red Lion.
The Button Men (a rotating group of AMAZING musicians) featuring: Jerry Dugger, Michael Hill, Paul Bauman, Barry Harrison, Shu Nakamura, Doc French, Michael Fox, Will Saint, Mike Berman, Chris Sutherland and John Whitehead.
Mikey Jr.
Saturday - Late Night
For a musical style that has historically placed so much weight on lineage, the passing of more and more of the old masters poses a dire question: What is the future of the blues and who will lead the charge? Well, for blues fans in the Northeast United States, that question is routinely answered every night Mikey Junior hits the stage.
His infectious personality and absolute command of his medium leave little doubt the blues is in good hands. Self-taught from his impressive collection of blues vinyl, Mikey was a full time musician before he even graduated high-school. By the time he was in his early twenties, seasoned players were taking notice and it wasn’t long before one blues society after another scrambled to get him to their stage. Before long, Mikey was a staple of the summer blues circuit on the East Coast.
https://www.facebook.com/MikeyJRBlues/
MIKEY JUNIOR YouTube Channel Link:
