VALERIE JUNE

APRIL 16 2010 - 7 PM

A musical ambassador from Tennessee, Valerie June "blends folk, soul, and even ancient country elements" in her enchanting acoustic performances. A regular at the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival and the International Folk Alliance Conference, June has been internationally broadcasting her unique style to great success.  Valerie has come a long way from Humboldt Tennessee and New York City welcomes her distinguishable talent with open arms.

 JR MACK

A New Jersey native and self-taught guitarist since the age of nine, Jr Mack forged his own path into the heart of the blues. With the collected stage presence of a seasoned performer, Jr Mack lulls, mesmerizes, and reels the audience into a groove all his own. Having sat in or worked with The Allman Brothers Band, Robert Randolph, & many others, Junior Mack's soulful interpretation of the blues never fails to captivate.

FRANK MORREY

APRIL 17 2010 

Frank Morey has been enticing international audiences with his "witty, gritty blues" since the 1990's. (Boston Globe) This New England native serves up performances of both covers and originals on his acoustic guitar and harmonica "with true skill at storytelling and singing". (Well Rounded Radio) While Tom Waits seems to be his most common comparison, Morey draws from a wealth of influences ranging from Louis Armstrong, Howlin' Wolf & Ray Charles to folk greats Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. If you thought you knew folk rock --- think again with Frank Morey's unconventional & "eminently hummable" performances! (Minor 7th)

MICHAEL POWERS FREQUENCY

Heralding from Bayonne New Jersey, Michael Powers now defines the New York City blues scene. Since settling in NYC in the 1970's, Power's originals and "re-shaped classics" have been dictating the raw essence of real blues in the city for years. This 5 time Blues Music award nominee "is no "rocker" masquerading as a "bluesman", no "Hendrix wanna be" - he is simply true to his ... heart and the rockin' soul in his music." Michael Powers is a rare find in the music world; "an impressive musical range and versatility - a musician for all seasons." (Blues Matters)

BILL & CHANEY SIMS

Bill Sims Jr. doesn’t allow any one blues genre define his personal playing style. Raised in Ohio, Bill Sims turned professional at the age of 14 and went on to learn piano and major in music at Ohio State University. After touring with doo-wop rhythm & blues groups and experimenting in avant-garde jazz, Sims returned to the blues. Bill Sims Jr is considered one of the best NYC guitar/singer front men and comes complete with a 10-hour PBS special on his life’s works. Performing regularly at Terra Blues, audiences have the pleasure of hearing him perform with his talented daughter Chaney Sims. Chaney’s similarly “earthy and relaxed” voice makes her the perfect duet partner. (Time Out NY)

STEVE GUYGER AND BOBBY RADCLIFF

HAZMAT MODINE

APRIL 10 -& APRIL 24  2010 - 7 PM

With dueling harmonicas, a scintillating sousaphone, and the mysterious sheng (the ancient Chinese mouth organ), the band runs the gamut of genres and instrumentation. Most of what they play are originals, but keep an ear out for cover versions of "Slim Gaillard, Jimmy Rogers, Jaybird Coleman, and Irving Berlin." Lead Wade Schuman will send the audience home humming & stomping after the romping, dynamic and passionately unique experience that is Hazmat Modine.

THE T BLUES BAND

Comprised of rotating band leaders, the T Blues band is a  nightly, sounded-shifting, blues machine. Tight knit groups of 4 musicians combine forces to generate the most powerful and authentic blues incarnations available. Sit back, and enjoy! It's an experience you can't find anywhere else but Terra Blues.

Rotating Guests include - Barry Harrison, Bill Sims, Bobby Radcliff, Clarence Spady, Jeff Anderson, Jerry Dugger, JR Mack, Michael Hill, Michael Powers, Ray Schinnery, SarRon Crenshaw, Slam Allen, Steve Guyger, & Many More ...

MONDAY NIGHTS 

JR MACK - SARON CRENSHAW - BARRY HARRISON & JERRY DUGGER

WEDNESDAY APRIL 7 

 SARON CRENSHAW - MICHAEL HILL - BARRY HARRISON

WEDNESDAY APRIL 14

 MICHAEL HILL - BARRY HARRISON - CLIFF SCHMITT

TUESDAY APRIL 20

 SLAM ALLEN - BOBBY BRYAN - CLIFF SCHMITT & BARRY HARRISON

THURSDAY APRIL 29

 SARON CRENSHAW - CLIFF SCHMITT - BARRY HARRISON

RICK ESTRIN

APRIL 1 2010 - 10 PM

San Fransisco native, Rick Estrin's harmonica playing was shaped by the eclectic and tough neighborhoods of the Bay area. As soon as the local clubs got wind of Estrin's musical talent, he was picked up for a full playing schedule ... and the rest is history.  Currently fronting The Nightcats, Rick Estrin not only gets the chance to display his vocal and harp prowess, but showcase his "satirical, sharp lyrics and killer solos". Rick keeps on "creating and playing the smartest, hippest blues and roots music around" and it's the audiences who are reaping the benefits. (Blues Review) (Blues Webzine)

 GUITAR SHORTY

APRIL 8th 2010 - 10 PM

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a "defiant, electric blues[man] with piercing intensity and raw venom that'll leave your ears singed", Guitar Shorty is in no lack of professional accolades. Hand picked from a Florida performance by the great Willie Dixon, Shorty's fate was sealed as a requested performer. Playing throughout the 50's and 60's with the likes of Ray Charles & Sam Cooke, Shorty finally settled down in Seattle where he wed Marsha Hendrix (Jimi's sister). Recording several records over the years, Shorty's 2004 Watch Your Back thrust him back into the limelight with Living Blues claiming he is "a blues rock original [who plays] screaming, empowered guitar and sings with streetwise defiance."

SUGAR BLUE

APRIL 22 2010

Known as the Charlie Parker of the harmonica, Sugar Blue has toured and recorded with the Rolling Stones, Willie Dixon, Bob Dylan, Stan Getz, Ray Charles, Frank Zappa, & many other music greats throughout his long career.  A native of Harlem New York, Sugar Blue grew up in  the bustling performance world and committed his energy to being a part of it. His early jazz influences helped shape his instantly recognizable ultra-modern blues style. His sound has been described as "two harps ... working at once... intense, melodically ornate, punctuated by growls and swooping pitches ...  the sound of a musician who transcends the limitations of his instrument." (Chicago Tribune) It's with open arms that Terra Blues welcomes Sugar Blue back to his home town for a unique and intimate  performance.

 SARON CRENSHAW

 Whether he is traveling the country disseminating his control of jazz and blues or strolling through the audience playing guitar with his tongue (which happens to be a Gibson "Lucille" model guitar signed by B.B.King), SaRon Crenshaw is a powerhouse performer that leaves an unforgettable impression. This New Yorker's deeply engrained love for all things blues leaves no room for obstacles in life or performance.

 CLARENCE SPADY

Raised in Scranton Pennsylvania, where he still lives, Clarence Spady is accredited with defining the 1990's blues scene. Raised by a musical family and encouraged to pursue blues, Spady started touring right out of high school. By the '90's, this singer/guitarist decided to head out and tour with a band of his own. Clarence Spady's skills as a songwriter paired with his solid mastery of guitar transcends typical blues performances, leaving audiences clamoring for more of his unique & intelligent sound.

CHRIS MCDERMOTT

APRIL 2 2010 - 7 PM

Growing up outside Philadelphia Chris Mcdermott has been touring and playing the United States and Europe for over 16 years. "With an incredible range of talent backing him up, you get the craziest salmagundi of sounds that you've heard in quite a while, but it manages to work throughout." Blending new and old, "Chris' live performances are what it is all about showcasing masterful musicianship, fire, funk, and fun." (midwestrecords.com)

STEVE GUYGER

Claiming the harmonica as his instrument of choice, Steve Guyger has been studying the blues since his teens. Mastering the intense grittiness of Chicago-style harp playing landed Guyger one of his best gigs in 1980; a call from Jimmy Rogers. Blues Access magazine claims, "All the years ... of touring with the legendary Jimmy Rogers has made Steve Guyger one of the greatest blues harp men in the world." Guyger's performances are enhanced by his fine clear voice and his preservation of harp tradition with a unique and refreshing twist!

SLAM ALLEN

With Slam Allen, it's "rhythm and blues, plain and simple". (Blues Review) A relief from drawn out guitar solos and cluttered arrangements, this upstate New Yorker has been able to highlight simple funk and soul music using his legendary showmanship, unique style, and no-frills approach to the blues. Honing his skills as a musician by playing with his father's R&B band while growing up, Slam Allen's musical influences came from life experience.
"Slam Allen has a gift for picking a rainbow of notes around a line, and popping them off his own groove like drops of water on a red-hot griddle - his success is inevitable." (Woodstock Times)

RAY SCHINNERY

 Raised in New York City, Ray Schinnery was influenced by jazz guitarists as well as classic rhythm and blues players. Albeit having committed to the guitar as a youth, Schinnery has made his unique voice just as important an instrument in his performances. Always supporting and encouraging the cause of keeping blues alive, Schinnery has become a regular on the international as well as local blues scene. "With his band, a solo performer, or with his guitar Ray is a master showman..."