The Blues Project
11-14-2021
IMPORTANT: ALL TICKETED SHOWS AT BULL RUN REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION or PROOF OF NEGATIVE PCR COVID 19 TEST WITHIN 72 HOURS OF PERFORMANCE.
The Blues Project were arguably the greatest relatively unsung American rock band of the 1960s. In those days adjectives like "unique,” "genuine.” "influential,” "innovative,” "exciting,” "dynamic,” "incandescent,” and "trail-blazing” were often used by peers and music critics to describe their sound.
In the fall of 1965 they played alongside Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann and many others, which led to the release of their phenomenal debut album, “Live at the Cafe Au Go Go.” The Blues Project made were musical revolution, turning many people on to the American blues heritage.
In 1966, after Danny Kalb declared that "we're not reviving the blues, we're looking to interpret what's happening today," the Blues Project recorded their studio masterpiece, “Projections,” an album that defies description, ranging from folk-rock to soul, from rock 'n' roll and blues to jazz, all blended together to produce a tremendously wide spectrum of music.
Straight out of New York, the BP toured all over North America. In San Francisco, ground zero of the counterculture movement and psychedelic rock, they achieved the admiration of their local peers. The not-yet famous Grace Slick dreamed to be their new female singer after sharing the bill with them at the Avalon Ballroom when she was still a member of the Great Society. Ed Denson, manager of Country Joe and the Fish, was another who became an instant fan after seeing them at the Matrix. "Their stage presence and their performance have an authority which comes from the secure knowledge that they are one of the best groups going," he recalls. "For the three weeks that they were here they were indisputably the best band in the city."
The original lineup of Danny Kalb on lead guitar, Steve Katz on rhythm guitar and harmonica, Roy Blumenfeld on drums, Andy Kulberg on bass and flute and Al Kooper on organ set a high standard for other performers of their generation.
In 1967, at the peak of their success, the release of their third album, “Live at Town Hall,” and appearing at the legendary Monterey International Pop Festival with Otis Redding, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix etc., The Blues Project split up. Kooper and Katz formied Blood, Sweat & Tears and Kulberg and Blumenfeld formed Seatrain.
The Blues Project today is alive and well, with Katz and Blumenfeld leading a new powerful lineup that also includes three young and talented "pupils": Mick Connolly on lead guitar, Scott Petito on bass, and Ken Clark on keyboards and vocals. They are like a fine wine, getting better with age - and the best is yet to come!
VIDEO
IMPORTANT: ALL TICKETED SHOWS AT BULL RUN REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION or PROOF OF NEGATIVE PCR COVID 19 TEST WITHIN 72 HOURS OF PERFORMANCE.
The Blues Project were arguably the greatest relatively unsung American rock band of the 1960s. In those days adjectives like "unique,” "genuine.” "influential,” "innovative,” "exciting,” "dynamic,” "incandescent,” and "trail-blazing” were often used by peers and music critics to describe their sound.
In the fall of 1965 they played alongside Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann and many others, which led to the release of their phenomenal debut album, “Live at the Cafe Au Go Go.” The Blues Project made were musical revolution, turning many people on to the American blues heritage.
In 1966, after Danny Kalb declared that "we're not reviving the blues, we're looking to interpret what's happening today," the Blues Project recorded their studio masterpiece, “Projections,” an album that defies description, ranging from folk-rock to soul, from rock 'n' roll and blues to jazz, all blended together to produce a tremendously wide spectrum of music.
Straight out of New York, the BP toured all over North America. In San Francisco, ground zero of the counterculture movement and psychedelic rock, they achieved the admiration of their local peers. The not-yet famous Grace Slick dreamed to be their new female singer after sharing the bill with them at the Avalon Ballroom when she was still a member of the Great Society. Ed Denson, manager of Country Joe and the Fish, was another who became an instant fan after seeing them at the Matrix. "Their stage presence and their performance have an authority which comes from the secure knowledge that they are one of the best groups going," he recalls. "For the three weeks that they were here they were indisputably the best band in the city."
The original lineup of Danny Kalb on lead guitar, Steve Katz on rhythm guitar and harmonica, Roy Blumenfeld on drums, Andy Kulberg on bass and flute and Al Kooper on organ set a high standard for other performers of their generation.
In 1967, at the peak of their success, the release of their third album, “Live at Town Hall,” and appearing at the legendary Monterey International Pop Festival with Otis Redding, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix etc., The Blues Project split up. Kooper and Katz formied Blood, Sweat & Tears and Kulberg and Blumenfeld formed Seatrain.
The Blues Project today is alive and well, with Katz and Blumenfeld leading a new powerful lineup that also includes three young and talented "pupils": Mick Connolly on lead guitar, Scott Petito on bass, and Ken Clark on keyboards and vocals. They are like a fine wine, getting better with age - and the best is yet to come!
VIDEO