The Reel Blues Fest

THE MUSICIANS
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Johnny Winter
He is an American music legend. There is no question that for pure blues guitar talent, Johnny Winter needs to be mentioned when looking at blues musicians. Johnny has spent his life mastering a number of varied blues styles and that what makes him such a treat to listen to. In general, though, when you think of Johnny's style you think of undiminished scorchin' fury and passion. Using an unwound G string and lighter gauge strings helps Johnny do the bending that is his trademark. You hear the influence of T-Bone Walker in his songs by the way the feel of his songs change by starting in one meter and changing to another. With Johnny it is hard to say where the blues stops and rock 'n' roll begins. He always has played both of them. While this seems to bother some blues purists, as Muddy said "The Blues had a baby and they named it Rock 'N' Roll".

K.D. Bell
Mr. Alabama Blues himself, K.D. Bell, thrills audiences with his soulful vocals and fun loving
brand of rhythm & blues. This veteran performer and crowd pleaser will have you on your feet whether it's his his soulful rendition of Wilson Pickett's "I Found A Love" or his rollicking "Hi-Heel Sneakers," rockabilly blues at its roadhouse best.

Photo credit: Cynthia (Cyd) Abatt Shirley Lewis
Recipient of the 2001 Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, Shirley Lewis has performed professionally since early childhood with her father and brothers as the Lewis Gospel Singers. Though she became an accountant, the music eventually won out. She traveled to Las Vegas, San Francisco, ending up in Vancouver. B.C. in 1972. She toured throughout Canada until 1985.
In the mid-1980's, Lewis moved to Boston to be closer to her family. Shirley Lewis is a gifted vocalist who sings from the heart, like many of her fellow Jersey and Philadelphia R&B singers.

James Montgomery
James Montgomery ranks among the unsung bandleaders who keep New England's blues scene alive and well. The harp player's resume includes John Lee Hooker and Mick Jagger, and the muscular blues/rock of his new release "Bring It On Home" bridges the gap between these icons.

The James Montgomery Band:
James Montgomery, harmonica & vocals
Matt Woodburn, guitars
David Hull, bass
Marty Richards, drums

Photo credit: Barry M. Miller

Lenny Clarke
Lenny Clarke is the consummate Boston comedian. Mr. Clarke has appeared in comedy specials on HBO, SHOWTIME and COMEDY CENTRAL. Mr. Clarke hosted "SUNDAY NIGHT WITH THE COMICS" on the FOX Network. As an actor, Mr. Clarke has most recently been see in the critically acclaimed ABC series "THE JOB." He was a regular performer on "THE JOHN LAROQUETTE SHOW," and has appeared in other television shows, such as "TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL," and such films as "SOMETHING ABOUT MARY", "ROUNDERS", "MONUMENT AVENUE," "TWO IF BY SEA," "SOUTHIE," and "WAITING FOR WALLY SPARKS."

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