Bman's Blues Report

 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 Th...

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 w...

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 Sum...

               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...

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 trac...