Bman's Blues Report

Nacho Castanon Born:  Madrid, Spain Genre Style:  Chirigota Punk One Hand Man's Band is basically the sonic mad-science project of Nacho , an underground musician from Madrid, Spain, who decided he didn't need a full lineup to make a ton of noise. Playing everything at once as a true one-man garage band, he smashes together raw, dirty guitar riffs, driving percussion, and blown-out vocals into a fast, frantic sound. He's also spent time fronting the garage duo The Awesome J'Haybers and sharing stages with heavy hitters like Guadalupe Plata, but this solo gig is where he lets loose. It all peaked in May 2011 when he dropped a self-titled, 9-track album on Bandcamp for free, blending classic garage rock with a hilariously chaotic, bilingual style he calls "Chirigota Punk." It's pure, unpolished DIY energy made for anyone who loves their rock and roll fast, loud, and a little bit unhinged. 👈 Check the sidebar 💿 One Hand...

Ingrid Jensen Born: North Vancouver, B.C. January 12, 1966 Genre Style: Jazz Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. As a sought-out teacher, collaborator, and soloist, it is easy to see why the New York Times calls her “as versatile as she is vigorous.” After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1989, Jensen was offered a position at the prestigious Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria. In the 1990s, she recorded three highly acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label, becoming one of the most in demand trumpet players on the global jazz scene. Settling in New York City, she joined the innovative jazz orchestras of Maria Schneider (1994- 2012) and Darcy James Argue (2002-present). She has performed with a multigenerational cast of jazz legends ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding. Jensen has also performed alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live and recorded with C...

Henrik Freischlader Born: Wuppertal, West Germany November 3, 1982 Genre Style: Blues, blues rock, jazz, funk, soul Henrik Freischlader is a standout German blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has spent two decades building a massive reputation in the European blues-rock scene. Born on November 3, 1982, in Cologne, he is a completely self-taught musician who picked up the guitar at age 14 after falling in love with Gary Moore's music. He didn't stop at just the guitar, though; he also taught himself to play the bass, drums, and keys. By 2004, he formed the Henrik Freischlader Band , officially launching his career as a professional live performer. His sound is a cool, groove-heavy mix of old-school blues blended with rock, soul, funk, and jazz. Fans love him for his incredibly expressive guitar playing and his raw, gravelly voice, which often reminds people of legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Henrik is also famously a one-man s...

Soul singer Sherri Harding released her newest album, Storyland , on June 5, 2026, through Instant Replay Music . Following up on her previous record, A Million Pieces , this release marks a continuation of her career, offering a collection of blues-rooted and soul-influenced songs. The album is built around a distinct cross-border collaboration orchestrated by songwriter and producer Dick Cooper. While the foundational tracks were recorded in Ottawa, the project intentionally loops in veteran Southern musicians. Legendary guitarist Kelvin Holly traveled north for the sessions, the Muscle Shoals Horns tracked their parts in Alabama, and engineer Jimmy Nutt handled the final mixing in Muscle Shoals . Harding's performance on the record relies heavily on her decades of experience singing in small clubs, Northern Canadian juke joints, and military entertainment tours, resulting in a mature project that focuses on adult themes, love, and resilience without chasing modern radio tren...

 I've been watching Olli Soikkeli's work for a couple of years and his hot jazz style is mesmerizing. Born in Nurmes, Finland and based in NYC, Soikkeli was introduced to the music of great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz, which has been his primary focus since. Olli played in jazz clubs and festivals across Finland, and toured Europe with Sinti Guitarist Paulus Schäfer . While still young, he’s already played with notable artists such as Bucky Pizzarelli , Stochelo Rosenberg , Tommy Emmanuel , Andreas Öberg , Cyrille Aimee , Antti Sarpila and Marian Petrescu . After move to New York City in 2014. Olli has played legendary venues such as Town Hall , Herbst Theatre ,   Birdland Jazz Club , Blue Note , Iridium and the Lincoln Center . Olli recorded his first album “Trois Générations” (2011) with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli and recorded his second album “Kouvola Junction” (2012) with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud van den Berg . Rhythm Future Quartet –  co-led ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Wasting Time , from Nicky T And The Snake Charmers and it's dripping blues, soul and R&B music. Opening with Magic Sam 's, That's All I Need , Nicky T with soulful vocals and groomed guitar riffs gets into that Impressions groove. With Todd Glass on drums, Alex Lyon on bass, Chris Codish on keys, and Greg Nagy on backing vocals, this is a solid opener. Rock n Roller, Feel Like A Hundred , features a driving guitar lead with vocals by Nicky and super piano work by Andy Szymanski on piano. Pete Berg on drums and Frank Greenhalgh round out the band and this track is really moving. Gritty blues, The Glass really gets down featuring guitarist extraordinaire, Ronnie Earl on lead guitar and excellent vocals by Greg Nagy. This tracks really sails with the addition of Jon Johnson on drums, Mike Marshall on bass, Jason Bone on rhythm guitar, John Gavin on piano and warm organ work by Szymanski. Excell...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Covered In Blues , by James Buddy Rogers and it's straight forward solid blues. Opening with Bad Boy , James Buddy Rogers lays down a solid 8 bar track with confident vocals and and full strat tone through his own BTone hand crafted pickups . His style has cool swagger and occasional delayed attack adding texture, joined by Kevin Belzner on drums and Bill Price on bass. Solid opener. On I Lied, a potent lope, reinforced by Belzner on drums on the upbeat and stinging guitar riffs by Rogers make this one of my favorites on the release. A cover of Nix's Goin' Down , is a cool change up with it's bluesy edge but a solid rocker. Using a driving " Jeff Beck " approach Price anchors the bottom and Rogers' works between the SVR and the Beck attack with his own blues stew to kick out a real nice track. Another cover is Taj Mahal's She Caught The Katy with a nice laid back feel but featuring a ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Johnny Max and His So Called Friends and it's a great blend of NO blues , country, rock and a big pot of fun. Opening with You Can Do Better Than Him , Johnny Max on vocal leads the way with Jim Casson laying down a great NO style drum rhythm and Bill Evans on piano. Mitch Lewis and Dylan Wickens , and Wayne DeAdder add real nice guitar riffs and with Steve Goldberger on bass this is a fun opener. Another track with a bit of attitude and with an easy country beat, I've Said All The Sorrys I'm Gonna Say , should get some good airplay with super lyrics and vocals. Max on vocal is joined by DeAdder who also does some cool guitar work and Casson on drums keeps a steady keel. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I've Never Met A Bridge , with it's country blues feel. N. Jay Burr on tuba adds great bass lines and Max's vocal delivery is perfect over a basic guitar rhythm by Lewis. Another favo...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Memphis Sun , from Jon Hines and I really like it. Opening with title track, Memphis Sun , Jon Hines lays down a solid boogie featuring Cameron Palmer on drums, George Wolf on bass and Hines himself singing lead, playing harmonica and some knockdown electric slide with overdriven fat tone. Excellent opener. Slow easy blues, Until The Wheels , has a cool, easy feel with Jon singing lead and playing rhythm guitar. Taking a melodic solo on guitar and with with just the right texture added by Wolf on bass, this a a real nice track. Shuffle, Pitter Patter , is anchored by Wolf on bass and Palmer on drums as Hines plays a loose rhythm on guitar and takes lead on vocal. The track has a springy feel and Hines finger work ties it all together nicely. Wrapping the release is Working Man with a lumbering, rhythmic, almost Hill Country swagger courtesy Wolf and Palmer. Kevin Fletcher really gets the harmonica howling giving Hines ...