The Baddest Blues Band (Ever!)
Featuring some of the funkiest musicians from the parallel worlds of blues, jazz and rock. Expect a sprinkling of classic songs by the likes of Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Willie Dixon, plus some great originals by the band's guitarist Rob Koral and vocalist Zoë Schwarz.
The six-piece line-up creates a distinct and individual sound featuring expressive, sassy vocals, virtuoso guitar, animated and charismatic harmonica (Si Genaro), wailing Hammond-organ (Pete Whittaker); supported by the legendry bassist Malcolm Creese and drummer Paul Robinson.
The individual musicians pedigree is second to none, whose CVs include Nina Simone, George Shearing, George Benson, Diana Ross, Sting, Rod Stewart, Bill Bruford, Lulu, Judie Tzuke, Mose Allison, Toyah, Lisa Stansfield and Cleo Laine.
"The blues vocals of Zoe Schwarz are seriously special" - Jeremy Miles Bournemouth Echo Sept 2010
"A world class band" - Properganda Magazine Sept 2010
"The Baddest Blues Band features a thoroughbred line-up performing across the UK to immense critical and popular acclaim. Their second CD, 'Heartbreak Tears' (Audio-B), is a thoroughly modern amalgamation of hardcore blues originals ignited by jazz and contemporary influences. A dynamite show." - Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho
"They are superb..." Blues Matters
Recordings
BREAKOUT (ABCD5022)
DRIVING IN THE RAIN (ABCD 5026)
Links and Reviews
My Space
www.myspace.com/thebaddestbluesbandever
You Tube
Reconsider baby, Live at Dorchester
Too Darn Rich To Be Happy, Live at Dorchester
Blues Get Off My Shoulder - Live at Dorchester
Reviews
West Midlands evening newspaper & The Express & Star, by John Watson
Lichfield Guildhall - 8/11/09
Electric blues can be one of the most exciting styles of music, especially when served with a dash of jazz.
Singer-guitarist Alexis Korner was a pioneering figure in the style in this country, touring and recording with his star-studded band Blues Incorporated in the 1960s.
The Baddest Blues Band Ever, which appeared last night at Lichfield, is a worthy heir to the movement started by Korner.
Included in the line-up are the virtuoso bassist Malcolm Creese - who is also a member of leading jazz trio Acoustic Triangle - and the very fine organist Pete Whittaker.
The Baddest Blues Band Ever also features the raunchy vocals of Zoe Schwarz, the driving guitar of Rob Koral, the powerful blues harmonic player Si Genaro and rock-solid drummer Dave Wallace.
Last night they delighted the Guildhall crowd with 12-bar classics and pieces such as Mose Allison's Stop This World. Another highlight was an original by the band, Driving InThe Rain.
If you missed the gig, their excellent new CD - entitled Breakout - is released on the Audio-B label.
Blues in Britain, by Fran Leslie
Stormy Monday Blues at The Bull's Head London - 15/9/08
They started up with an instrumental called 'Pebble In My Pond', while I was still queuing for a drink but even from the bar you could hear they were good. Rob Koral, a southpaw, is a skilled guitarist and his elegant guitar line cut through the doors. Next up was a Mose Allison song, 'Stop This World' featuring singer Zoe Schwarz, guitar and keyboards and finishing on a harmonica blast from animated harp player Si Genaro, of the huge hoped earrings. During the third number 'Driving In The Rain' written by Rob and Zoe. I noticed that the bass player and the keyboard player were reading sheet music, the sign of a classy band.
Zoe is a classically trained singer who has sung jazz for a while and on this night was in blues shouter mode. Her powerful vocals were to the fore on 'I Cant Quit You Babe'. Owing a fair bit to Robert Plant's interpretation of Willie Dixon's song.
'Heart Break Tears'. Another Schwarz/Koral original brought out the electric upright bass of Malcolm Creese. Most of the band's material is original, although Rob points out that 'Too much of a Good Thing' is heavily influenced by John Lee Hooker. The encore, though, was a roaring rendition of 'Spoonful', deservedly well received.
Time Out Magazine
"One of the finest guitar based blues and roots acts in the world"
SoundStorm, Dan Somogyi - September 2007
"The finest new blues band on the British scene....? very possibly."
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