Austria (AT): The Blues Infusion
Peter Peduzzi formed the band in 2009 by bringing together a set of musicians from the Viennese band scene. All of them were experienced and have played for many years in the local blues, rock and jazz bands. After two major restructurings, Peter Peduzzi (guitar) and Fritz Salek (bass) are still members forming the current line up together with Peter Dürr (vocals), Werner Müller (keys) and Mick Glantschnig (drums). The group’s successive evolution in style and performance has resulted in a fresh, wicked and very particular groove! The music might be called “contemporary blues” by perceiving this timeless music with the ears of both millennia. The band has played numerous venues in Vienna and elsewhere in Austria, since 2010 as a continuous burner at the longest blues festival in Europe, the “Vienna Blues Spring”. Beside crossing over the border from traditional blues, they have now set their sights beyond the borders of their home country. The band presented its first CD “Stepping Keys” in 2013. The second is planned for 2017.
Peter Dürr, vocals
Peter Peduzzi, guitar
Fritz Salek, bass
Werner Müller, keyboards
Mick Glantschnig, drums
Belgium (BE): The BluesBones
The BluesBones are a band of five passionate and experienced musicians playing Blues/Rock with undiminished feeling and skill. Their original songs vary from blues-rock over mellow and sensitive blues ballads, swampy slide to more heavy rock. This extended range of musical styles has gained the band a variegated fan base. The BluesBones had the pleasure to share stages, be support act or jam with bands like King King, Jimmy Vaughan, Seasick Steve, Tommy Castro, Guy Forsyth, Laurence Jones, Danny Bryant, The Nimmo Brothers, Jimmy Thackery… Their new album “Double Live” reached different Blues Charts Worldwide: 2nd in the IBBA Blues Album Charts Top 40 (UK), 5th in the Australian Blues Album Charts (AUS), 18th in Roots Music Report Blues Album Charts Top 50 (USA), 19th in The Blues Song Charts Find Me A Woman Reached on R.M.R. (USA).
De Cock Nico, vocals
Edwin Risbourg, hammond
Stef Paglia, guitar
Geert Boeckx, bass
Koen Mertens, drums
Croatia (CR): Rolin Humes
Rolin Humes is a young promising Croatian band with already internationally recognised musical identity and a very intriguing sound. This propulsive sound does not hide it’s strong roots in many blues-rock predecessors, but has brilliant reminiscent connections in the music of, for example, Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard, T. Rex, Led Zeppelin, Dr John, Pink Floyd, even Queen, also „early vinyl birds“ of David Bowie, Elton John, etc. It is a tricky polifony between the past and the fully conscious present musicians. It would nevertheless be quite unfair to just plainly confront Rolin Humes to anyone, because this reminiscent fusion in their case is the wide opened ground of the new sound in Croatian music sky, and more likely to be truly and adequately recognised on the global level. Even when their song titles might provoke funny ideas, the music itself in fact is challenging us to listen very carefully each of the compositions, because it is clear that one is to testify contemporary birth of possible new anthology in music. It is a magic of the music already turned on, so listen very carefully. (Melinda Kostelac).
The band was formed in 2011 during a blues session in a small jazz club. Shortly after, Rolin Humes had his first concert. In 2013, they self-released their critically acclaimed first album “Rolin Humes welcomes you to the Penultimate Supper 6/8“. Alongside many concerts, Rolin Humes has won some prestigious awards which include fantastic eight wins in different festivals all over Europe. In 2015 they toured the USA (Georgia, Alabama & Tennessee) and recorded their second album “Rolin Humes presents Rolin Blues“, released in February 2015. The album was well received by the audience and the critics and was named as one of the best albums in Croatia in 2015. They have also played in Germany, UK, Austria, Romania, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovakia
Robert James Hudulin – piano, vocal
Emil Biscan – bass guitar
Nikola Smiljanic – guitar
Matej Smiljanic – drums
Denmark (DK): The Cornfeds
The musical style of The Cornfeds is based in the semi-acoustic blues and roots music of the 1930s and 40s, which has also been the main influence on the 12 original songs from their debut album “The Cornfeds”, released in the summer of 2016. An album that achieved nomination for a “Danish Music Award” in the category “Blues Album Of The Year”. For the past six years The Cornfeds have been playing many different stages from busking on the streets to festival venues and the stage of the legendary “Mojo Blues Bar” in Copenhagen. When the band is playing live expect to hear some of the old blues classics mixed in with their own original songs. “With their debut album, The Cornfeds show themselves to be an exciting and competent new name on the Danish blues scene. We can only hope for more albums of this calibre.” – Jakob Wandam, Bluesnews.dk
Sune Bjerre, vocals, harmonica, reso guitar, banjo
Jostein Burmann, hollow body guitar
Kasper Bjerre , hollow body bass, vocals
Jakob Kjærlund, washboard, drums, buckets, cups
Estonia (EE): Rene Paul Blues Band
Rene Paul Blues Band are a rockin’ quartet playing 60s electric blues with a modern rock twist. Led by 22-year-old singer-songwriter-keyboardist Rene Paul, the band features virtuoso guitarist Oskar Malleus on the guitar. Together, they bring you music where Jimi Hendrix meets Muddy Waters, and Albert King meets Joe Bonamassa.
Rene Paul – keys & vocals
Oskar Malleus – guitar
Raimond Mägi – bass
Peep Kallas – drums
Finland (FI): Honey B. Family
Honey B. Family is a natural born trio. Lead vocalist and bass player Aija ”Honey B” Puurtinen and guitar player/singer Esa Kuloniemi are complemented by their 15-year old son Moses on drums and vocals.
After a 35-year career (as the front figures of Honey B & T-Bones), Puurtinen and Kuloniemi are considered true legends in the Finnish blues scene, and Junior is already an esteemed jazz and blues drummer in his own right. After three years of gigging, Honey B. Family’s repertoire consists of blues and gospel. The trio is currently working on their debut album to be released in early 2017.
Aija ”Honey B” Puurtinen, vocals, bass
Esa Kuloniemi, guitar, vocals
Moses, drums
France (FR): Gaëlle Buswel
Known for her dynamic live performances, Gaëlle has played in over 500 concerts across Europe and North of America and has opened for such artists as: UB40, Les Tambours du Bronx, Elliot Murphy James Hunter Six, Tyler Hilton, Darren Criss… with a show characterized by her overflowing energy and intense emotion. She was awarded four times with her 2nd Album “Black to Blue”: “French revelation 2016″ at Cognac Blues Passion”, 1st prize at the National French Blues Challenge 2016, Revelation 2015 at the Cahors Blues Festival, Gaëlle was awarded 2 highly coveted prizes: the “Coup de Coeur” (Public’s Choice) as well as the prize “All That Jazz”. Selected “Artist of the Month” by the American magazine Concert Blogger, her last album backed by La Sacem, has been classified as a favourite by FNAC record stores in several European countries. GAËLLE BUSWEL is an artist who leaves no one indifferent. Her music has its roots in the blues and her voice reaches straight for the heart.
Gaelle Buswel, lead singer, guitarist
Michaal Benjelloun, guitarist, background vocals
Steve Belmonte, drums, background vocals
Xavier Zolli, bass, background vocals
Germany (DE): Chris Kramer & Beatbox ‘n’ Blues
Three guys from Germany forming an innovative trio with a fresh new Blues sound. Two guitars, a harp and a bold idea: bringing in a beatbox instead of a drum set means a unique groundbreaking performance with visible passion, gifted instrumental skills and an intense devotion to the Blues. The dedication and innovation of performance of the three artists led to the winning of the “2016 German Blues Challenge” in Eutin (Northern Germany) and the right to participate at the “2017 European Blues Challenge”.
Chris Kramer, lead vocals, harp, guitar
Sean Athens, guitars, backing vocals
Kevin O Neal, beatbox
Hungary (HU): Borsodi Blues Collective
The band’s history began in the mid-2000s when Lez Borsodi left a band which was one of the most well known groups of the Hungarian underground scene and created his band using his own name: Borsodi Blue. The professionals responded well and quickly to this new, exciting-sounding orchestra, Hungary’s finest musicians joined them in different sessions. Their first EP (Hit the road and live the blues) was released in 2006. The same year they were the warm-up band (with great success) before the concert of Joe Bonamassa in Budapest. The next LP (Moonshine and Wine) was released in 2011 getting excellent professional critics. Lez gave an interview to a famous Hungarian journal which mentioned him as being among the leading Hungarian guitarists. Since 2011 the writer of their lyrics is Little G. Weevil (International Blues Challenge winner, Blues Music Award nominee).
Lez Borsodi, guitar, vocals
Marton Pfeff, bass
Norbert Binder, keyboards
Istvan Mezöfi, drums
Italy (IT): Bayou Moonshiners
Both Stephanie Ghizzoni and Max Lazzarin have already spent long years on the main stages of Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. They have both have being leading their bands, opening for some of black music’s biggest names. In 2015 they finally decided to join forces giving life to Bayou Moonshiners, a duo (piano, hi hat, two singing voices) born to bring the style of New Orleans in a sort of never ending European tour. The first year was full of satisfactions, like their first place at the Italian Blues Challenge 2016, which will bring them to represent Italy at the European Blues Challenge in Denmark. Max and Steph like to rearrange traditional and modern pieces alike, and propose originals too. It will easily happen to hear some classic gospel, followed by an original composition, or a tribute to Professor Longhair… All with an original and recognizable sound made of their two voices and the unmistakable spirit of New Orleans!
Maz Lazzarinm voice and piano
Stephanie Ghizzoni, voice, snare, washboard, kazoo
Luxembourg: Kid Colling
It’s with ingenuity, passion and a contagious energy both powerful and delicate that Kid Colling embodies the world of “Modern Blues”, a mix of classic blues enriched with rock, and funk groove. Influenced by guitarists such as BB King, SRV, Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, Colling expresses the “Roots” by the warmth and the generosity of his sound and guitar play – not without adding a jazzy touch that livens up his performance. It’s his creative approach to music as well as the groove and the catchy melodies that get him noticed in the world of blues.
Kid Colling, guitar, vocal
Luca Sales, keyboard
Tom Heck, bass
Gilles Bernard, drums
Netherlands (NL): Detonics
When Detonics plays, people start moving their feet. Get ready for very energetic West Coast blues, played by five guys with looks to kill. Not only do they sound like the fifties, they also dress up fifties style. Inspired by the early west coast blues, Detonics mainly play swing & boogie. But don’t be surprised when you hear them play a rumba or a slow blues, all of course in the West Coast style. Creative, explosive music without straying too much to the traditional sound.
Kars van Nus, lead vocals, bluesharp
Jeremy Aussems, guitar
Raimond de Nijn, piano, hammond
Mathijs Rocks, drums
René Leitjem upright bass, backing vocals
Norway (NO): Daniel Eriksen
Through dedication and 20 years of relentless touring all over the world, Daniel Eriksen has built a reputation as a great slide guitarist. His style of dirty Mississippi delta blues, infused with New Orleans rhythms, gospel and boogie, has brought him many fans around the world. In addition to having studied the old masters of slide, like Blind Willie Johnson and Mississippi Fred McDowell, Eriksen has learned firsthand from modern masters such as Roy Rogers, Bob Brozman and John Mooney. Eriksen has shared the stage with fine blues artists such as Lazy Lester, John Mooney, James Harman, Rick Danko, Eden Brent, Grayson Capps, Fiona Boyes, Bill Abel, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and opened shows for B.B. King, John Mayall, The Yardbirds and his “mentor” Roy Rogers.
Daniel Eriksen, vocal, guitar
Stig Sjøstrøm, drums
Poland: (PO): Hot Tamales Trio
This acoustic trio which draws from the blues music tradition very quickly won the appreciation of wide audiences in Poland. They touch the heart with their beautiful songs, captivating lyricism, carrying with their music many kinds of emotions. Although young band, they already have lots of successes in their account. In the first year and a half of their performing, they recorded their debut album.
Eliza Sicińska, vocals
Kamil Solecki, acoustic and dobro guitars, banj
Łukasz Pietrzak, harp
Portugal: Messias And The Hot Tones
Messias and the Hot Tones came up to be one of the most relevant blues/soul bands in Portugal. Messias has seen his songs enter the TOP10 in the international “Blues Matters Magazine” (issue #72) and after that experienced several live performances all over the world (New York – USA, France, Spain, Ukraine). Messias has his own “Blue eyed soul” songs but he is mostly recognized by his “old” blues finger picking style of playing guitar. Fans heard his voice and started calling him the “Hot Tone”, that’s the origin of the band name.” (Blues Matters, UK)
Fernando Messias, vocals, guitar
André Teixeira, bass
Fausto Ferreira, piano, Hammond
Isaac Achega, drums
Romania: Southernman Robbie
Robert “Southernman Robbie” Zsugya (born 21 January 1987) is a Romanian musician, singer and songwriter, who can be seen performing on the blues stages. He brings the roots of the country blues with an archaic image, playing consecrated songs of the blues pioneers, but also his own written music, combining slide guitar, finger picking, vocals and kazoo that will carry you to the land of southern blues.
Throughout the years he performed in blues festival, blues stages and has been part of many musical projects. In 2012 he decided to hit the road to the west, where he joins the stage with blues pioneers from Austria. He spent almost a year in Northern Germany, where he preached the blues for shipyard workers from cities around the Northern Germany. With all the experience gained in his journey, he came back home to preach the blues today, for all the bluesy souls. His first album called “Devil got my name” with 14 acoustic blues songs was released on the last day of February (29). Southernman Robbie offers you throughout his album a very good 2016 kept secret from the Deep South Danube wildness, as an oasis of acoustic blues for souls.
Southernmann Robie, vocals, guitar and trumpet kazoo.
Slovakia (SK): Slovak Blues Project
Slovak Blues Project was founded by bluesman Lubos Bena. The special program brings together older and younger generations of the Slovak bluesmen. The project is presented as duo, trio or band performances. Slovak Blues Project has won several international competitions: Winner of Blues Alive 2016 in the Czech Republic, Galicja Blues Festival 2016 in Poland and Slovakian Blues Challenge 2016.
Palo Hrncirik – vocal, guitar
Lubos Bena – bass, drums
Spain (ES): Los Mambo Jambo
Barcelona-based combo Los Mambo Jambo have released their third LP, an explosive mix of fired-up rock & roll and grinding rhythm & blues, presented in an electrifying live show. Los Mambo Jambo is an instrumental group, playing 50s and 60s rock & roll, rhythm & blues, blues, surf and swing with 21st century energy and attitude, unleashing the heaving, savage music of the innovators of those far-off days onto the modern world. The unique Mambo Jambo style was born when four iconic figures from the European Rock and Roll and Blues scene came together: Dani Nel·lo on sax, Dani Baraldés on guitar, Ivan Kovacevic on bass and Anton Jarl on drums. Mix them up and you get the unique Jambophonic Sound.
Los Mambo Jambo… LIVE! Much of the band’s success is based on their unstoppable stage shows. Their set list is made up of sharp, intense pieces that need Los Mambo Jambo’s supreme level of musicianship, tightness and commitment to really work. The spectacle of these four individual but united musicians having a wild time up on stage really connects with the audience, who feed off the energy from the stage, becoming part of the whole happening. A live show by Los Mambo Jambo creates a cycle of energy that brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘the live circuit’! Much to the delight of critics and punters alike, Los Mambo Jambo can currently be seen presenting their Jambophonic Sound on stages in Spain and around the world.
Dani Nel.lo, baritone & tenor sa
Dani Baraldés, guitar
Ivan Kovacevic, double bass
Anton Jarl, drums
Sweden (SE): Headline Blues Band
Headline Blues Band is a blues band from Umeå with one foot in Chicago blues and the other one in the soul filled music from New Orleans.
Johan Öhman, piano, lead vocals
Ulph Johansson, guitar, vocals
Ulf Sundqvist, drums, vocals
Tomas Fredlander, bass
Switzerland (CH): Pascal Geiser Band
He plays the Blues… He lives the Blues… He enthuses with Blues… Pascal Geiser has grown up with the blues. He lives and personifies it. He excites the music world with his talent, authenticity and incredible charisma. Wonderful stories are packed in his songs that are sometimes gentle and other times very dynamic. The one always by his side is Shanky Wyser, 31. He started playing the piano at the tender age of three. Today, Shanky Wyser is one of the greatest virtuosos in the country. He is the musical director of the group, and a proud one, too, since the excellent band attracts attention and causes amazement.. Every musician in Pascal Geiser’s band is a class of his own. Together they are just unbeatable and worth more than one trip to their concerts.
Pascal Geiser, vocals, guitar
Shanky Wyser, organ, piano
Claudio Berla, bass
Simon Moll, drums
Rolf Mosele, guitars
Stefan Künzli, sax
Ernst Buchinger, trumpet
Dominik Honauer, trombone
United Kingdom (UK): Kaz Hawkins Band
Blues darling Kaz Hawkins from the UK is no longer Northern Ireland’s best-kept secret. Multi-award winning and unique with ‘knock your socks off’ vocals from an equally delicious firework of a character. Full of life in her unmistakable trademark look and a stage presence that beckoned being more than solely a songwriter. Guitarist Nick McConkey has been with Kaz over four years. Peter Uhrin on drums & vocals joined in 2015 who then added his brother Jan Uhrin on Bass to the band. Kaz Hawkins Band create high energy shows that push the boundaries of blues and soul.
Kaz Hawkins, vocal & acoustic guitar
Nick McConkey, electric guitar
Peter Unrin, drums & vocals
Jan Uhrin, bass