There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. Memphis vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history. His name is worthy of conversations that include Jason Ricci, Billy Gibson, Dennis Gruenling, Rick Estrin and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield. Raised in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Brandon purchased his first harmonica in 1997 at the age of fifteen when his mother took him to the local music store upon his request. He founded the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him.This Time Another Year is Brandon’s second album, recorded at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis and features twelve dynamic performances from his former live band (playing over 220 shows together in 2012) while enlisting the help of good friends Victor Wainwright and Chris Stephenson. This sophomore effort was recorded live over a span of four days with minimal overdubs which created a very “live” sound. The album debuted at #12 on the Living Blues Radio chart spending three months in the Top 20 as well as picking up a prestigious nomination for “Contemporary Blues Album” in the 2014 Blues Music Awards . Brandon was also nominated for a 2014 Blues Music Award in the category of, “Instrumentalist- Harmonica” and a Blues Blast Music Award in the category of, “Sean Costello Rising Star!”
https://www.facebook.com/BrandonSantiniMusic/timeline
Gracie Curran:
Garnering comparisons to greats such as Aretha Franklin and Etta James,
Gracie Curran & Her High Falutin’ Band have earned their reputation for jaw dropping blues & soul.
2013 was a breakout year for The High Falutin’ Band, earning a nomination Best New Artist in the 2014 Blues Music Awards along with nominations for Best Blues Act for the 2013 Boston Music Awards, and Best Blues Act for the 2014 New England Music Awards.
In addition to these honors, they’ve been listed as one of the Top 30 Roots/Soul Acts along with Sharon Jones The Dap Kings and Alabama Shakes, and Gracie included on the list of the Top 30 Vocalists with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, and more by Alternate Root Magazine.
In just four years, they have won over audiences across the US, playing to packed houses up and down the East Coast. They have shared the stage with such lumanaries as Peter Parcek, Shemekia Copeland, Nick Moss, Roomful of Blues, Sax Gordon, Mike Welch, Tom Holland & Darrell Nulisch (James Cotton), John Nemeth and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin.
Their debut album “Proof of Love” received critical acclaim, continues to gather rave reviews from around the world, and can be heard on XM Bluesville and radio stations throughout the United States, and in England, Austrailia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain and more. Gracie called upon veteran producer Richard Rosenblatt to co-produce and play harmonica, and the album features horn players Mark Earley and Doug Woolverton of the legendary Roomful of Blues, and stalwart keys player Bruce Bears of The Duke Robillard Band. “Proof of Love” was released in Feburary 2013, on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee while the band was competeing in the 29th International Blues Challenge.
With appearances atThe Gloucester Blues Festival, New England Blues Festival, and The Boston Freedom Rally with more than 50,000 attendees,
Gracie Curran & the High Falutin’ Band are gearing up for a busy 2014 and look forward to infusing audiences with their amazing energy and stunningly soulful sound.
https://www.facebook.com/TheHighFalutinBand/timeline
