Artists
Little Willie Littlefield (piano/vocals, USA)
We are very proud to be able to announce the living legend Little Willie
Littlefield (Houston/Texas/USA).
Fats Domino always mentions Littlefield as one of his favorite piano players
and musical inspirators. Littlefied played in shows with Ray Charles,
BB King, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
Little Willie Littlefield began his career as a recording artist at the
age of 16 for Eddie's Records in Houston. His first recording "Little
Willie's Boogie" was a hit in Texas. In Houston Willie recorded 8
tracks for Eddie's Records and Freedom Records in 1948/1949.
While in Houston, word reached the Bihari brothers (owners of the Modern-label
in Los Angeles) about a teenage wonderboy pianist who was currently breaking
up at the Eldorado Ballroom. Before leaving Houston Jules Bihari had already
inked a contract, recorded Littlefield's first side "It's Midnight"
and arranged for Littlefield to come to the West Coast. When Littlefield
arrived in L.A.later that month "It's Midnight" was a big hit
(peaked at 3) in the chards nationwide and he was booked in L.A.'s Melody
Club and in Johnny Otis' famous Barrelhouse in Watts. He was an overnight
sensation.
"It's Midnight" not only established him in the Rhythm and Blues
field, but also left an impression on other upcoming stars such as Fats
Domino who developed his triplet piano style from the Littlefield recording.
Littlefield recorded about 30 tracks for Modern in 1949, 1950 and 1951
and scored some more hits such as "Farewell"and "I've been
lost". He recorded with L.A.'s leading Rhythm and Blues session musicians
including saxplayers Maxwell Davis and Buddy Floyd, guitarists Chuck Norris
and Johnny Moore and drummers Al Wichard and Jessie Price.
In 1952 Littlefield switched to Federal Records where he cut many successful
sides including the original version of "Kansas City" (original
title was "K.C.Loving"). By 1957 he had moved to Northern California
and recorded for Rhythm Records where he produced his hit "Ruby Ruby".
During the sixties he was content to play various clubs around the San
Francisco area. In the seventies he was re-discovered and returned to
the public stage with appearances at the first San Francisco Bluesfestival
and the Sacramento Bluesfestival. In the mid-seventies he recorded several
sides for Blues Connoisseur Records.
In 1978 he did his first, very successful, tour in Europe. Since 1980
Willie has been continually on the road in Europe, playing theatres, clubs
and festivals.His first performance at the Montreux Jazzfestival was broadcasted
on television by the BBC. He appeared at many radio- and televisionshows
all over Europe. But Willie also continued his performances outside Europe.
Willie toured in Canada and appeared at the Chicago Bluesfestival in 1988.
He performed in the Australian film "Love in Limbo", presented
at the Berlin filmfestival 1993.
During the period 1980-1997 he recorded 10 albums for several european
recordcompanies. These albums were spoken in much appreciation by the
music crititcs. |
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Big Jay McNeely (saxophone/vocals, USA)
“Rock ‘n’ roll saxophone pretty much begins with Big
Jay Mc Neely. He’s the king of the honkin’, squealin’,
bar walkin’, flat-on-his-back Blowin’ tenor men – the
Number One “real gone guy” of the 50’s.” (Black
& White Blues)
Tenor saxophonist Cecil "Big Jay" McNeely has been "the
king of the honkers" for over 50 years, and he's still going strong.
Born in Watts, California, on April 29, 1927, he formed his own band with
jazz legends Sonny Criss (alto sax) and Hampton Hawes (piano) while still
in high school. But in late 1948, when he was asked to record for Savoy
Records, he abandoned jazz for something more raucous and struck paydirt
when his second release, a honked-up instrumental called "Deacon's
Hop," went to ..1 on the national R&B charts in February 1949.
For the next several years, Big Jay, according to The New Rolling Stone
Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, "was famed for his playing-on-his-back
acrobatics and his raw, hard-swinging playing." During his act he'd
leave the stage, walk across the top of the bar, and sometimes walk out
the door of the club, often with a line of people following him. Once,
in San Diego, during one such "walk," he was arrested on the
street for disturbing the peace; inside the club, his band kept playing
until someone could rush down to the police station, post Big Jay's bail,
and bring him back to finish his song.
In
the early- to mid-fifties, Big Jay added vocal groups to his act, beginning
with Four Dots & Dash, which included, at one time or another, 16-year-old
Jesse Belvin, Marvin Phillips (later of Marvin & Johnny fame), Tony
Allen and Mel Williams. In fact, Belvin made his first recordings with
Big Jay, including "All That Wine Is Gone." Big Jay also worked
extensively with The Hollywood Flames, The Penguins and The Medallions
up and down the West Coast. In 1955-56 he shared the stage with the Clovers,
the Harptones (at the Apollo Theater), Bill Haley and His Comets, the
Moonglows, Little Richard, and others.
In
1959 Big Jay enjoyed his biggest hit, a blues ballad called "There
Is Something on Your Mind," featuring Haywood "Little Sonny"
Warner on vocals. The record stayed on the R&B charts for six months
and reached as high as ..44 pop. The song was later a hit for Bobby Marchan.
Other artists who have recorded Big Jay's song include B.B. King, Etta
James, Freddy Fender, The Hollywood Flames, Gene Vincent, Albert King
and Professor Longhair.
Big
Jay retired from full-time music for 20 years, but in 1983 he returned
to performing and hasn't looked back. In 1987 he played in a blues jam
with B.B. King, Robert Cray, Etta James, Albert King, Junior Wells and
others on the internationally-televised Grammy Awards. |
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Mike
Sanchez (piano/vocals, UK)
British singer, pianist and guitarist Mike Sanchez is one of
the most exciting and charismatic performers of Rhythm & Blues and
Rock 'n' Roll in the world today. His indelible image as a frenetic front
man, pumping powerful boogie-woogie from the piano in a soaking suit,
has won him fans from all over the world and attracted a following from
many famous rock and blues legends who have lined up to work with him.
Mike spent four years as a full-time member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings,
fronting the band alongside Georgie Fame, Beverly Skeete, Albert Lee,
Andy Fairweather-Low and Eddie Floyd on their annual world tours. The
Rhythm Kings released their album ‘Just for a Thrill’ and
a fabulous DVD entitled ‘Let The Good Times Roll’, both featuring
Mike’s extensive role as a member of the ex-Rolling Stones bassist’s
touring band
In December 07 Mike was invited to appear as a guest vocalist with Bill
Wyman's Rhythm Kings at one of the most publicised musical events of the
year - the final Led Zeppelin reunion at London's O2 Arena, a tribute
to the memory of the late Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records.
Mike performed alongside such soul legends as Ben E King, Percy Sledge
and Sam Moore.
The well-established magazine Blues in Britain voted Mike 'UK Keyboard
Player of the Year' for four consecutive years (2000-2004). Mike's
main aim has always been to make every live show his best yet as he continuously
enjoys growing acclaim and admiration for his electrifying stage performances
from new and old fans of all age groups across the world. |
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Mike Sanchez (UK)
