News

U.S. TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Jacksonville-based singer/songwriter JJ Grey will release THIS RIVER on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. This is Grey's seventh album (his fifth for Alligator Records) and his first studio album since 2010's acclaimed Georgia Warhorse. The New York Times says Grey's singing is "impassioned" and the band plays "riff-based Southern rock, cold-blooded swamp funk and sly Memphis soul."

THIS RIVER, like his previous releases, was produced by Grey and Dan Prothero, and recorded at Retrophonics Studio in Saint Augustine, Florida, with additional recording done in Grey's home studio, known as "The Egg Room."

As proven by his previous albums, Grey is a meticulous storyteller. "Many of the new songs," says Grey, "are about being your own worst enemy, and about normal folks pushing themselves over the edge." Grey's lyrics and slice-of-life scenarios are filled with honest detail, helping to bring his emotionally complex characters to life in songs including Somebody Else, 99 Shades Of Crazy, The Ballad Of Larry Webb and This River. "I see a little bit of myself in these songs," Grey states. "The difference is in the choices people make."

His gritty vocals and punchy horn arrangements add even more depth to the lyrical album. Grey's fervent delivery and the expert musicianship of the band pull the listener deep inside each track, making THIS RIVER a deeply moving and engaging musical statement. "I took my time and I'm happy for it," says Grey.

For THIS RIVER, Grey brought the whole band in to the studio and cut most of the tracks live. To JJ, the result was a bit more like their live show. "It adds so much more to the dynamic of a recording. It's so different when you get to play off each other rather than overdub each track," says Grey.

JJ Grey & Mofro will appear at SxSW in Austin, Texas in March and then head out on a massive cross-country tour. Grey and the band have been road-testing the new songs at sound-checks for a while now, and they're ready to hit the ground running. "This time around there's no learning curve," he says. "We'll be ready from the git-go."

Initial tour dates are as follows:

Apr-05 Fri - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
Apr-06 Sat - St. Augustine, FL - Rhythm & Ribs
Apr-09 Tue - Kansas City, MO - Knuckleheads
Apr-10 Wed - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
Apr-11 Thu - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
Apr-12 Fri - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird

Apr-13 Sat - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
Apr-16 Tue - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre
Apr-17 Wed - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
Apr-18 Thu - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall

Apr-19 Fri - Sewanee, TN - Lake Cheston

Apr-20 Sat - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Apr-24 Wed - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
Apr-25 Thu - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Apr-26 Fri - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
Apr-27 Sat - New York, NY-  Irving Plaza

May-16 Thu - Worpswede, Germany - Worswede Music Hall
May-17 Fri - Dortmund, Germany - FZW
May-18 Sat - Schoppingen, Germany - Grolsch Blues Festival
May-19 Sun - Raalte, Netherlands - Ribs & Blues Pinksteren
May-20 Mon - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal

May-24 - May-27 Fri - Mon - George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival

Jun-8 Sat - Greeley, CO - Greeley Blues Jam

BLUES PIANIST/SINGER/SONGWRITER ANN RABSON, 1945 - 2013

CO-FOUNDER OF SAFFIRE--THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN

Blues pianist/singer/songwriter/guitarist Ann Rabson died on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in Fredericksburg, Virginia after a long battle with cancer. She was 67. Co-founder of the hugely successful trio Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women, Rabson was a legendary force on the keyboards as well as being a deeply soulful vocalist. She recorded eight albums with Saffire and one solo CD for Alligator Records, and released three solo albums for other labels. Her most recent was 2012's Not Alone (VizzTone Records). Rabson's prodigious talent, along with her take-no-guff attitude, struck a chord with music fans around the world. Considered one of the finest barrelhouse blues pianists of her generation, Rabson -- an accomplished guitarist since she was a teen -- didn't start playing piano until she was 35. DownBeat magazine said that "Rabson plays bluesy, honky-tonk piano with staggering authority."

Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, Rabson's long-time friend and producer, says Ann was a driving force in the blues world. "Our dear friend Ann Rabson was an extraordinary blues singer, pianist and guitarist and a delightful, smart and funny person. As a founding member of Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women, a solo recording artist and a live performer, she brought her talent, intelligence and intense love for the blues tradition to every piece of music she played and sang. Ann never gave her music or the rest of her life less than 100% of her commitment. She was a loyal friend, a dedicated champion of the blues, a loving partner to her husband George, and an unforgettable woman. We were blessed to have known her."

Rabson was born in New York on April 12, 1945 and raised in Ohio. As a child she was touched by the blues. "Blues speaks to me directly. It wasn't a choice, I was drawn to it naturally, sort of like a sheepdog with sheep," she said. She received a guitar from her father when she was 17 and found role models in Big Bill Broonzy and  Memphis Minnie, one of the few early female blues guitarists. Ann quickly became an accomplished guitar player and first sang professionally while still in high school. By age 18 she was performing around the Midwest. In 1971, Ann moved with her daughter to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she performed full-time and gave music lessons on the side. During this time, Ann and her guitar student, Gaye Adegbalola, decided to perform together and the seeds of Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women were sown.

They pooled their money and recorded a demo tape, which they then forwarded to Alligator Records. Their 1990 self-titled debut became one of the label's best-selling releases. With the addition of Andra Faye McIntosh in 1992, the trio continued to win over audiences around the world with their wholly original and captivating albums and joyous live performances. Their recordings for Alligator are among the best-selling in the label's catalog. Ann released her first solo album, Music Makin' Mama, in 1997. When Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women disbanded after 25 years in 2009, Rabson recorded three solo albums and continued to perform solo and with friends, including guitarist Bob Margolin. She appeared on recordings for numerous artists, including Cephas & Wiggins, Pinetop Perkins, EG Kight and Ani DiFranco.

Ann is survived by her husband George Newman, daughter Liz Rabson Schnore and granddaughter Georgia Rabson Schnore.

Information on funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

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Statement from Ann's friend, gigging and recording partner, guitarist Bob Margolin:

"The blues world is sad to lose one of our bright lights. Ann Rabson passed at home in her sleep after years of quiet strength against deadly affliction. She knew it was coming and lived her life to its fullest. She loved to play blues for people more than anyone I ever knew, anyone! In 2012 our intense collaboration on recordings and shows together and hard road trips was deliberate and spirited. She gave Death the finger as long as she could, and gave Life ten fingers on her piano. Personally, Ann Rabson was a big sister to me. Now I'm going to do what she would want, play some blues for her and celebrate her life and hold her in my heart forever. If you see me on a bandstand, and half-close your eyes, you'll see her next to me."

ALLIGATOR RECORDS DEBUT CD ON MY MIND / IN MY HEART

TO BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 26

Boston-based soul singer/songwriter/guitarist Jesse Dee, whose Alligator Records debut CD On My Mind / In My Heart will be released on February 26, will open four concert dates for celebrated roots R&B artist James Hunter. Dee's warm and honest sound, his instantly memorable melodies and positive, slice-of-life lyrics (evoking the heyday of the Brill Building songwriters), expertly update soul music for contemporary audiences. Concert dates with Hunter are listed below:

22.February 2013 -- Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA
24.February 2013 -- Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
27.February 2013 -- The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
28.February 2013 -- World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

Influential music magazine Blurt-Online.com premiered the title track on January 14. Dee recently opened three shows for Rickie Lee Jones at Seattle's Jazz Alley and will announce more tour dates shortly. He will host his record release party at Boston's Brighton Music Hall on Saturday, March 9.

The new album is a sweet soul masterpiece full of good vibes and funky, joyful music. Like Sam Cooke, Dee writes about real life with true emotional poetry. His lyrics are set to toe-tapping melodies with horn charts channeling The Memphis Horns and 1970s-era Van Morrison. "I'm a music fan first," Dee says, "so it's important to me to seek out and create with original ideas. That's why songwriting is so important, and why I mean every word I write and sing."

NEW EP THREE FREE AMIGOS SET FOR FEBRUARY 12 RELEASE

New Orleans' guitarist/songwriter/vocalist Anders Osborne received three OffBeat (the magazine of "Louisiana Music, Food & Culture") Best Of The Beat Awards on Friday, January 18. Osborne, whose new EP Three Free Amigos will be released on February 12, was named Best Guitarist for the third straight year. He won the prestigious Songwriter Of The Year award for the second year in a row. And he received the coveted Song Of The Year award for Louisiana Gold, from his 2012 Black Eye Galaxy album.

Beginning February 1, Three Free Amigos will stream exclusively at Relix.com. Rather than his famed high-energy electric guitar playing, the EP presents a semi-acoustic collection of original songs cut in Anders' hometown in a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. Friends join him in various combinations, creating true musical magic. According to Osborne, the way this EP was recorded "is not what I usually do. I wanted to keep it loose and give fans something different."

On My Mind / In My Heart, the title track from the upcoming Alligator Records debut album from Boston's soul singing, songwriting, guitar playing Jesse Dee, will make its worldwide debut on Monday, January 14. The song will stream at Blurt-online.com, the website of the influential music magazine Blurt. The album will be released on Tuesday, February 26. Dee will tour extensively in support of the CD, with a show at New York's Iridium on Friday, March 8 and a hometown CD release party planned for Saturday, March 9 at Boston's Brighton Music Hall. The full tour schedule will be announced shortly.

With his warm and honest sound, his instantly memorable melodies and positive, slice-of-life lyrics (evoking the heyday of the Brill Building songwriters), Jesse Dee expertly updates soul music for contemporary audiences. The new album is a sweet soul masterpiece full of good vibes and funky, joyful music. Like Sam Cooke, Dee writes about real life with true emotional poetry. His lyrics are set to toe-tapping melodies with horn charts channeling The Memphis Horns and 1970s-era Van Morrison. "I'm a music fan first," Dee says, "so it's important to me to seek out and create with original ideas. That's why songwriting is so important, and why I mean every word I write and sing."

Guitarist/songwriter/singer Anders Osborne will release Three Free Amigos, his new six-song EP, on Tuesday, February 12. The entire EP will stream exclusively at Relix.com beginning February 1. Three Free Amigos is a semi-acoustic collection of original songs cut in Anders' hometown of New Orleans in a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, with friends joining him in various combinations, creating true musical magic. According to Osborne, the way this EP was recorded "is not what I usually do. I may never do it again. I wanted to keep it loose and give fans something different."

Three Free Amigos, produced by Osborne and Warren Riker, ranges from the road-diary reminiscence of the title track to the Bo Diddley-flavored Jealous Love to the reggae-rocking Marmalade to the warmly philosophical We Move On. Osborne examines love's healing power and strength on It's Gonna Be OK (previously recorded by Theresa Andersson) and offers profoundly simple advice in Never Is A Real Long Time. He is backed on some tracks by his road band -- bassist Carl Dufrene and drummer Eric Bolivar -- and on others he's joined by friends Michael Burkhart on Hammond B3 organ, Johnny Sansone on harmonica and accordion, Billy Iuso on acoustic guitar and Maggie Koerne on background vocals. A few songs from the improvisational recording sessions even feature Osborne playing bass and drums.

Osborne released his first full album in 1989, but since the release of his 2010 Alligator Records debut, American Patchwork and his 2012 follow-up, Black Eye Galaxy, he has earned hordes of new fans. He tours virtually non-stop, either with his road-tested trio, as a solo artist, or as a guest with his countless musical admirers, including Toots And The Maytals, Stanton Moore, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Keb Mo, and The Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh. He's appeared on Galactic's song Dark Water from their Ya-Ka-May album, and in 2011 produced and played on critically acclaimed albums by Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone and Mike Zito.

With American Patchwork, Osborne's fame suddenly reached a whole new level. Critics went wild, with OffBeat saying, "The record is a focused and tuneful triumph. Osborne's gifts as a guitar player are significant. His voice is so emotionally intense it feels like an explosion. He writes with remarkable eloquence...this is the living definition of great art." 2012's Black Eye Galaxy raised the bar even higher. USA Today says, "Black Eye Galaxy contains fiery anthems and dark confessional songs punctuated with incessant, penetrating guitar runs. It sounds like a cry of thanks from a rescued man."

OffBeat magazine named Osborne the Crescent City's Best Roots Rock Artist and declared him the city's Best Guitarist for 2010 and 2011. The magazine recently nominated him for seven 2012 awards, including Best Guitarist, Best Songwriter, Song Of The Year (for Louisiana Gold) and Album Of The Year (for Black Eye Galaxy). Guitar Player calls him "the poet laureate of Louisiana's fertile roots music scene."

EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY

Grammy Award-winning singer and accordionist Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr., leader of Buckwheat Zydeco, is being treated for early stage cancer on his left lung and a vocal cord. Dural will begin treatment immediately and doctors expect a full recovery. Buckwheat Zydeco will postpone current concert dates, but expects to return to touring this summer. "I feel fine," says Dural. "I'll beat this and be back on the road soon. And you can take that to your best bank!"

Dural -- along with his band Buckwheat Zydeco -- is the preeminent ambassador of Louisiana zydeco music.He and his band have played presidential inaugurals and have performed on national television -- including multiple appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman and other major TV shows. They have played with the Boston Pops, were featured in the closing ceremonies of the Atlanta Olympics, and opened one of Eric Clapton's entire North American tours. The New York Times says, "Stanley 'Buckwheat' Dural leads one of the best bands in America." His 2009 Alligator Records CD Lay Your Burden Down, produced by Los Lobos' Steve Berlin, received the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album.

Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1947. His father was an accomplished, non-professional traditional Creole accordion player, but young Buckwheat preferred listening to and playing R&B. He became proficient at the organ, and by the late 1950s was backing Joe Tex, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and many others. In 1971 he formed a 16-piece funk band, Buckwheat and The Hitchhikers. Never a traditional zydeco fan when growing up, Buckwheat nonetheless accepted an invitation in 1976 to join Clifton Chenier's Red Hot Louisiana Band as organist. He quickly discovered the joy and power of zydeco music, and marveled at the effect the music had on the audience.

Buckwheat's relationship with the legendary Chenier led him to take up the accordion in 1978. After woodshedding for a year, he felt ready to start his own band under the name Buckwheat Zydeco, and began his recording career. Albums for Blues Unlimited, Black Top and Rounder followed. Buckwheat befriended New York-based journalist Ted Fox (who would later become his manager). Fox championed Buckwheat to Chris Blackwell at Island Records, and Buckwheat soon received a multi-record deal. He has toured the world and played with numerous music legends, including Paul Simon, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples and many others.

Fans can leave messages and greetings for Dural on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BuckwheatZydeco?ref=ts&fref=ts.

NEW CD, ON MY MIND / IN MY HEART, TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 26, 2013 

Tough-but-tender soul and rollicking, rootsy R&B...infectious, revival-meeting furor.                                                            --Boston Globe

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of Boston-based soul singer/songwriter/guitarist Jesse Dee. With his warm and honest sound, his instantly memorable melodies and positive, slice-of-life lyrics (evoking the heyday of the Brill Building songwriters), Jesse expertly updates soul music for contemporary audiences. Dee's label debut, On My Mind / In My Heart (AL 4952), will be released on February 26, 2013. He will kick off a national tour with a hometown CD release party on Saturday, March 9 at Boston's Brighton Music Hall.

The new album, eleven original songs produced by Dee and Jack Younger, is a sweet soul masterpiece full of good vibes and funky, joyful music. Like Sam Cooke, Dee writes about real life with true emotional poetry. His lyrics are set to toe-tapping melodies with horn charts channeling The Memphis Horns and 1970s-era Van Morrison. "I'm a music fan first," Dee says, "so it's important to me to seek out and create with original ideas. That's why songwriting is so important, and why I mean every word I write and sing."

Dee won the 2010 Boston Phoenix Music Poll Award For Best R&B Act, both for the strength of his live show and the aftershocks of his 2008 debut CD, Bittersweet Batch (7Not Records/Munich Records). Dee regularly plays to packed clubs in New England and has toured Europe multiple times, earning new fans at every gig. Dee has opened for soul greats Al Green, Solomon Burke, Etta James, Bettye LaVette, and blues rockers Los Lobos and the J. Geils Band, and has shared stages many times with fellow soul singer James Hunter. The Boston Herald declares, "Dee has an explosive voice. He possesses a powerful, raspy tenor and an uncanny phrasing ability that can't be taught."

Born in 1980 in Boston, MA, Dee grew up in nearby Arlington. He got his first taste of soul music from local oldies radio station WODS when he was eight years old. As a child, he was drawn to the sounds of The Drifters, The Shirelles, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke and other doo wop, Motown and R&B greats. He was playing guitar by age 18, and by 19 was fronting a band. During this time, Jesse immersed himself in the music of Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Solomon Burke, Etta James, James Brown and all the deep soul masters, listening, learning, writing and continuing to hone his craft by playing live every chance he could get.

Dee attended Massachusetts College Of Art And Design, studying illustration, performance, production, mixed-media and composition. He played in bands and did some touring while in college before fronting his own band and releasing his first album, Bittersweet Batch, in 2008. The New York Daily News awarded the CD a rare four-star review, saying, "I am blown away by what's coming out of my speakers...remarkable... there isn't a bad song to be found...upbeat and soulful."

With his new relationship with Alligator Records, Dee will tour widely, bringing his modern, fun and timeless music to clubs, concert halls and festivals all over the world. Dee is proud of the songs on On My Mind / In My Heart, saying the music is a perfect representation of where he is as an artist. "Soul music is capable of touching the greatest and most diverse group of people," Dee says. "All the best soul music is based on shared experience. Songs have the ability to affect people, shine a light, lift them up, and push them forward. There's hope in these songs," he continues, "and people need that now more than ever."

Award-winning artist and vocalist Janiva Magness underwent successful surgery on Thursday, December 13 to repair damage to discs in her neck. Magness will be off the road for four to six weeks while she recovers, but will be back with a full touring schedule in early 2013. According to Magness, "I am feeling much better now (post surgery) and looking forward to sharing performances with friends and fans. It seems 2013 is going to be a very successful and exciting year!"

Just last week, Magness was honored with five Blues Music Award nominations, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award, a distinction Magness has won once before. She is the only female blues artist to receive this award other than blues legend Koko Taylor. Magness was also nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year for her 2012 Alligator CD, Stronger For It. In addition, Magness, for the first time in her career, was recognized for songwriting, with her composition (co-written with Dave Darling) I Won't Cry, getting the nomination for Song Of The Year. The 34th Annual Blues Music Awards will be presented by The Blues Foundation in Memphis on May 9, 2013 at the Cook Convention Center.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 2013 Blues Music Awards live on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville. Six Alligator recording artists received a total of 23 nominations. Vocalist/songwriter Janiva Magness received five (tied for the most artist nominations), including one for the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award. Soul man Curtis Salgado, blues legend Joe Louis Walker, and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Michael "Iron Man" Burks all received four nominations. Harmonica master/songwriter/vocalist Rick Estrin and his band The Nightcats received three nods. Chicago slide guitar hero Lil' Ed Williams received two nominations, one for Traditional Male Blues Artist, and his whole group, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials for Band Of The Year. Guitarist Kid Andersen of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats also received one nomination for the Gibson Guitar Award. In all, Alligator artists earned four of the five nominations for the B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award.

The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists. The 34rd Annual Blues Music Awards will be presented in Memphis on May 9, 2013 at the Cook Convention Center, and will be broadcast live in their entirety in Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville.

Alligator artists and nominations are as follows:

JANIVA MAGNESS:

B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year

Album Of The Year - Stronger For It

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - Stronger For It

Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year

Song Of The Year - I Won't Cry (by Janiva Magness & Dave Darling) from Stronger For It

JOE LOUIS WALKER:

B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - Hellfire

Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year

Gibson Guitar Guitarist Of The Year

 

MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS:

Album Of The Year - Show Of Strength

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - Show Of Strength

Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year

Gibson Guitar Guitarist Of The Year

CUTRIS SALGADO:    

B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year

Soul Blues Album Of The Year - Soul Shot

Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year

Song Of The Year - She Didn't Cut Me Loose (by Curtis Salgado, Marlon McClain & Dave Duncan) from Soul Shot

 

RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS:

B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year

Band Of The Year

Instrumentalist Of The Year - Harmonica

KID ANDERSEN (of RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS):

Gibson Guitar Guitarist Of The Year

LIL' ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS:

Band Of The Year

Traditional Blues Male Artist Of The Year

 

Award-winning guitarist/vocalist/songwriter and Alligator Records recording artist Tommy Castro has released a video for Greedy. The song is the A side of the new Tommy Castro & The Painkillers' vinyl 45 Greedy / That's All I Got, a limited edition, Castro-produced two-song record pressed on money-green vinyl. The 45 is available at Castro's live performances and at www.alligator.com. Both songs are also available as downloads, and the record will be in stores beginning January 15.

Since forming in February, 2012, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers have been tearing up the road. Along with original Tommy Castro Band bassist Randy McDonald, new members Byron Cage on drums and James Pace on keyboards, Castro pares his music down to its tough, raw core. "The Painkillers are very soulful and talented musicians with tireless energy that make me feel like I did when I first came on the scene," says Castro. "A lot of folks are having hard times these days, and they need something to lift them up and make them smile. Our music kills the pain."

Greedy is a sure-fire anthem for the times. The insightful, biting lyrics expose the hypocrisy of corporate and political greed while the emotional guitar playing and pulsing rhythms drive the message home. That's All I Got, the infectious, riff-heavy flipside, offers a simple solution to the ills laid out in Greedy: the power of love over money. Castro's melodic, potent guitar playing and pleading vocals tell the story of the song's narrator, who may not be rich, but who can offer plenty of love. With The Painkillers blazing behind him, Castro delivers an instant classic.

 

Alligator Records recording artists Joe Louis Walker, Curtis Salgado and the late Michael "Iron Man" Burks received Maple Blues Award nominations in the B.B. King International Artist Of The Year category. The 16th annual Awards presentation will be held in Toronto at Koerner Hall on January 21, 2013. The Maple Blues Awards, presented by the Toronto Blues Society, are Canada's national blues awards. Their goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field.