News

ALLIGATOR RECORDS SIGNS
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS

NEW CD SET FOR 2009

Alligator Records is proud to announce the signing of Northern California-based blues band, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. For more than 30 years and nine albums, singer/ harmonica player/ songwriter Estrin co-fronted the jumping, swinging Little Charlie & The Nightcats, along with guitarist Little Charlie Baty. Now, with Baty’s recent retirement from touring, Estrin -- along with the Nightcats longtime rhythm section of J. Hansen and Lorenzo Farrell and fiery young guitarist Kid Andersen -- has taken the lead on his own. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats’ sound, while still swinging the blues, is a harmonica-driven, rocking, guitar-fueled rave-up. The band performs new material as well as the well-known, well-loved classics from Estrin’s massive catalog.

Rick Estrin ranks among the very best harp players in the blues world. His work on the reeds is at once deep in the tradition of harmonica masters Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter Jacobs while at the same time pushing that tradition forward. The Associated Press called his harp playing, “endlessly impressive.” The great guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr. (who was schooled by Robert Johnson and who played on most of Little Walter’s Chess recordings) told Estrin, “Little Walter would be very proud of you.”

Rick’s seemingly effortless command of the harmonica is matched by his distinctive, soulful vocals and remarkable original songs. Ever since he started performing his own material, it has become increasingly clear that Rick Estrin is a songwriter of unparalleled skill. His quick wit, self-assured disposition, coifed hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharp attire inform his songs in a way that has led critics to compare him to Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and Willie Dixon.

Besides Estrin’s songwriting and musical skills, he is among the greatest live showmen around. “People don’t go out to see people who look like them,” says Rick. “They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that’s what you get when you come to see me perform.” The Chicago Sun-Times noted, “It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking.”

Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949. He discovered a whole new world when his older sister gave him a copy of Ray Charles’ The Genius Sings The Blues when he was 12. Albums from Jimmy Reed, Champion Jack Dupree, Mose Allison, Nina Simone and others soon followed. By the time he was a teenager in a racially mixed school, Estrin completely identified with the urban, African-American culture surrounding him. Estrin got his first harmonica at age 15, and by age 18 was proficient enough to begin sitting in at black clubs around the city. He moved to Chicago and worked with bluesmen Johnny Young, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay and Johnny Littlejohn before meeting and jamming with Muddy Waters. In fact, Muddy wanted Estrin join his band, but due to nothing more than some minor communication problem, it never happened.

Rick eventually met Little Charlie Baty and formed Little Charlie & The Nightcats. For the next 30 years, the band barnstormed around the globe, honing their skills and entertaining countless people. Now, as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats prepare to release their debut CD and wind their way around the country, they’ll continue bringing their fresh, well-loved sound to fans both old and new, packing clubs and dance floors wherever they go.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release – January 15, 2009
Contact: Marc Lipkin / 773-973-7736 x235
Email: publicity@allig.com

Alligator Records is proud to announce the signing of blues/rock guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro. Winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, Castro is known not only for his scorching musicianship, but also for his gritty vocals and soul-drenched songwriting. He is recognized as one of the absolute best players, singers and live performers around. Guitar Player called Castro “the hardest working bluesman on the scene today. He has a vibe somewhere between Booker T. & The MG’s and The Rolling Stones.”Playboy declared, “Castro throws rock and two bits of soul in his blues. He has the voice, the band and the guitar to pull it off.” Castro will record his Alligator debut this month, with John Porter (B.B. King, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, The Smiths, Otis Rush, Billy Bragg, Roxy Music) producing. 

Joining Alligator is a high point in Castro’s career. “I feel that in signing with Alligator I'm making a major step forward. I'm excited about the new release and grateful for the opportunity to record for a label with such a rich history in blues and American roots music.”

Iglauer is equally thrilled to have Castro in the Alligator fold, “Tommy Castro has earned his huge and devoted fan following the old-fashioned way—by delivering thousands of totally knockout live performances, coast to coast. His music rides the fine line between blues and Memphis soul, and his energy level is unbelievable. He’s certainly a guitar hero, but even more than that, Tommy is simply a great singer, very soulful and very intense.”

Born in San Jose, California in 1955, Castro first picked up a guitar at age 10. He came under the spell of Eric Clapton, Elvin Bishop, Michael Bloomfield and other blues rock players early on. As he got older, Castro moved forward by investigating the past, falling in love with the blues guitar work of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James and singers like Ray Charles and James Brown. By his late teens he was playing in a variety of San Francisco-area bands.

Castro joined Warner Brothers act The Dynatones in the late 1980s, where he honed his chops on the road for two years, performing live around the world and backing major artists like Carla Thomas and Albert King. He formed his own band in 1991 and won the Bay Area Music Award for Best Club Band in both 1993 and 1994. He released his debut album, Exception To The Rule, on Blind Pig in 1996. The album won the 1997 Bay Area Music Award for Outstanding Blues Album, and Castro also took the award for Outstanding Blues Musician that same year.

In the mid-1990s The Tommy Castro Band served as the house band for three seasons on NBC Television’s Comedy Showcase (airing right after Saturday Night Live), bringing him in front of millions of viewers every week. During the 1990s and into the 2000s, Castro released a series of critically acclaimed CDs for Blind Pig, Telarc and 33rd Street Records as well as one on his own Heart And Soul label. In 2001 and 2002 the legendary B.B. King asked Castro to open his summer concert tours. Playing over 80 concerts, Castro often found himself sitting with King to close out the show. As a further tribute to his talent, on October 16, 2006 San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared “Tommy Castro Day” throughout the city. 

Castro’s most recent releases, 2007’s Painkiller (Blind Pig) and 2008’sCommand Performance: Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue (Delta Groove) featuring appearances by Marcia Ball, Elvin Bishop, Magic Dick, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Curtis Salgado and Deanna Bogart, further heightened Castro’s profile at press and radio, and his fan base continued to grow. Painkiller won the 2008 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year. 

Publications across the country, from The Washington Post to The San Francisco Examiner, sang his praises. Billboard called him “a major blues player.” Carlos Santana, with whom Castro has also recorded and performed, said, “Tommy Castro has the voice and the sound to touch everybody’s heart.” With his upcoming Alligator debut and plenty of high-energy tour dates to follow, Castro is ready to write the next chapter of his already illustrious career.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release – January 7, 2009
Contact: Marc Lipkin / 773-973-7736 x235
Email: publicity@allig.com

Alligator Records is proud to announce the signing of musical legend Buckwheat Zydeco. The Louisiana accordion master and vocalist will begin recording his debut for the label on January 10 at the famed Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana with Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) producing. The multi-Grammy nominee will celebrate his 30th anniversary as a solo artist with the new CD and a lengthy tour.

Over the course of his celebrated career, Buckwheat Zydeco has played for President Clinton, performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics (to a worldwide audience of 3 billion people), and gigged with everyone from Eric Clapton (with whom he also recorded) and U2 to The Boston Pops. He has appeared in a number of theatrical films and on too many television programs to mention, including The Late Show With David Letterman, The Today Show, MTV, NBC News and many others.

According to Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer, the addition of Buckwheat Zydeco to the label is huge. “Buckwheat Zydeco is the iconic figure of Louisiana zydeco music worldwide. It’s a thrill to bring an artist of this stature to Alligator. More important, he still tears it up at every show. His energy level and accordion chops are just amazing, and he’s a terrific, soulful singer. And he’s no slouch on Hammond organ, either. I’m also excited to reunite Buckwheat with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos as producer. Berlin produced Five Card Stud, one of Buckwheat’s finest albums, so we’re expecting Buckwheat’s Alligator debut to be just as good, if not better. Also, Buckwheat has been booked for years by Concerted Efforts, a great agency for American roots music.”

Stanley Dural was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1947. He acquired his nickname because, with his braided hair, he looked like Buckwheat from The Little Rascals. His father was an accomplished, non-professional traditional Creole accordion player, but growing up Buckwheat preferred listening to and playing R&B. He became proficient at the keyboard, and by the late-1950s was backing Joe Tex and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. By 1971 he formed a 16-piece funk band, Buckwheat And The Hitchhikers. Never a traditional zydeco fan growing up, Buckwheat reluctantly 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 with the small Blues Unlimited label. By the mid-1980s there were more offers to perform than he could possibly accept. Recordings for Black Top and Rounder followed before Buckwheat hooked up with 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 five-record deal.

As more doors opened, Buckwheat found himself sharing stages and/or recording with Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, David Hidalgo, Dwight Yoakam, Paul Simon, and many others, including indie music darlings Yo La Tengo on the soundtrack to the Bob Dylan bio-pic, I’m Not There.

During the 1990s Buckwheat continued recording for his own Tomorrow Records label and never slowed down his touring schedule. With his new relationship with Alligator, an upcoming CD, his massive instrumental and vocal talents and boundless energy, Buckwheat Zydeco remains and will continue to be the most popular zydeco artist in the world for a long time to come.

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 5, 2009
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / ALLIGATOR RECORDS / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

Alligator Records has set ! a January 27 release date for Havin' The Last Word, the new (and final) release from the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed acoustic blues trio, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women. With their music, Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola and Andra Faye reestablish and update the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie. Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashes unforgettable originals, composed with humor and poignancy, alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs.

Over the course of six critically acclaimed studio albums, one live album and thousands of shows, the band has gone from virtual obscurity to become one of the most successful acoustic blues groups today. They will embark on their farewell tour starting in February to say goodbye to their long-time fans. In conjunction with the final album and tour, a ! new documentary film on Saffire’s incredible story, Hot Flash, will be available on iTunes beginning in early 2009.

During the course of their 25-year career, words like 'fearless,' 'inspiring,' 'witty,' 'joyful' and 'powerful' have been used to describe Saffire's smart, sassy, and deeply emotional blues. Havin' The Last Word will be their final declaration together as Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women; the group has decided it’s time to move on so they can pursue their own individual interests. But pianist/guitarist/ vocalist Ann Rabson, guitarist/ harmonicist/ vocalist Gaye Adegbalola and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andra Faye have plenty to say with Havin' The Last Word. 

Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women burst onto the national music scene in 1990 with the release of their self-titled debut album, after six years of playing locally and regionally. With their brazen, no-holds-barred acoustic blues, Sa! ffire took the music world by storm and earned legions of fans of all ages around the globe. The group quickly went from being local favorites to internationally recognized blues stars, sharing stages with Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Willie Dixon, who said of the band, "They knock me out." National media like People, Entertainment Tonight, CNN's Showbiz Today and National Public Radio's Weekend Edition sang the band’s praises.

Their debut album, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, became one of Alligator's biggest selling releases ever. 1991's Hot Flash, followed by 1992's BroadCasting (with Andra Faye guesting on guitar, fiddle and mandolin), took Saffire to even greater heights; Andra’s mastery of all things stringed and her country-tinged vocals added a new dimension to Saffire&! rsquo;s music. Constant touring and increased radio play earned the gr oup new fans everywhere they went. Features in Ms. and other magazines plus an interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air spread the word all across the country. Their subsequent albums, 1996's Cleaning House, 1998's Live & Uppity and 2001's Ain't Gonna Hush! earned the band hordes of new fans and mountains of critical acclaim. And in 2006 Alligator released their "best of" CD, Deluxe Edition.

The new CD may be called Havin' The Last Word, but you haven’t heard the last of Ann, Gaye and Andra; these three are far from hanging up their instruments, and each will continue to perform. The success of Saffire has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. With Havin' The Last Word, Saffire's positive message of strength, joy, love and sisterho! od through music will continue to reach all corners of the music-loving world. And that's saying a lot.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2008
CONTACT: Marc Lipkin / 773-973-7736 X235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

MARCIA BALL RECEIVES GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATION FOR 2008 RELEASE, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ

CATEGORY 67 -- Best Contemporary Blues Album
Marcia Ball – PEACE, LOVE & BBQ (Alligator Records)

Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist/ vocalist/ songwriter Marcia Ball has received a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for her critically acclaimed CD, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ. This is Ball’s fourth release for Alligator Records and the third to receive a Grammy Award nomination.

The winners of the 51st Grammy Awards will be announced on February 8. The other nominees in the Contemporary Blues category are Solomon Burke, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Irma Thomas.

Over the course of her career, Ball’s infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional songs have won her a large and loyal fan base all over the world. Ball won two 2004 Blues Music Awards for “Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year” for her previous studio album, the Grammy-nominated, SO MANY RIVERS, as well as the award for “Contemporary Female Blues Artist Of The Year.” And in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Blues Music Awards honored Ball as the “Piano Player Of The Year.” She was also voted “Most Outstanding Musician” in the 2007 Living Blues Readers’ Poll.

Produced by Stephen Bruton, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ finds Marcia Ball at a creative peak. She wrote or co-wrote eight of the thirteen songs on the CD, ranging from intense soul ballads to can’t-sit-still party songs to straight-from-the-heart lyrical storytelling. With guests Dr. John, Wayne Toups, Tracy Nelson and Terrance Simien lending a hand, the music moves effortlessly through a range of emotions, so the listener may be dancing one minute and be deeply moved the next.

THE PRESS SPEAKS ABOUT MARCIA BALL:

More fun than a barrel of funky monkeys. Ball’s awesome mélange of keyboard styles sets the tone: Call it the zydeco boogie-woogie blues. Horns chug faster and faster, guitars drop by for a rock ‘n’ roll interlude.

--National Public Radio

Marcia Ball plays two-fisted New Orleans barrelhouse piano and sings in a husky, knowing voice about all the trouble men and women can get into on the way to a good time.

--New York Times

Ball, a rocking singer/pianist, plays honky-tonk struts, party funk and soulful ballads. Her boogie-woogie piano style sets crowds in motion. She is a sensational, saucy singer and superb pianist... where Texas stomp-rock and Louisiana blues-swamp meet.

--USA Today

Peace, Love & BBQ is a welcome ray of sunshine. This is a potent batch of tunes, highlighted by Ball’s keyboard mastery. Smooth blues, sweet zydeco, soulful, fast and furious Texas boogie…she kills every time. Heartfelt.

--Billboard

Swamp pop, blues, zydeco, Cajun, boogie-woogie, funk all delivered with exceptional verve. …Angelic harmonies…bright, smoke-tinged voice… made-for-dancing… funky, horn-fueled, rollicking swamp pop…melds swing and jump blues with New Orleans boogaloo. Ball plays the keys like a piano professor. Recommended.

--Austin American Statesman

Lots of upbeat party tunes, a few peppy Cajun and zydeco inflected zingers, some ballads, and a couple of love songs all delivered with Ball’s husky, soulful voice and driven by her nimble bogie-woogie piano. Ball is a classy, demanding, and talented musician…energetic, terrific, gripping, riveting. Peace, Love & BBQ is a sermon well-worth hearing.

--allmusic.com

Swaggering New Orleans romp…Ball’s fingers are magic on the 88s and range through styles with ease.

--Austin Chronicle

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 15, 2008
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / 773-973-7736 x235 (email: publicity@allig.com)

Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor and singer/pianist Marcia Ball each received prestigious Living Blues Awards, Living Blues magazine announced.

In the Critics’ Poll, Taylor took the award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female). In the Readers’ Poll, Taylor took that same honor, as well as the award for Best Blues Album Of The Year for her critically acclaimed CD, OLD SCHOOL. Ball won for Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) in the Readers’ Poll.

15th ANNUAL LIVING BLUES AWARDS READERS’ POLL
KOKO TAYLOR
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)

MARCIA BALL
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

15th ANNUAL LIVING BLUES AWARDS CRITICS’ POLL
KOKO TAYLOR
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 26, 2008
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / ALLIGATOR RECORDS / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

THE BLUES MACHINE, KOKO TAYLOR’S BAND, INVOLVED IN VAN ACCIDENT

The Blues Machine, Koko Taylor’s band, was involved in a serious van accident near Black River Falls, Wisconsin early morning on Saturday, August 23. Koko was not in the van at the time. The van was the only vehicle involved in the accident. They were on their way to Thief River Falls, Minnesota for a concert and planned to meet Koko there.

Traveling were guitarist Calvin Louden, guitarist Shunsuke Kikuta, bassist Ricky Nelson, drummer Brian Parker, keyboardist Stanley Banks, driver Jesse Hutson and road manager Lee Threatt (husband to Joyce “Cookie” Threat, Koko’s daughter).

Louden, Kikuta, Nelson, Parker, and Banks all suffered broken bones and required surgery.  Hutson and Threatt were treated and released from the hospital

There were no life-threatening injuries and all are expected to make full recoveries. 

Cards can be sent to individual band members care of Alligator Records, PO Box 60234, Chicago IL 60660.

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Beginning October 26, 2008, guitarist/vocalist Michael “Iron Man” Burks and powerhouse blues singer Shemekia Copeland will perform for U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait as part of the second Bluzapalooza tour this year. During the 12-day tour, they will join blues artists Deanna Bogart, Zac Harmon, Moreland & Arbuckle and Tony Braunagel and The Bluzapalooza All-Star Band.

The tour was created by blues producers Steve Simon and John Hahn and is presented by Armed Forces Entertainment. The first tour, featuring blues/soul vocalist Janiva Magness, legendary R&B singer Bobby Rush and harmonicist Billy Gibson, began on April 1, 2008.

Burks feels privileged to be making the trip. “I’m happy for the chance to show my appreciation for what the troops are doing. For me to play for them is a small gesture compared to the sacrifices they make every day.”

Copeland agrees. “I am deeply honored to be going over there to entertain our troops -- and Lord knows I love to hang out with men in uniforms.”

Bluzapalooza founder and producer Simon states, “We are thrilled to be going back to Iraq and to have so many great blues artists volunteering to go to a war zone. This is certainly an historic event for the blues and for our men and women who so proudly serve our country.”

Co-producer Hahn adds, “Our October tour’s lineup would sell out any blues festival in the country. It's an honor to be able to bring it to our troops.”

Renowned New York photographer, Joseph A. Rosen, a recipient of the “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award from The Blues Foundation, will document this historic tour.

A free limited edition 14-track blues sampler CD will be distributed to the troops, featuring songs from artists on the upcoming tour, the previous tour, as well as other blues stars. All the recorded performances and all the costs involved with the CD, from manufacturing and printing to song publishing and artwork, were donated free of charge.

Artists on the CD, simply titled BLUZAPALOOZA, are, from the first tour: Janiva Magness, Bobby Rush, and Billy Gibson; from the upcoming tour: Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Shemekia Copeland, Moreland & Arbuckle, Zac Harmon and Deanna Bogart; and also The Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, and The JW-Jones Blues Band.

The Bluzapalooza tour is made possible with the help of Armed Forces Entertainment, The Blues Foundation, Blues Revue, Alligator Records, NorthernBlues Music, Blind Raccoon, Delta Groove Records, Blind Pig Records, Hohner Harmonicas, Telarc Records, Sony Corporation, Ruf Records and Entertainment Support Systems, LLC.

Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. Founded in 1951, AFE brings entertainment to more than 500,000 troops each year.