Way to go Balkun Brothers! The competition seems to get more intense every
year as the talent in the state continues to improve. Really excited for the
Bros in Memphis! Congrats to all the great acts who competed.
Ramblin’
On Oct 24, 2016, at 5:32 AM, Tom Piazza <plos@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Congrats to the winners and to all the performers.. We got great music in
this state!
TBone
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Droid
On Oct 24, 2016 4:13 AM, EDWARD STACK <jakecat39@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
CTBS is proud to announce the winner of the 13 th Annual Solo Duo Challenge
is THE BALKUN BROTHERS. Their outstanding performance scored at the highest
levels in technical skills (vocal & instrumental), originality, blues content
and of course, stage presence. Steve's confident vocals, wild guitar paying,
rapport with the audience, and Nick's spectacular drumming put this act at a
premier level. Their previous appearances at the International Blues
Challenge have led to gigs and festivals around the country (including
European tours). There is no doubt the Balkun Brothers perform at a level
worthy of being booked for major festivals. Steve dances around the stage as
a man possessed, playing his home made guitars.Nick's drumming is a perfect
compliment to Steve's playing, and is the development of many hours of
working together.They both add visually to the stage show. Been Driven, from
their latest CD, opened the set and let us know we would witness something
special. Followed by the great party song I Wanna Get High.Their Down to the
Pawnshop evoked John Lee Hooker. The only cover was an outstanding version of
Johnny Winter's Mean Town Blues - with a trace of Bo Diddley and Blues Had a
Baby and Named it Rock and Roll. Electric blues rock for all ages.
JAKE KULAK AND JEREMY PECK - Jake on guitar & vocals and Jeremy on drums and
2 nd guitar are teenagers who perform a professional and mature set of
electric blues. They started with a solid interpretation of Robert Johnson's
Ramblin on my Mind and Stop Breaking Down. Jeremy joined Jake on guitar for
So Sweet. On the following song, he was back on drums (playing a Mississippi
hill country style). Jake played an excellent guitar solo on Willie John's
Need Your Love So Bad. A highlight was an upbeat adaption of the traditional
blues song Hesitation Blues. Jake Kulak and the Low Down will be representing
the CTBS in the Youth Showcase, at the IBC, in Memphis again this year.
THE COFFEE GRINDER DUO - The Coffee Grinders have become the foremost
proponent of traditional Delta Blues, in CT. They are well versed in the
history and culture of the blues. their interest and respect for the genre
comes through in their music. Jim Choquette has a great voice, with a wide
range. His amplified harp carries you back to the Delta or up to Chicago.
Frank Breen plays authentic traditional blues, whether fingerpicking or using
a slide. His deep bluesy voice evokes Charlie Patton. Jim did an excellent
version of Robert Johnson's Stop Breaking Down and Frank followed with a fine
rendition of Tommy Johnson's Bye Bye Blues ( including skillful
fingerpicking). Frank provided the driving beat of Kind Hearted Woman, while
Jim hit some very high notes. They did an original song based on Charlie
Patton and closed with a rousing version of Memphis Minnie's When the Levee
Breaks ( many will remember the recording by Led Zeppelin). When you see the
Coffee Grinders in clubs, they will be joined by Howie Horn, on washtub bass.
SHAWN TAYLOR - Shawn is blessed with a unique Tom Waits like voice. He
performs on acoustic guitar with a racked harmonica. He started, using a
guitar from his father, and singing in a gravely voice that immediately got
the attention of the audience.Tom Wait's Woke Up This Morning fit Shawn's
style perfectly. You Gotta Be Kidding Me had the audience interested in his
stories.Shawn changed guitars and stood up for the emotional Have Mercy on
Me. His wondering roots music told us about his rambling to Georgia and back.
A highlight was his version of Georgia on my Mind, reminding is of Ray
Charles and including a soulful harp solo.
MARK ZARETSKY AND MIKE BLOOMER - Mark and Mike are talented veteran
musicians, who have supported the CTBS by performing in various events and
appear regularly around CT. You can always count on them to do an
entertaining set of original material. Mark plays Chicago style amplified
harp and Mike plays guitar (including slide), both do vocals. Mark joked that
Mike does songs from the swamps of eastern CT and Mark does gun songs from
the streets of New Haven. They opened with Mark's Cool Rockin Mama, featuring
excellent harp. Mike's song about Willimantic (Frog City Blues) had nice
slide and "the talking blues" showed his sense of humor. Mark was "down in
the alley" and walking the streets on the deep blues of I'm Crying, with
another nice harp solo. The most contemporary song of the night was Mark's "
Put the Guns Down Baby, got to be another way".
Thanks to Steve Vastakis and his staff at the Pine Loft for hosting the
Challenges. Joe Marturano for the Sound. Sue and Ray the Event Coordinators.
Terri the timekeeper. Sue for the raffle ($100 for the sound man and $100 for
the winning ticket). All the judges. The jam band while Ray was tabulating
(River City Slim, Mike Bloomer, and Howie Horn on washtub bass). Kent and Dom
for taking pictures.And the audience, who encouraged the musicians and gave
attention to the performances.
Ed Stack Connecticut Blues Society
