The Mississippi Valley Blues Society announces that keyboard wizard Bruce Katz and the Bruce Katz Band will be making a stop at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, IA on Saturday, June 6 starting at 8:30 p.m. The cost to see this brilliant performance will be $8 if you are a Mississippi Valley Blues Society member, or $10 if you have not joined the blues society (applications will be available at the door).

In a recent review of Bruce Katz's new CD, Homecoming, Jim Kanavy of Blues Biscuits describes the Bruce Katz Band:  "It's like Mozart with a jazz trio playing at Junior's Juke Joint on a Thursday night. At a recent show, Bruce was heard to say, several times, that 'It's all Blues'." And the Toledo City Paper says that "His sound resembles what would have happened had a jam session broken out between Jimi Hendrix, Professor Longhair and Frank Zappa."

Bruce Katz was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and from 1996 - 2010 he was on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music in Boston as an associate professor. Playing music, both Blues and Jazz, has been his thing for many years and it shows in each of his performances.

In the early '80s Bruce's first major supporting gig was for Big Mama Thornton; he then worked and toured with Barrence Whitfield & the Savages, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Witherspoon, Johnny Adams, and Tiger Okoshi. Burned out from life on the road, he enrolled at New England Conservatory, earning a master's degree in Jazz. Five months after graduation, Bruce met Ronnie Earl, who hired him as one of theBroadcasters. Bruce is also known as the dexterous pianist for the Gregg Allman Band.

Bruce has released 6 CDs with a seventh, Homecoming, newly released. He has also appeared on nearly 70 others CDs with the likes of Ronnie Earl, Delbert McClinton, John Hammond, Duke Robillard, Little Milton, Jimmy Witherspoon and many, many others. His list of national recognized awards go on and on, but to name two, Bruce is a three-time Blues Music Award nominee for "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year," and a member of the New York State Blues Hall Of Fame.

This event is being presented by The Mississippi Valley Blues Society. The objective of the Society is to educate the general public about the native art form of blues-related music through performance, interpretation and preservation, thus enhancing appreciation and understanding.

Sunday 26 April, 5:00 p.m.

Redstone Room, Davenport

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Central Iowa Blues Society, Southeast Iowa Blues Society, and South Skunk Blues Society present the 2015 Iowa Blues Challenge (IBC). The IBC is a cooperative effort among the four organizations to select a solo-duo and band participant to represent the State of Iowa at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, in January 2016.

The Final Round of the IBC will be held in Des Moines, IA on May 16, but first each solo/duo and band, made up primarily of Iowa based musicians, must surmount a Preliminary Round. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society Preliminary Round of the IBC will be held at the River Music Experience, 129 N. Main Street, Davenport, IA on Sunday, April 26 starting at 5:00pm. Admission price is $8 for ALL Blues Society members and $10 for non-members. Three (3) bands and three (3) solo/duo acts will be competing with only one (1) solo/duo act and one (1) band moving on to the final round in Des Moines.

The 2015 Mississippi Valley Blues Society Preliminary Round participants are:

Down the Drain (Band)   5:00pm

Dan Peart (Solo/Duo)   5:45pm

Zach Harris Band (Band)  6:20pm

Myers Brothers (Solo/Duo) 7:05pm

Concreteslim & the Sidewalks (Band) 7:40pm

Rowdy Rooster (Solo/Duo)  8:25pm

Each solo/duo group will play a 20-minute set and each band will play a 30-minute set with 5-8 judges critiquing each act on blues content, vocals, originality, talent, and stage presence. The criteria for the 2015 Preliminary Round are similar to the standards that each group will face if they move on to the Iowa State Final Round and the International Competition.

Bands and solo/duo acts moving on to the Iowa State finals will also have a chance to win cash prizes, recording time, opportunities for paid performances, and money to help with travel expenses for 2016 International Blues Challenge.

BAND BIOS

DOWN THE DRAIN (BAND) - 5:00pm

Down the Drain has been together for four years, performing blues, rock, country, and funk in small towns surrounding the Quad City area. The original power trio of Levi Craft, Jim Drain, and Cooper Schou would often have Sarah Hanson sit in on gigs, but this is the first all four have worked together as a full musical unit. All four of the musicians originally met at RME programs when they were twelve and thirteen years old.

Levi Craft, guitar and vocals, has playing guitar and singing for five years now. Levi and Sarah competed in the Youth Showcase Act last year at the Blues Challenge in Memphis. Levi has been in school choir and musicals, and previously played bass in Animilia. Levi has been involved in the RME's Rock Camp and Winter Blues, and was a member of the Winter Blues All-stars. His musical influences include Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen.

Jim Drain, bass, is a senior at Moline High School. Jim has been playing the electric bass guitar and the double bass since fifth grade. Jim plays in the Moline High School Orchestra, jazz band, and pep band. Jim's activities outside of school include the River Music Experience's Rock Camp and Winter Blues All-Stars, and he also plays for local group Culture Coup, which focuses on funk/rock/reggae. Jim's bass playing is influenced The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, reggae, and funk music.

Sarah Hanson, vocalist, developed an interest in all forms of vocal music as soon as she realized she could manipulate the sound of her voice. She began singing in school and has since performed in various locations throughout the Quad Cities. Levi, a classmate, encouraged her to attend a blues workshop at the River Music Experience, where she met Jim and Cooper and began a great adventure with the Winter Blues All-Stars. She has been singing the blues ever since. She is influenced by the vocal stylings of Etta James, Shemekia Copeland, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Cooper Schou, drummer, is a junior at Pleasant Valley High School where he is in the marching band, Wind Symphony, and two jazz bands. He has been playing drums for five years after starting on piano, and has been a part of both the RME's Rock Camp and Winter Blues programs, where he performed with the Winter Blues All-Stars for two years. Cooper has also been the drummer for the Sin City Orchestra for the past year and one-half. His influences include Snarky Puppy, Steve Gadd, and Buddy Rich.

Dan Peart (Solo/Duo)   5:45pm

Dan Peart, from Clinton Iowa, is a self-taught musician, a singer/songwriter who is a lifetime member of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and a two-time finalist in the Iowa Solo/Duo Blues Challenge. For more information about Dan Peart, visit www.danpeartmusic.com

Zach Harris Band (Band)  6:20pm

The Zach Harris Band is a blues-rock group from Davenport, Iowa, comprised of 4 members: Randy Leasman on bass, Nick Vazquez on keyboard, Jamie Hopkins on Drums, and Zach Harris on guitar and vocals. They have been together since early 2014. During that time they have developed their sound as a band, and worked hard to develop a reputation as a band that plays soulful blues with conviction. Their sound is heavily influenced by Chicago and Texas blues, as well as old school Mississippi Delta Blues. Each member of the band brings to the table his own unique skill set and influences.

Jamie Hopkins has been focused on drums and music since his first paying gig at 14 on his dad's borrowed drums. Logging over 27 years of live performance Jamie has been a member of the EZ Money Band, Crusin', The Andrew Landers Project, The Ernie Peniston Band (Iowa Blues Hall of Fame), the Curtis Hawkins Band (featuring Manuel Lopez III) and the Candymakers. He can be heard on 2013?s Keep Workin' the Blues (Curtis Hawkins Band) and 2014?s Rediculicious (Candymakers). A career highlight included accompanying the legendary Westbrook Singers at the 2014 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest. Jamie also works for Vintage Sound 93.1FM the largest radio signal in the market playing blues in rotation or by request.

Nick and Randy, both being members of The Candymakers, are no strangers to the Iowa Blues Challenge. The Candymakers participated and won the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge, eventually going on to reach the semi-finals in both the International Blues Challenge, and The Kings of Beale Street Competition. Since then The Candymakers have released two full length records, and played all throughout the Midwest. Nick got his start playing drums in 5th grade band. He moved onto guitar in high school and then began playing piano at age 20. His biggest influences are Dr. John and Billy Preston. Nick also received his B.A. In music from St. Ambrose University. Nick is also a piano teacher at River Music Experience in Davenport.

Zach first took an interest in music at a young age. The sounds of the electric guitar, namely when expressed by the hands of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, captured his attention. By saving money from odd jobs and chores, Zach purchased his first guitar at the age of 14. As a self-taught musician, he learned to hone his craft as a teenager by playing along with his favorite recordings. His influences range from BB, Albert and Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Derek Trucks, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Tomo Fujita, Greg Koch, Philip Sayce, Eric Gales, Sean Costello and Steve Gaines.

Myers Brothers (Solo/Duo) 7:05pm

The Myers Brothers are lifelong residents of Davenport, Iowa. They were born and raised on the Mississippi listening to good blues and performing at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and River Roots Live, Davenport, as well as multiple festivals, private parties and events.

Kellen Myers is the oldest brother, at 17 years old, a senior at Davenport Central High School where he is an honor student, in National Honor Society and Student Council. He has played the piano since age 2 and started composing his own music at a very young age, winning his first national composition contest at age 5. He has since won several state titles and honorable mentions as well as local composing awards. He has played piano, guitar, harmonica, bass, organ, percussion, and sings in addition to his composing. Kellen has been actively involved with high school music in choir, band, orchestra, show choir pit band, jazz band and recently won best jazz soloist at All State Jazz Band.  Kellen plans to study music and music composition at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL next fall.

Logan Myers is the younger of the brothers at age 14. He has played drums since age 3. He has been active in school music in choir and band and enjoys playing music with his brother. When he is not active in school or gigging, Logan travels and plays baseball for his high school and for the Quad Cities Hitmen Elite 14U. He had the opportunity to pitch at the Elite 32 in Disney World Orlando last summer and continues to work hard as a stand out on his teams.

The Myers Brothers are currently working on their next CD project- due to release in 2016.

Concreteslim & the Sidewalks (Band) 7:40pm

Concreteslim & the Sidewalks drive outside the lines of traditional blues with blues shaped by a lifetime of bumps and bruises into an original sound that draws traditional fans and younger audiences driven by the rhythm.

William Dale Rigsby became Concreteslim on a blues journey that ran coast to coast and then some before arriving back in his hometown in middle America on the Mississippi River. Slim has written and performed as long as he can remember, beginning in his Army years tending a Florida missile silo. The songwriter's folk and jazz bent drove a duo that performed for years in Tucson, Arizona, and later his solo act in southern California.

"My songs are days, weeks and chapters of my life, the ones where everything went right and the ones where everything went wrong."  "Bad Day," "Apologize" and "Two Holes" are some of the stories that Concreteslim transforms into songs that get listeners moving and thinking. Find the songs on Reverbnation, where 10,000 fans have pushed Slim to the top of the Reverbnation local charts.

Bassist Tim Rockstroh anchors the Sidewalks. "He believes in me and is willing to put in the extra work to present original music, not just covers. He's more than just a bass player. He drives the sound."  Drummer Danny Tapp became a Sidewalk member after a year of touring the west coast as part of a songwriting duo. Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, Tapp hooked up with Slim in 2014 and drove the band's latest live recordings from John Taylor's Ca' d'Zan studio.

Rowdy Rooster (Solo/Duo)  8:25pm

Guitarist, Songwriter and Performer Billylee Janey has been compared to such greats as Clapton, Beck, and Hendrix. Even though these guitar heroes have been an inspiration to him, Billylee's own soulful and passionate love for music clearly and creatively sets him apart, giving him his own unique style and personality. Billylee picked up his first guitar, a German Framus, at an early age. It was during the "British Invasion" that he was taking his first steps in another direction; a direction that would lead him down paths into the music that would shape his future - the blues, jazz and rock. Billylee recorded his first record in 1972 and another in 1973 which included "Pontiac Blues" by Sonny Boy Williamson.

In 1975 he recorded a full scale album titled  No Rest for the Wicked with his blues-rock trio, Truth 'N Janey. No Rest for the Wicked has achieved near cult status internationally, and has been recognized in the book by Martin Popoff,  The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal Volume I: The Seventies. Billylee Janey has played B B King's in Memphis, Buddy Guy's Legends during the Chicago Blues Fest and the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest. Billylee Janey has worked over 600 major shows in the US and Canada.

Other accomplishments: Head Flyman for David Copperfield, where Janey incorporated guitar stunts and tricks in his live show. He also worked the ABC Network's farm crisis with the Donahue Show and over 600 arena shows for jazz, blues and pop rock including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and George Thorogood. Janey was a part of production on the feature film Miles From Home starring Richard Gere. Janey played on stage with Buddy Guy, Little Ed and was the backing band for Bo Diddley shows in 2000. Today, Billylee continues to test the waters with his solo career and his newest release Tear It Down - on the Electric Mud label. While he is staying busy these days with performances, recordings and many a late night writing and composing, Billylee hasn't forgotten what this is all about for him. "I want to share with people what I feel in my heart, continue to give something new to the people who support live music and challenge myself."   Billylee has spent many years teaching guitar at West Music.

Freddy Jones has been playing blues harmonica since 1967. Musicians Freddy has played with include : Son Seals, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Sonny Rhodes, Eddie Kirkland, Johnny Rawls, Little Ed & Blues Imperials and Bo Diddley.

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, on Sunday, April 12. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. An $8 per person charge for MVBS members, or $10 per person for non-members will be taken at the door (application for membership will be available).

Bringing crowds to their feet at the hardest to please and sophisticated night clubs in the Midwest, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys play traditional blues, straight up with a big dose of passion. With smoking grooves, served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar, they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and the three Kings.

Born and raised on south side of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971, when he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. After a 15-year hitch in the Navy he moved to Milwaukee, where he began a long friendship and collaboration with Madison Slim, long-time harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers. Since 1990 he has opened for B.B King, Gatemouth Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Koko Taylor Band, Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Magic Slim, Elvin Bishop, Sugar Blue, Lonnie Brooks, William Clarke, Lefty Dizz and numerous others at festivals and at Buddy Guy's Legends.

The Reverend and Chain Smokin' Altar Boys were chosen as Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) awardees for best blues band in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008 and again in 2010.

Vocalist/music educator/composer Semenya McCord will perform her show "Classic Blues Connection" in Quad-City schools February 18-20 as part of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society's Blues in the Schools Artist-in-Residence program for Black History Month.

She will also perform two open-to-the-public shows:

• Wed. Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m.?CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport IA
• Wed. Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m.?River Music Experience, 2^nd & Main Streets, Davenport IA

Semenya's "Classic Blues Connection," with pianist Frank Wilkins, highlights important roots of American popular music from 1900 to 1935, featuring Classic Blues women Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday.  This is perfectly paired with Wilkins demonstrating early piano styles from boogie woogie to Scott Joplin's ragtime and Duke Ellington's jazz.?

Semenya McCord earned her degree in Music Education from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  Her popular musician father, the late Ken Henderson, was an early and significant influence on her desire to sing and touch people through music. At the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, she was turned on to the powerful traditions of gospel music with Horace C. Boyer and of jazz with master drummer Max Roach and reedman Archie Shepp.?

Semenya performed throughout New England for over 25 years, presenting programs and residencies featuring spirituals, blues, traditional and contemporary jazz for audiences of all ages through Young Audiences of Massachusetts, Inc., the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the New England Foundation for the Arts.?

Since 1982, she directed annual tributes to the life and "dream" of Martin Luther King, Jr., the music of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington, and community events that celebrate cultural diversity through the arts.? In 1988, she was awarded "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist" by the Boston Music Awards, and she received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Musical Excellence in 1990 from the city of Boston.

Semenya returned home to Galesburg, Illinois in 2003 to assist her mother;  she earned her Master's degree in Music at Northern Illinois University in 2006.  Semenya currently teaches Jazz Voice at Knox College and teaches General Music and directs student choirs at Lombard Middle School. ? She is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and the Music Educators National Conference.?

Pianist Frank Wilkins, a native of Milwaukee, moved to Boston in the early 1970s.  Wilkins has become known as a "jazzmatician"?a consummate music director and pianist among national and international venues and with vocalists, a multimedia producer/director, music composer, arranger and experienced private instructor?with  awards from The Artists' Foundation (Boston), Composition Fellowship (Berklee College of Music) and The Hank Jones Jazz Masters Award.  ?

Playing virtually every major jazz and blues venue throughout New England, Wilkins has shared a stage with Angela Bofill,  Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kevin Eubanks, Tiger Okoshi, and Archie Shepp, to name a few.  His career has included performances at the Newport Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and North Sea Jazz Festival;  and in West Africa , Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, and Mexico.?

Semenya McCord's residency is made possible by a major grant from the Riverboat Development Authority.  Thanks also to sponsors the River Music Experience, KALA Radio, and The Lodge.