PRESS RELEASE (April 27, 2019) ― The Mississippi Valley Blues Society is "Keeping the Blues Alive!" by bringing Top-notch Blues Bands to Quad Cities.
Returning to the Quad Cities by popular demand! Southern California Blues Band Orphan Jon and The Abandoned:
Date: Sunday, May 5
Time: 6PM
Location: Viking Club 1450 41st Street, Moline, IL
Tickets: $10.00 for Blues Society Members/$12.00 for Non-members
Orphan Jon and The Abandoned are Rip Cat Records recording artists based out of Southern California and a national touring Roots and Blues band. A 2018 Blues Blast Music Awards double nominee. Currently receiving airplay throughout the world on many Blues and Roots stations for their debut album "Abandoned No More" as well as high reviews for the album and live performances by several top Blues critics, promoters and venue owners. Orphan Jon And The Abandoned performs originals; with a few covers mixed in, all with passion, high energy and a tight sound unlike any other. http://www.orphanjon.com/ The American Roots and Blues band Orphan Jon and The Abandoned, is quickly becoming a go to band because of the high energy and passion they display while performing. It is the bands goal to captivate the audience from the first note struck until the last chord is played while entertaining them both musically and visually. Orphan Jon and The Abandoned simply put, is a very unique band. Unique in that they express themselves in such a way; that's so different, that many have said after seeing them perform live, they've never seen nor heard anyone like them before. And not only do they capture the traditional fans of the blues; which they so love and cherish, but also have been gaining more and more of a younger audience due to the Roots style of music they showcase everywhere they've been honored to play. They are a rare breed full of spirit and charisma, and they put on a show that is both energetic and captivating with a tight sound like no other. "A must see, a must hear band that is turning heads everywhere they perform." ― Al Factorman, Well-Respected Blues Enthusiast and Historian of Los Angeles, California
"From Southern California comes an original band that has a sound and style all its own... Jon's lyrics are from the colors of his heart (think Dylan, Guthrie)" ― Rip Cat Records
As a "Thank You" to our members and the Quad Cities for their continuing support, The Blues Society is offering a FREE LIVE BLUES SHOW featuring Blues Rock-It and The Shawn Pittman Band.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Time: 6PM
Location: Moline Viking Club 1450 41st Street, Moline, IL
Tickets: FREE Admission
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society wants to show its appreciation to all the Blues fans in the Quad Cities who have come to the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and our other shows throughout the year. We're doing that by giving the QC Blues fans a free show at the Moline Viking Club, 1450 41st Street, Moline, Illinois. The show will feature two terrific bands who will start playing at 6PM, Saturday evening, May 11.
The fun will start with Blues Rock-It. This is a local band that has been growing its fan-base for the last few years. Front-man Boogs Malone on vocals and guitar is helped by none other than the legendary "Detroit" Larry Davison on harmonica. Local Blues aficionados will also recognize and appreciate Jim VanHyfte on drums, Ian Farmer on bass, and Josh Green on keyboards and guitar.
Shawn Pittman will play 7:30 'til 10PM. Shawn has been playing guitar since he was 14 and has been getting better and better ever since then. He was heavily influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins and Muddy Waters, and while he lived in Dallas, he learned from Brian "Hashbrown" Calway, Sam Myers, Mike Morgan, Jim Suhler, Tutu Jones, and many others. He was playing with Susan Tedeschi in 1999 when she appeared on the Conan O'Brian Show. He's recorded twelve albums in his career, but we'll get to hear him live on this super Saturday night.
"Pittman is the rare artist who intuitively balances genuine creativity with a deep reverence for those who paved the way." ― Tom Hyslop Blues Review
"Shawn is a good student of music genres, an imaginative songwriter, and a passionate, expressive performer." ― John Bradley-bassist for Gary Clark Jr.
"Chops plus soul equals dynamite!" ― Jazz Times
"His blues would carry a deep and wide tone that could move from burning hot to icy cold in an instant" ― Glenn Burnsilver - Phoenix New Times
Although there will be no admission charge to this show, the River Bend Foodbank will be accepting donations. Blues fans are encouraged to donate what they can. Cash donations are encouraged because the Food Bank can purchase food much more efficiently than the rest of us.
JP Soars and The Red Hots
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 7PM
Location: Riverfront Grille, 4619 34th Street Court W, Rock Island, IL
Tickets: $10.00 for Blues Society Members/$12.00 for Non-members
On Tuesday, May 28, electric-blues fans in the Quad Cities will get a treat they've been longing for since September. That's the day JP Soars and The Red Hots return to the Quad Cities. When they played at Kavanaugh's on September 19, they left dropped-jaws all over the place. It's hard to describe the sound of a band with its roots deep in the Blues but influenced by Miles Davis and Black Sabbath. Some called it Psychedelic Blues.
Not every blues artist can create a cohesive sound in the genre by weaving in a diversity of other influences, but guitarist and vocalist JP Soars is obviously not just any blues artist. A 2009 winner of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, with his band The Red Hots (and the festival's Albert King Award winner as Best Guitarist to boot), the Arkansas-native toured extensively through the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe with metal bands after relocating to South Florida, and is one of the few guitarists also capable of adding nuances to his long-standing, Django Reinhardt-inspired "Gypsy-jazz" side-project.
Late May will be a good time to be close to either river so we're putting this show in the Riverfront Grille (formerly Martini's On The Rock), 4619 34th Street Ct W, Rock Island, Illinois. The music will start at 7PM and will only cost you $12.00 or $10.00 for MVBS members.
"He is without a doubt one of the most original guitarists of his generation" ― Fred Delforge, Zicazine Magazine/France
"He plays a head-spinning variety of styles. What sets him apart from most is that he plays them all well, while still managing to make the music his own. Full Moon Night in Memphis is blues of many flavors and subtleties. The music is well played by artists that are inspired and engaged, never failing to excite the listener. Treat your ears to this winning blues today." ― Barry Kerzner
