Friday Evening
Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers
On Friday night we will kick things off with the 2010 Boston Blues Challenge Champions and 2011 International Blues Championship semifinalists Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers. The band combines a traditional delta sound with modern Boston blues influences to create a sound they call Charles River Delta Blues. Erin's fantastic voice is backed by her own acoustic guitar picking, tight bass and guitar playing by Jim Countryman and Bob Nisi, and the wailing harmonica of Richard Rosenblatt. Drawing comparisons to Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Bonnie Raitt and Rory Block, critics across the country have praised Erin Harpe and even called her "blues magic." Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers are sure to get your weekend off to a fantastic start.
Read more about the band at www.erinharpe.com/.
Saturday Evening
Shawn Hershey and the Blues Bananas
Saturday night BluesShout welcomes Shawn Hershey and the Blues Bananas. Boston area dancers might be familiar with the Fried Bananas; the Blues Bananas are a retooled version of this band specifically assembled for BluesShout 2011. Principle members (and dancers) Shawn Hershey on trumpet and Josh Fialkoff on piano and vocals will be joined by local drummer and bassist Sergei Ioannisyan and Eric Heveron-Smith. The Blues Bananas will also feature special guest spots by dancers Alysondra Susman on vocals and Kevin Sihlanick on harmonica. Music by dancers for dancers, the Blues Bananas will keep you dancing all night with their unique blend of traditional jazz and blues.
Read more about the band at www.thefriedbananas.com.