Post by cofi on Apr 15, 2008 16:39:13 GMT
James Reeser & His Hot Blues Quartet
About James Reeser & His Hot Blues Quartet
also known as James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers
With great enthusiasm and over 20 years of stage experience James Reeser keeps audiences alive and asking for more. Keeping focused on traditional, electric, Chicago-style blues has always been his musical goal. He tries hard to keep himself surrounded by the best musicians possible both on stage and in the studio.
Having started out as a lead guitarist, James went on to become a master of the "fat-toned harp" sound and is exceptionally adept at playing chromatic harps. He has also honed his skills in the lead vocal category by performing many gigs around the US.
James has played Blues clubs coast to coast in the US and also has played in Europe. Currently James and His Hot Blues Quartet perform primarily in the Midwest area.
James got started playing the Blues in the early 80’s while living in New England. Living very close to many Blues based clubs he spent much time there developing a love for the music.
James and his Bass player, Scott “Buck” Robinson have been together for more than 17 years.
On occasion, James is fortunate enough to have a second guitar player, Pat Hansen, and or Hammond B3 player, Paul Hauschild with the band. Their talent is such that they only add to the already great lineup of the James Reeser band.
James has mastered the "fat-toned harp" sound. He uses Victoria amplifiers exclusively along with Astatic microphones.
The band, at this writing, is working on a CD. Please check back from time to time to see when it will be released. We will be having a CD release party and we will be making it available on this site. You can check out and dowload some older demo songs on the downloads page and I have live cuts at my myspace page,
James talks about the band
We are a jumpin' swingin' fun Blues band. We come out of the box swingin'. No build up just cranking from the start. But that does not mean we are loud and in your face. We play the rooms at volumes as necessary, we just have a high energy level.
We mainly play in the Great Lakes region mostly around West Michigan but I (James Reeser) play all over the country from time to time and with many other Blues bands as well.
As far as the harp gear I use goes, these days it's all Victoria amps for me. I have 3 of them, two 45410's and a 35210. I have owned and or used many amps and for me Victoria is my Holy Grail of harp amps. I do have a HarpKing (Number 12 off the production line) and it's OK. It has plenty of power 100-watts, enough so as to keep up with any loud wanker dude on guitar. As for now the HarpKing has been shelved but I will hang on to it, don't ask it aint for sale. It just doesn't quite do it for me. I sold off all my old Fender amps (and I had a pile of em) save for the tweed 57 Champ.
I use mainly Astatic JT30 mics, some new some old. They have no special electronics inside em, just plain stock as in my opinion it's a waste to add anything to the mic, the tone mostly comes from using a good amp. I do install a hidden push button on off switch where the stand threads are. I hate volume knobs on harp mics, on or off is all you need. I sill use some mics that are all stock with no switches. I used to have a pile of Shure Green Bullet style mics. I still have one I occasionally use, it has a brushed chrome finish. I sold most of the Shures off as I'm not a collector of gear. I buy and keep what I will use.
I do use some stomp boxes. Mostly an old Boss digital delay that I have had since like 1985 or so. I also occasionally use a Danelectro Rocky Road spinning speaker for a simulated Leslie effect. It a really kewl pedal but it needs a mod right out of the box as it has a gain boost when you tap it on and gain boost is a big no no for harp. The mod is simple to do.
For info on what harps I use click on my blog and feel free to add your 2 cents worth.
Band Members
Buck (Sweet Pea) Robinson
Buck slaps a backbeat all night on his upright bass. He is the last remaining member of James' original line-up. Sharing the stage with James for over 16 years.
Pete Muszkiewcz
Pete has been with me on drums since 2003 and he is incredibly lively and fun to watch.
Paul Hauschild
On the Hammond B3
Troy Amaro
Troy Amaro has played music for the last 20 years in various stints with both Blues and Jazz groups. With the music of Little Walter being (and still) the reason Troy was drawn to the Blues, he continues to be influenced by both past and modern players who’s main focus is to maintain the real, original, raw, authentic Blues he loves. Troy considers a player’s sound and tone to be just as important as his musical ability and therefore uses only guitars and amps (Victoria Amps, Don Mare pickups) that replicate the 1940’s and 1950’s sounds from the golden era of Blues. Current and past musical and tone influences include, Pee Wee Crayton, T-Bone Walker, Willie Johnson, Luther Tucker, Hollywood Fats, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson and many others.
Other guitar players that were with us or have helped us out in the past:
Pat Hansen
Matt Young
Pete Bullard
T-Bird Huck
Doug Deming
Harry Oman
Mondo Cortez
Nick Moss
David John
Roy Cashman (Cadillac Slim)
If you want to hear some of James Reeser cool music, he has three tracks on they're myspace page, "Kick'n You Out" "I Got To Go" and "Opener In C" or have a listen to some downloads on they're web site
MySpace URL:
www.myspace.com/jamesreeser
Band Website
jamesreeser.com/
A video of the band on you-tube
James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers
Recorded live at Billy's Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan November 30th 2007
