Vacaville Represents at Sac IBC
Mick Martin’s Birthday Party
Northern California Blues Festival
Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival - 8/23/08
B.B. is still the King of the Blues
Kyle Rowland Rocks
Rarely do you see a youngster making his way up the blues ladder and know that a star is on the horizon. Not so in the case of Kyle Rowland. Kyle is a young blues harmonica phenomenon that is destined for the big time in this blues business without question. We had the pleasure of seeing Kyle perform again at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee over Memorial Day weekend as he was sitting in on all of Mick Martin and the Blues Rocker's shows. The blues girl and I caught three of these outings and were simply blown away at this young man's musical talent. Talk about skills!
Mick Martin discovered Kyle at the Jubilee four years ago at the ripe old age of ten as he was playing along on his harp during one of Mick's shows. Mick heard him and had him come up on stage to play along and was taken aback not just at his ability to play a harp like it's on fire but at his incredible timing. Four years later, after sitting in with several blues greats and being taken under Mick's wing, Kyle, at fourteen years old is an incredible talent and a performer with the stage skills of a seasoned professional. The combination of his natural ability and the guidance of Mick have paid off well, for sure. This young dude is absolutely unbelievable.
As I watched Kyle play with Mick and the Blues Rockers, I was impressed at how comfortable he is on the big stage, interacting with the band, fanning guitarists Obie Dee or Jimmy Pailer with his hat when they are doing solo work or dancing to the rhythm while waiting for his next run. He takes charge when it's his turn to play and his mastery of the blues harmonica is remarkable. Kyle is way beyond the typical suckin' and blowin' many harp players throw out, believe me. He played dueling harps with Mick on several occasions and I was spellbound by his natural talent and timing. If you know anything about blues harp players then you know Mick is one of the best and Kyle matched him note for note as they battled it out, working back and forth then combining for fast paced duets. It was fitting and nice to see him receive a roaring standing ovation from a very large and enthusiastic crowd after his encore performance Friday night on the big stage at the Firehouse lot.
If I had to pick one word to describe Kyle's performance it would be 'exciting'. Kyle is exciting to watch, his harp skills are unbelievable and it's easy to see that he is having fun. He is obviously enjoying every minute of this well deserved but incredible ride. It is refreshing to see someone this young stepping up to take a place at the blues table and to know that the next generation of northern California blues talent is in very good hands.
"Keep your eyes and ears open, the Blues are alive in northern California!"
Mr. December at Constable Jack's - 5/9/08
Cole Fonseca at the Torch Club - 3/28/08
Blues Blowout at Cache Creek - 2/1/08
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