Johnny’s Juke Joint

The recording of Johnny’s Juke Joint was encouraged by our continued success and worldwide rave reviews associated with the Jay Willie Blues Band’s two previous ZOHO releases, New York Minute (ZOHO Roots, 2013), and Rumblin’ and Slidin’ (ZOHO Roots, 2014). It is no secret to mention the huge influence Johnny Winter has exerted over our recordings in many ways. We are honored to have with us on this album his former band mate Bobby T Torello on drums and Jason Ricci who is featured on Johnny’s 2014 Grammy-winning CD Step Back. It was shocking and very sad to learn of Johnny Winter’s passing on July 16, 2014. During the pre-production of Johnny’s Juke Joint, there was some discussion of producing a tribute CD to the compositions of this late great blues legend. After further consideration, we realized that all of our music is in a sense a tribute to Johnny. As Johnny’s originality and individualism is unparalleled, a direct interpretation of his work in the style of a covers band would not do him justice. We did include one original JW track titled I Love Everybody from his 1969 studio album Second Winter. This is in my opinion one of the rawest examples of both Johnny’s powerful vocal ability and slide guitar mastery. Our individual approach to the originality of I Love Everybody was to include our new, featured vocalist Malorie Leogrande on this track. Malorie is also featured on four additional tracks including the 1965 Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs mega-hit Wooly Bully, Jimmy Reed’s You Got Me Dizzy, Lil’ Bob and the Lollipops’ Nobody But You, and the Jay Willie original Upside Of The Ground. Malorie offers a stunning, high-energy youthful approach, combined with the professionalism and experience you’d expect from a seasoned veteran. We are excited to include for the third consecutive release our featured artist Jason Ricci on harmonica. — Jay Willie.