March 2007

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Europe Tour 2007

Text: Tano Ro and FS

The Ford Blues Band
Avaiable from
25 of june until 22 of july 2007

Exclusively represented in Europe by Feelin'Good Productions

Patrick Ford: Producer, Drums, and Vocals

Patrick Ford established himself on the blues scene in the early seventies. Ford had just left a band where he played with his brother Robben to join Charlie Musselwhite. Only a year later the Charles Ford Band was established by all three Ford brothers, Patrick, Robben, and Mark.

Naming the band after their father Charles, was the brothers way of honoring him. The Charles Ford Band were ground breakers in blues, simply one of the most influential West Coast blues bands of that era. This band has also enjoyed significant record sales to date and a loyal cult following. Following the breakup of the CFB Patrick spent years on the road with the likes of Charlie Musselwhite, Fenton Robinson, Luther Tucker, Brownie McGhee, and Lowell Fulson.
After years working as a sideman to many blues greats Patrick decided in 1988 to form a band to record many of his own ideas. With his brother Mark, Garth Webber, and Ron Gurwitz he went into the studio and recorded the first Ford Blues Band release. Mark was not available for touring so he was replaced with Andy Just who has remained in the band since.
Over the years there have been several guitar and bass changes in the band but the Ford stamp of originality remains consistent and there is no doubt who is in charge here.
As a drummer, song writer, and arranger for the band Patrick is top-notch, investing in his tunes novel yet contemporary interpretations. He also ignites a brilliant foundation for the band to build on. Foresight and imagination along with a real understanding of the blues idiom are what make Patrick Ford and in turn the Ford Blues Band, truly unique. Patrick’s recording credits exemplify his range and his credibility in the modern blues genre. He is found on recordings with Brownie McGhee, Jimmy Witherspoon, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, The Charles Ford Band, John Lee Hooker, Robben Ford, Chris Cain, Lowell Fulson, and many others.

As a blues producer Patrick has produced some classic recordings by artists from Europe as well as the USA. Though he has produced many sessions for other labels such as Charlie Musselwhite’s ACE OF HARPS for Alligator, and all of the Chris Cain releases for Blind Pig, it is the work he does for his own Blue Rock’It Records that brings him the greatest satisfaction. As Patrick himself said it, “Being in the studio producing my brothers, friends like Chris Cain, and the likes of Brownie McGhee, Lowell Fulson, John Lee Hooker, Luther Tucker, and Charlie Musselwhite, all for my own record company, has been as much joy as a person has a right to ask for.” The last releases by the FBB have included three of Patrick's favorite projects. Two studio projects and one live CD done in honor of Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield. Patrick says they were the inspiration for all the Ford brothers have achieved and this was his thank you. Reviews of the releases have been spectacular.

Andy Just: Harmonica and Vocals

Playing the Harp and singing lead vocals is one of the hardest working musicians on the blues scene, Andy Just. Andy’s formative musical years were the seventies when he became hooked by the then thriving Bay Area blues scene. Along with artists like Bloomfield, Bishop, and Musselwhite who had moved to the San Francisco area also came the Charles Ford Band featuring the three Ford brothers.
The young Just and good friend Chris Cain were so impacted by all they were hearing that they formed a blues band together and began to make their own impact. Andy fronted his own band through most of the eighties and did considerable sideman work with artists like Fenton Robinson, Luther Tucker, John Lee Hooker, Larry Williams, and Lowell Fulson.
Then in 1989 he replaced Mark Ford in the Ford Blues Band and though he continues to do work on his own projects he has remained the solid “front man” for the FBB since.
His recording credits include five Lp/CD releases of his own as well as manyother recordings with artists such as Chris Cain, Luther Tucker, and Lowell Fulson. Andy can also be heard on many TV commercials and movie soundtracks. Without a doubt, Andy is the most powerful harp player to come along since James Cotton, and while he can emulate Sonny Boy Williamson one minute and Charlie Parker the next the fact is that Andy Just is an original, an innovator, and enthralling to catch live or on disk.

Volker Strifler: Guitar and Vocals

The other front man in the Ford Blues Band is Volker Strifler, an electrifying and dynamic player who moved to the US from Germany in the mid eighties to get closer to the blues roots and to further develop his own blues style.
He is the newest add to the FBB having joined in early 1997. His soulful singing (he shares in the lead vocal burden) and his understanding of both the traditional blues styles of artists like Robert Lockwood and the modern blues approach of someone like Robben Ford make him the perfect man for the the band.
In 1996 Volker recorded his first solo release titled “Full Moon” and in 2002 released his “the Volker Strifler Blues Band” CD which received great reviews. It is compiled of mostly originals and showcases his talents as a player, singer, songwriter. Though he is still relatively an unknown on the blues scene, that will soon change. After doing a concert where the FBB supported Lowell Fulson, Lowell said of Volker, “Man he can really play that box. Where did he come from?” In a review of the FBB cd “1999,” Volker is referred to as the bands “secret weapon.” Since joining the band Volker has worked as a sideman with the likes of Lowell Fulson, Robben Ford, Mark Ford, Chris Cain, and others. In every situation he is watching, listening, and learning. Always adding to his own knowledge of the blues idiom.
On the bands “Tribute To Paul Butterfield” and "In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield" CD's Volker shares the guitar chores with Robben Ford and holds his own quite comfortably. After the recording of that CD Robben said of Volker, “He is about my favorite guitar player right now.”

Dewayne Pate: Bass and Vocals

A graduate of the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Dewayne spent much of his time there working with premier musicians such as Steve Lukather and Sneaky Pete Kleinow. Upon moving to the Bay Area Dewayne began working with artists like Linda Tillery, Cornelius Bumpus, Bonnie Hayes, and salsa legend Pete Escovedo. He was soon pulled towards the vital modern blues sounds of Garth Webber and through Garth began working with Mark and Patrick Ford on recording projects and eventually in bands.
Patrick first played with Dewayne when the both did a 1993 tour as the rhythm section for Garth Webber & Mark Ford. Following the tour Dewayne was asked to join the Ford Blues Band and he has filled the bass roll since. Dewayne’s sideman credits include time in the studio and/or on the stage with Charlie Musslewhite, Robben Ford, Chris Cain, Michael Osborn, Lowell Fulson, Maria Muldaur, Webber & Ford, Jimmy Thackery, Sister Monica, and many others. Along with his skills as a studio and stage musician, Dewayne is also the creator of the critically acclaimed instructional video, “The Art Of Tapping” which teaches a particular style of single note playing.

>>>>> Tano Ro and FS

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