The Chicago Sun Times calls vocalist Jimy Rogers "a bundle of dynamite." The Chicago Reader recently described him as the "sweaty soul-rock front man personified."
The Chicago Tribune chose Blue Road's CD Release party as one of their "10 Must-See Shows of the week.
Hambone's Top 5 Spins, Chicago Blues Guide "Fronting this funky, rockin' band is legendary Jimy Rogers, one of the finest vocal stylists and dynamic entertainers in Chicago."
Blue Road combines the traditions of Chicago Blues and Memphis Soul with a rockin' attitude and shakes it up into a new blend that is guaranteed to satisfy. Hot and sweaty vocals, searing guitar, cranking organ and pianos, with the "bomb squad" rhythm section holds it all down and keeps it funky.
Their sets can go from fast rockin' blues to soul and funk and when the jammin' starts, they can veer off into an improvised list of the History of Rock with a little Summer of Love and some MTV classics mixed in.
It's always a party when Blue Road hits the stage. High energy, audience involvement...the crowd stays glued to their spots for a Blue Road show. Part of the magic is created by the fun that the band is having on stage, which is contagious! These guys love to play music, and it shows.
Jimy Rogers' soulful vocals have long been an important trademark of the Chicago sound. Rogers founded his original band, the Mauds, in his teens. As the first of the blue-eyed soul bands in Chicago, their concert appearances attracted the attention of Major labels and they signed with Mercury Records. As the first white group to record at Chess Records, home to Muddy Waters and Willy Dixon, they paved the way for another up and coming white band, the Rolling Stones. Click HERE for more on Jimy's history with the Mauds.
Gary Gand is one of the top Chicago blues-rock guitar slingers, leader of long-standing blues jams around Chicago, and his virtuosity is the product of over 30 years on the Chicago music scene, both live and studio. Joan Gand plays classic Hammond B-3 Booker T-style organ and bluesy piano. This musical couple have played together since they were just out of high school, and can read each other's minds. They are the owners of Gand Music and Sound, one of Chicago's premiere music retailer, sound rental, and installation firms.
Bass and drums are covered by the "bomb squad," one of Chicago's most respected rhythm sections: R Kelly alumnus Joel Treadwell on drums/veteran Steve Nevets on bass and vocals. Special guests often include Graham Nelson with his soulfull harp and vocals, backup singers Veronica Stanford and Jocelyn Mallard, and sax man Scott Van Wagner.
Blue Road has recorded three CDs, appeared on Comcast Cable, and are regulars at Bill's Blues, Gabe's Backstage Lounge, Reggies Music Joint, Blue Bayou, the Abbey Pub, the Chicago Blues Festival, and on the Midwest Blues & Rock Festival summer circuit. Their music has been featured several times on Greg Easterling's "American Backroads" radio show and they recently performed live on Hambone's Blues Party radio show. Jimy Rogers was also included on the WGN radio show, the Secret History of Chicago Music. Jimy, Gary and Joan are all included in the new book, '"The Chicago Music Scene" by Dean Milano.
James "Skyy Dobro" Walker of Blues Blast online magazine and WKCC radio "Personally, I had better be using the cruise control because when listening to a CD like this one, I can’t control myself. Recorded live and sounding every bit like a party, Live at Gabe’s Backstage Lounge is a pure fun release by Blue Road, one of Chicago’s hardest working bands today. Joan and Gary Gand really shine...with stellar organ and guitar work. "
Instrumentation
Discography
The audio and videos on this page are recorded and mixed by Mickey Barendt, videos by Mark Tulloss and Joe McSheffrey. Blue Road logo by Larry Bowman, and website by Kiaterna Design Group.
Take a ride on the Blue Road....