Happy New Year!

We wish you and yours a happy, healthy and successful 2010.

The New Year also celebrates Blues on Blake Supper Club's one year anniversary. Thank you for your patronage and support.

We appreciate all compliments and critics! We take all comments seriously, and we strive to provide the best dining, drinking, and entertainment experience possible.

You have spoken and we have listened.
Our New Year's resolution is to improve on our first year and to be the best supper club in Denver.

To address your comments we will be assessing and 'retooling' (where necessary) every facet of Blues on Blake Supper Club from Friday, January 1st until Friday, January 15th. During this time we will be closed to ensure our 2010 provides our customers, staff, and artists the best experience possible.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Please email us on info@bluesonblake.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns and we will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner.


The mission of the Blues on Blake Supper Club is to offer quality live music, in tandem with outstanding Southern inspired cuisine, in a comfortable and exciting environment, comprehensive and exceptional in its attention to detail, that will meet the dining and entertainment requirements of our customers, by:

• Providing consistent and impeccable service that demonstrates warmth, graciousness, efficiency, knowledge, pride, professionalism and integrity, and impresses our guests so they look forward to repeating their experience(s);
• Offering a wide variety of solid quality musical talent and good positive energy;
• Presenting our guests with the finest quality food, excellent wines, amazing drinks, all at a reasonable price;
• Maintaining clean, comfortable, and well-maintained premises;
• Treating our guests and staff with respect and dignity;
• Being recognized as a member of the LoDo community that works to improve the quality of life in the City of Denver, as well as,
• Assuring a friendly, respectful, cooperative and rewarding environment for personnel that promotes satisfying, long-term, growth employment.

December 11 - BOBSC is proud to present Grammy Nominee Randy Mcallister

Randy McAllister is one of the premier singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist to emerge from Texas. Heartbreak, humor, high hair and tall Texas tales all play a part in the song writing of Randy McAllister. His music has been hailed as some of the most original and innovative being made today. While comparison's are not easy, it has been said that his music is a cross between Doug Sahm, John Hiatt and Delbert McClinton, with a blues man's background and sensibilities thrown into the mix.

Raised in the small Texas town of Novice, McAllister is a fifth-generation Texan, whose father was both a fireman and musician. His father was a drummer in a band called "The Flames". At a very young age, Randy followed in his fathers foots steps. He began to take up drumming, but the drums were just the beginning for Randy, as he began to develop as a singer and songwriter.

"If Mark Twain had envisioned a 21st century roots musician, he might have created a character like Randy McAllister, with an easy-going persona and a wry, and an observant wit. McAllister weaves material in the singer/songwriter tradition, with nods to a variety of styles. He is one of those rare artists who is able to meld genres such as gospel, blues, country, Tex-Mex, rock and zydeco together and come away with something that is uniquely him.

**In performance, his songs combine an uncontainable energy and intensity with lyrics that dig into the tough topics. From urban violence, homelessness and other harsh realities to more common concerns like love and dating, McAllister's songwriting approach is particularly skillful, able to be both truthful and funny. McAllister takes universal feelings and translates them into today's reality, with his own pointed style expressed through his distinctive, soulful voice."

McAllister has released 7 critically praised albums beginning with his debut "Diggin' for Sofa Change", followed by "Grease, Grit, Dirt and Spit", the much heralded "Double Rectified Bust Head", 2002 GRAMMY NOMINEE "Givers and Takers", "Temporary Fixes" and A "Little Left of Center" all built on a firm foundation that is his songwriting. His much anticipated Compilation CD, "Flying High While Staying Low Down" was released in late 2006. Most recently Randy released, "Dope Slap Soup" in June of 2007.

December 10 - Special Event: 7pm John Németh

John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas. Performing major music festivals around the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia has brought him critical acclaim.

ohn's origins are an unlikely breeding ground for such an impressive blues talent. A thirty year old native of Boise, Idaho, he grew up singing in a Catholic church and started playing in local bands as a teenager.

Németh was a featured artist with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets in 2005 and 2006 as well as a featured artist with The Junior Watson Band in 2002. The Cascade Blues Association selected Németh as a crowd favorite at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival in 2002, and the Washington Blues Society called him the show stealer at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival in 2003. Greg Johnson of Blues Notes writes, "John Németh possesses rich harmonica tone that easily brings to mind Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter."

John recorded "Come And Get It" with the Junior Watson Band in 2004. The album received rave reviews and scored well on the independent blues radio charts. When John signed a multi-record recording agreement with Blind Pig Records in 2006, label head Jerry Del Giudice expressed "how impressed I was with John's performance the one time I got the chance to see him. In our nearly 30 years in the business we have never before offered a new artist a recording contract on the strength of one performance."

The buzz around John Németh is substantial, and his Blind Pig debut, "Magic Touch," delivers the goods in spades. From the opening track, an ambitious and fully realized reworking of Junior Wells' classic "Blues Hit Big Town," John's emotive, smooth voice and stellar harp playing introduce a virtuoso of rare depth and power. John's uncanny blend of retro-modern blues and soul music will delight purists and young hipsters alike. Produced by Anson Funderburgh and featuring Junior Watson on guitar, "Magic Touch" is destined to be one of the most remarked upon releases of 2007.


Quotes
"Classic soul and R&B styles have been revitalized in recent years by a cadre of young and relatively young artists such as James Hunter, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, and Sharon Jones. You can include John Németh on any list of the best of them."
Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb 2009

"You could swear he was freeze-dried in the 1960s, as the music has a driving, rock-'n'-soul punch that makes him seem spiritual kin to long-gone stompers Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson."
Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News, Feb 2009

"I remember telling friends up North in '80 that they should go see Stevie Ray Vaughan, but they weren't impressed because he wasn't famous yet. It will give me great pleasure to say, "I told you so!" about John Németh. You'll see."
Bob Margolin, Blues Revue Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005

"Definitely one of the best club shows that I've ever seen. John Németh is simply the Blues artist that I feel is most deserving of more recognition. Check the man and his band out whenever you might get the chance."
Don "T-Bone" Erickson, BluesWax, 2004

November 20 - Special Event: 8pm Samuel James

“Samuel James is like a time machine – the same one that keeps Son House and Mississippi John Hurt traveling back to the public consciousness” – Portland Phoenix

Samuel James is a performer of stunningly singular talent. A master of fingerstyle, slide, banjo, harmonica, and piano, this phenom is not yet out of his twenties. With musical influences ranging from Skip James and Sonny Terry to Gus Cannon and Charley Patton, such understanding of pre-war blues is rarely embodied in the music of one person.

But Samuel James is not a revivalist. His songwriting is absolutely unparalleled in contemporary blues. His writing is descended from the long forgotten art of the songster. While musically one could compare him to Patton or Cannon, his writing goes in another direction entirely. His songs are often written as linear stories, novels in musical format: O. Henry meets Mose Allison.

James’ musical lineage stretches back to immediate post-slavery. His grandfather (b. 1890) played guitar in contemporary blues styles of the era. James’ father was a professional pianist, and trombone player. Samuel learned to tap dance at five, learned piano at eight and toured the Northeastern circuit professionally by 12. Samuel lost his mother the same year and spent his teens in foster homes. At 17 he reunited and rekindled a relationship with his father.

Samuel James fully discovered his musicianship after a young woman broke his heart. He booked a flight to Ireland figuring the gray and rainy climate would match his mindset. Short of funds to make it home, he learned harmonica from local street musicians. Collecting enough change to make it back to Maine, he gave up a nascent painting career and dove head first into the guitar. Today, still in his 20s, James releases his third CD entitled For Rosa, Maeve, and Noreen. This is Samuel James’ third album and second for the NorthernBlues label. It is produced by David Travers-Smith whose credits include Ani DiFranco, Harry Manx and Russell Crowe.

Both live and recorded Samuel James cherishes “the intimacy of one man screaming his heart out…a conversation between him and his audience as opposed to between band members. When I think of the best, most intimate forms of entertainment—maybe a flamenco guitar player, or a stand-up comedian, spoken word—it's one individual. There's a power there. You can't listen to Son House or Skip James and tell me that an electric ZZ Top can touch that." Based on consistent standing ovations, Samuel James clearly knows entertaining.

The recording reflects Samuel’s live performances as much as one can, but more importantly it showcases why Samuel James doesn’t consider himself a bluesman per se, but a songster and storyteller within a style of music. James is a hardworking individual steeped in the traditions of his elders and has created his own voice that speaks with clarity and pathos to a contemporary audience.

Live, Samuel James includes some older material in his set, and when playing a song created by a previous blues master he truly makes it his own. His stamp of originality is evident in every song he picks. Clearly the historical torch is being passed to him from today’s elder masters and yesterday’s originators. Does that make him authentic? Let the listener decide if that is even the question. Samuel James is the most relevant young blues artist to come our way in quite some time.

Samuel explains “Pre-war blues is much more intimate for me . . . much like a conversation. I’m not really drawn to anything contemporary because it’s not nearly as engaging.” Based on consistent standing ovations, Samuel James clearly knows engaging.

November 5 - Special Event: 8pm Erin Jo Harris

Erin Jo Harris is a lover, a fighter and an artist who has been blessed by God with a passion for music, life, and shining a light on truth.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she spent her formative years cultivating a deep appreciation for the pure spirit of wilderness and the lively culture of the city.

Erin then went on to attend and graduate from university in THE city at NYU, where she lived for six years (East Village what WHAT!), became known as E-Jo, and met many great artists who remain her friends and collaborators today.

She spent 9 months in Costa Rica, learned how to surf and made her first demo after 20 years of singing!

Erin moved back to Denver in June of 2008 and has been doing the music thang full time, performing with bands like Funkiphino, The Springdale Quartet and her own solo project. Find her here on MySpace, as well as Facebook and Twitter as "Erin Jo Harris".

Miss Harris strives to serve God with her gifts, speak truth, and bring love, beauty and freedom to humanity through Him!

...and she hopes you love her music.

Introducing World Citizen Wednesdays and Real Live Reggae Thursdays

We are excited to announce World Citizen Wednesdays and Real Live Reggae Thursdays.

World Citizen Wednesdays celebrates international music right here in Denver. Check www.bluesonblake.com for events, artists, and details. The evening is hosted by the internationally renowned Brian " The Lion" Handlos.

Ras Tessema hosts Real Live Reggae Thursdays, bringing the island sounds to Denver for a weekly night of reggae, island food, and drink specials. Check www.bluesonblake.com for more details.

See you there

October 31 - Special Event: 8pm Sammy Mayfield

Sam Mayfield’s long and rich musical history during which the multi-talented guitarist/ singer/ songwriter has performed with many great blues luminaries as Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton. Blues Veteran Sam Mayfield started playing the blues early in the 1960’s. The history of Sam Mayfield spans more than three decades as the Musical Director for the “ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Soul Legend “ Solomon Burke

Sam Mayfield enjoyed success with his classic hit, “ The Happy Birthday Song” from The Blues By The Bushel CD . Now living in Denver, Colorado Mayfield is touring with his seven piece band and special guest Vocalist Ed Wingfield, This is one show you don’t want to miss, music from classic blues to soulful rhythm and blues . Look for Sam Mayfield’s soon to be released CD “ A Big Wolf Knockin”.