Schedule

Taylor Newville is a Pacific Northwest blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose musical journey began in Portland, Oregon, at age six. After starting on ukulele, she developed her craft on acoustic and electric guitar through programs including Ethos, School of Rock, and Rock & Roll Camp for Girls. Now fronting Taylor Newville and the Riders, she has become a rising force in the regional blues scene. The band has performed at major festivals including the Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival, and Peninsula Blues Festival, and represented the Pacific Northwest at the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Newville has received multiple Muddy Award nominations, including Best New Artist, Contemporary Blues Act, Performance of the Year, and Best Northwest Recording for her 2025 EP Find My Way. Her original music is available on major streaming platforms.

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Since forming his first band in 2014, Joel Astley has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most decorated blues musicians, earning 23 Washington Blues Society "Best of the Blues" Awards in just seven years. A harmonica player, singer, and songwriter, he has risen rapidly on the international blues scene, joining Lee Oskar Harmonicas as a featured artist and releasing his debut album Seattle to Greaseland on Blue Heart Records in 2023. The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart and earned worldwide acclaim, including a Global Music Award and recognition in the International Songwriting Competition. Joel continues to tour, record, and play local venues while working on his next release. A former visual artist, his paintings and designs—including album covers for Quique Gomez and Little Charlie—remain in demand, reflecting the creativity and soul that define his music.

Nick Mardon is a Seattle-based guitarist, vocalist, producer, and educator known for his versatility and dynamic live performances. A Snoqualmie Valley native, he fronts the Nick Mardon Trio and performs throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Influenced by blues, rock, and alternative music, Nick also works at Emerald City Guitars, produces recordings for local artists, and teaches privately. Whether onstage or in the studio, he is recognized for his musicianship and professionalism.

Nikhil Bagga is a Seattle-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose blues- and rock-infused sound has earned him performances on major stages across North America and beyond. A YoungArts Award winner and Berklee Aspire alumnus, he has shared stages with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic and recorded his debut album Leap of Faith at Seattle's London Bridge Studio. Despite his young age, Bagga is quickly establishing himself as one of the Pacific Northwest's most exciting emerging artists.

Mark Riley is an award-winning vocalist, guitarist, and bandleader known for his powerful blend of blues, soul, R&B, and funk. A Nova Scotia native, he fronts the Mark Riley Project and PM Blues and has performed at the TD Halifax Jazz Festival, ECMA Showcase, and festivals throughout Atlantic Canada. With three albums to his credit, Mark delivers high-energy performances rooted in deep soul, heartfelt blues, and decades of stage experience.

Paul Green is an award-winning blues harmonica player and vocalist whose career spans more than five decades. He has performed with blues legends including Junior Wells, Sugar Blue, Lowell Fulson, Sonny Rhodes, and Pee Wee Crayton, and at iconic clubs from Oakland to Chicago. A Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame inductee and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Paul is renowned for his soulful playing, powerful vocals, and enduring contributions to the blues.

Formed in 2017, Octopus Ballet brings together longtime Northwest blues artists Sheryl Clark (saxophones, flute) and Leanne Trevalyan (vocals, guitar), joined by percussionist Chad Russell. The trio blends acoustic rock, jazz, blues, and folk into a soulful sound marked by Leanne's crystalline vocals and fingerstyle guitar, Sheryl's rich horn textures, and Chad's dynamic rhythms on djembe, cajon, and more. Their name pays homage to the Giant Pacific Octopus of Puget Sound while also reflecting the group's graceful, feminine energy. Known for heartfelt performances and strong chemistry, Octopus Ballet delivers music that touches the heart and moves the soul.

Formed out of the need to further expose the Chicago Blues and Funk sound to the South Sound, The Cold 102's are poised to cut down any who dare to contend. Cold 102's features Leonard Daniel: drums, Johnny Horn: bass, Curtis Smith: guitar, Anthony Duron Estrada (Leader): guitar, harmonica, vocals.

Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely, an eclectic blues duo, at times acoustic, always electric. Randy has spent much of his life guitar slingin' on the road blending soul, rock, New Orleans rhythm and delta blues with dynamic vocals, living by the credo: "If there's no feeling, you're just wasting your breath". Randy also spent 10 years in LA doing sessions and sideman work. Taking his vast repertoire north, he joined Jeff in fronting a popular Seattle area blues band at the turn of the century. Jeff is well traveled with his harmonicas, playing everything from loose pickin’ parties to tight funk ‘n soul shows, forever capturing the true rhythm and soul of the blues.

Seattle blues luminaries Chris Stevens and Jack Cook combine decades of regional heritage and genre mastery in their duo performances. Chris Stevens, a Seattle native, launched his blues path in the mid-1970s, infusing his shows with fluid guitar style, rich vocals, and inventive "blues-on-the-edge-of-jazz" originals—drawing comparisons to icons like B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, and Duke Robillard. Meanwhile, Jack Cook leads the Phantoms of Soul and is a revered local blues historian whose encyclopedic knowledge and authentic playing make him a favorite wherever he appears. Together, they offer dynamic interplay—melding Stevens's blazing chops with Cook's deep-rooted expressiveness—for performances that honor Northwest blues tradition with vibrant, soulful chemistry.

Sammy Eubanks is one of the Northwest's premier blues vocalists and guitarists, celebrated for his soulful voice and commanding stage presence. A co-founder of the Inland Empire Blues Society, Sammy has shared the stage with artists including B.B. King, Robert Cray, Lee Roy Parnell, and James Harman. A 12-time Washington blues "Best Male Vocalist" winner, he and his band were runners-up at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis after reaching the semifinals in 2013. Blending blues, country, and rock with authenticity and heart, Sammy delivers unforgettable performances across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Joining him are Zach Cooper (drums, vocals), Eric Lindstrom (bass), Steve Lime (keyboards), and Michael Lenke (trumpet)—a powerhouse band that brings energy, groove, and world-class musicianship to every stage.

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Seattle bluesmen Kevin Sutton (vocals, guitar) and Jonathan Pittman (harmonica) bring a stripped-down, soulful energy to the stage, drawing on deep roots in traditional and contemporary blues. Sutton, known for his fiery guitar work and powerful vocals, has long been a staple of the Northwest scene, while Pittman's expressive harmonica playing adds grit and heart to the duo's sound. Together they deliver an engaging mix of raw Delta blues, Chicago grooves, and original songs that showcase their chemistry and love of the music.

Veteran of the Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Seattle blues scenes, Eric Madis' music has appeared on film, television, daily airplay at SeaTac Airport and five solo CDs. He's worked with Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, Robben Ford, Deacon Jones, Hawkeye Herman and Seattle artists Blue Madness, Bluescast, Steve Bailey, Grant Dermody, Paul Green, Little Bill Englehart, Mark Dufresne, Mike Lynch and John Hodgkin. Eric has received 26 Best Blues nominations from Washington Blues Society, and has taught electric, acoustic and bottleneck blues guitar for National Guitar Workshop, Canada's Guitar Workshop Plus, UW Experimental College, Northwest Folklife and Jamplay.com, with whom he has 140 online instructional videos.

The Moonlight & Wildfire Duo brings a soulful blend of blues, roots, and Americana to the stage, featuring rich vocals, heartfelt guitar work, and tight harmonies. Based in the Seattle area, the duo draws on classic blues traditions while weaving in folk and contemporary influences, creating performances that are both intimate and powerful. With a mix of original songs and fresh takes on timeless standards, Moonlight & Wildfire deliver music that resonates with authenticity and emotion.

The Joe Cook Blues Band is a smokin' regional blues act based in Seattle WA. Since 2015 the band has been winning blues awards and creating a fan base on the west coast. Joe Cook is an award-winning blues harmonica, vocalist and songwriter from Minneapolis MN. Guitarist Tim "Stoop Down" Sherman is a NW blues legend with over 4 decades of award-winning bands and performances. Conrad Ormsby is an in-demand blues drummer from Los Angeles, CA and Patty the Mighty Mite kicks the bass in gear. The band performs high energy Chicago, Texas and west coast blues originals.

Awards: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 Washington Blues Society BB Award for Best Traditional Blues Act; 2025 Washington Blues Society BB Award for Best Blues Band; 1991, 2002, 2006 Tim "Stoop Down" Sherman, Washington Blues Society Best Electric Blues Guitarist

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Rafael Tranquilino is known locally in the Seattle area as the lead front man and guitarist of his band, The Rafael Tranquilino Band. A power trio consisting of guitar, bass and drums that fuse rock, blues and funk with an alternative and fresh sound. He'll play a searing riff, tease you with an old-fashioned Delta slide and then bring you back down with his powerful lyrics. Rafael's exciting style and notable chops have earned him the reputation of being one of the "hottest" young guitar slingers in the Pacific Northwest and his band was noted as "Best Blues Band of 2012" in the Tacoma Weekly.

Elnah Jordan is a powerhouse vocalist whose soulful blend of blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B has captivated audiences for decades. A Jazz Vocalist of the Year nominee, she earned acclaim for portraying Bessie Smith in Jon Hendricks's The Evolution of the Blues and has shared the stage with Gil Scott-Heron and Bobby "Blue" Bland. Now a beloved fixture in the Pacific Northwest, Elnah performs with pianist Eric Verlinde, delivering heartfelt, soul-filled performances that honor the rich traditions of American blues while making every show uniquely her own.

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Formed in 2000, The John Stephan Band has long been a staple of the Northwest blues scene, performing original music at top venues including Bumbershoot, The Triple Door, and the North Bend Blues Walk. Led by Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame inductee John Stephan—recognized for his work with the Isaac Scott Band—the group has released five albums, most recently Talking Out Loud (2024), a groove-driven set blending blues, funk, and thoughtful storytelling. The current lineup features John on slide guitar and vocals, Billy Reed (2023 WBS "Best Blues Keyboardist"), Zak Stoldt on drums, and Walter White on bass. In 2025, John won WBS "Best Songwriter," while Talking Out Loud was nominated for "Best Washington Blues Recording."

A Seattle blues institution since the 1980s, Stevie and the Blue Flames are known for their high-energy performances, outstanding songwriting, and world-class musicianship. Blending original songs with carefully chosen blues classics, the band delivers swinging shuffles, funky grooves, and dance-worthy blues. They have toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Israel, and South America, and released more than 10 albums. The band has earned numerous Washington Blues Society honors, including Best Band, Best Harmonica, and Hall of Fame. In 2025, bandleader Steve Bailey received the Society's Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards.

Darneshia “Dee” Smith has been a long time lover of blues. From the likes of Junior Kimbrough to Magic Sam, she has immersed herself into the world of blues with interest in the styles of Mississippi Delta, Memphis, Detroit and Chicago. Having ran successful weekly blues dance sessions since 2015, Dee is a crowd favorite in introducing some of the best blues to new audiences. An avid dancer in the Seattle blues community, she has earned more respect for the genre since becoming a featured vocalist with Stevie and the Blue Flames.

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Working Class Jones is the brainchild of Christopher Ferguson (bass) and Todd Zimberg (drums). Together, they have worked off and on as the bass and drum foundation for numerous musical projects. First meeting in the 1980's in a theatre rock act and as members of the blues band, “Shakey Jake”, a popular Pacific Northwest blues group. They have performed for international rhythm and blues festivals, local blues shows, jazz performances and concerts galore.

The joint leadership of this talented rhythm section lends a unique take to the music, "building from the bottom up." Working Class Jones evoke the great blues traditions as well as a fascination with a unique time and place in history, a music that eventually ignited a new generation to learn to play guitar. This common denominator is felt in their approach to popular hits from yesterday, while new originals offer a contemporary spin on it all with high-intensity fire, infectious grooves, and a splash of humor.

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Billy Stoops & The Dirt Angels is an Americana/roots rock band from the Pacific Northwest led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Stoops. A veteran performer for more than four decades, Stoops is known for his soulful vocals, masterful guitar playing, and groove-driven original songs. He first made his mark as a founding member of Junkyard Jane, later forming The Dirt Angels to showcase his own blend of blues, roots, and rock storytelling. Along the way, he has earned accolades including "Entertainer of the Year" and "Best Male Vocalist" from the Washington Blues Society, as well as a Tacoma Music Award for "Male Performer of the Year." With their newest album Wolf Moon, Billy Stoops & The Dirt Angels continue to deliver heartfelt, high-energy performances that celebrate the soul of American roots music.

Big Road Blues is a classic soul and R&B band nominated for Best New Band by the Washington Blues Society in 2017. This six piece horn band is the coming together of six veteran musically diverse musicians whose chemistry is undeniable on stage. This band packs a punch of soulful energetic music drenched in the sounds of Memphis, Chicago, The Bay Area and Blue-eyed Soul with three very distinct vocalists co-fronting the band.

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Nick Mardon is a Seattle-based guitarist, vocalist, producer, and educator known for his versatility and dynamic live performances. A Snoqualmie Valley native, he fronts the Nick Mardon Trio and performs throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Influenced by blues, rock, and alternative music, Nick also works at Emerald City Guitars, produces recordings for local artists, and teaches privately. Whether onstage or in the studio, he is recognized for his musicianship and professionalism.

Danny Kolke is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and author known for his swinging, blues- and gospel-inspired style. Founder of Boxley's Jazz Club and the nonprofit JazzClubsNW, he has helped grow jazz education and live performance throughout the Pacific Northwest. A longtime educator, Kolke authored Bebop by the Numbers and has released four trio albums. He continues to perform regularly, teach aspiring musicians, and champion jazz through festivals and community programs.

Award-winning singer-songwriter, harmonica player, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Stacy Jones leads one of the Pacific Northwest's premier blues acts. Blending blues, roots rock, and Americana, the Stacy Jones Band has earned the Washington Blues Society's Best Blues Rock Band (2026) and Best Band honors five consecutive times (2018–2022), along with more than two dozen additional awards. Stacy has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, SXSW, and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, sharing stages with legends including ZZ Top, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Janiva Magness, and Lee Oskar. The band features Tom Jones on bass, Rick J. Bowen on drums, and Eric Rice on guitar, delivering electrifying performances fueled by powerhouse vocals, exceptional musicianship, and a soulful blend of blues, rock, and Americana.

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