James Montgomery Band
The blues legend returns to THE BLACK BOX
Performed by : James Montgomery Band
When blues legend James Montgomery plays the harmonica, he "brings it on home". Whether it's recording with Kid Rock, sitting in with Gregg Allman, or fronting his hot band of thirty years, Montgomery plays with authority. While growing up in Detroit he learned first-hand from the masters - James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, and Jr. Wells - at the legendary "Chessmate." Over the years, he's carried on in the tradition and continues to be a vital presence in Blues as one of the most dynamic performers on the scene.
In 1970, while attending Boston University, Montgomery formed the James Montgomery Band. His inimitable (oh yeah, he majored in English) harmonica playing combined with his incredibly energetic live shows led to the band's quick ascension on the New England music scene. Within two years, the James Montgomery band was among the hottest acts in Boston along with J. Geils and Aerosmith, and they were quickly signed to a multi-album deal with Capricorn Records.
Since that time, James has recorded six albums. His first, "First Time Out" has been remastered and re-released by MRG/Capricorn. Other include "James Montgomery Band" on Island Records which was number nine on Billboard's national playlist, "Duck Fever" with members of the David Letterman Band, "Live Trax," with the Uptown Horns (the Rolling Stones' horn section), and his release on Tone-Cool, "The Oven Is On."
Montgomery has toured with many major artists, including Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller and others. He has jammed on stage with B.B.King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Charlie Daniels, Bonnie Raitt, Greg Allman, Laverne Baker, Patti LaBelle, and Peter Wolf among others, including an impromptu session with Mick Jagger at New York's "Trax".
Over the years Montgomery's band has been a springboard for many musicians. Members of his band have included Billy Squire, Wayne Kramer (MC-5), Jeff Golub (Rod Stewart), Jim McCarty (Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), Nunzio Signore Bo Diddley), Jeff Pevar (Ray Charles Orchestra, Crosby, Stills & Nash), Bobby Chouinard (drummer with Ted Nugent, Squire and Robert Gordon), Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker), Aerosmith's Tom Gambel, and many others.
with opening act - Baxter Hall!
BAXTER HALL is a guitarist/singer-songwriter from Millis MA. He is the lead guitarist with DWAYNE HAGGINS, whose debut album 'Heavenly Rose' was released October 14th, 2018. The album features Baxter Hall on lead guitar.
Baxter started playing the guitar at the age of thirteen after finding a Fender Stratocaster in his Grandmother’s attic. Baxter Hall grew up in a musical family and began taking interest in blues music from a young age after hearing Mike Bloomfield on “Super Session”.
When Baxter was fourteen years old he was invited to play at BB King’s club in New York City. Baxter has also performed on stage with Duke Robillard, James Montgomery, George McCann and other blues artists in New England.
Baxter Hall's official debut album is set to be released sometime in late 2019. This album is being produced by Grammy nominated guitarist and producer DUKE ROBILLARD.
Baxter Hall is commonly found playing his 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior. He has been recognized as the next generation of blues guitarists with the recent release of “Baxter Hall Plays the Blues”. Baxter Hall is heavily influenced by "Michael Bloomfield, Roy Clark, T-Bone Walker and Shuggie Otis to name a few", he says.