MOHAWK VALLEY BLUES SOCIETY
Sunday, August 24, 2025 2 PM – 7 PM
Waterfront Park - SylvanBeach, NY
The Mohawk Valley Blues Society is proud to present
The Darrel Nulisch Band, with The Alexis P. Suter Band, and The Tom Townsley Blues Project for our Free Blues Picnic
at Waterfront Park in Sylvan Beach NY on Sunday Aug 24!
THE DARRELL NULISCH BAND
Darrell Nulisch (born September 14, 1952, Dallas, Texas) is an American blues singer and harmonica player. A two-time Grammy Award Nominee, Darrell was a key member of The James Cotton Band, founding member of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets and member of Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters. Nulisch's repertoire incorporates soul combined with R&B and Chicago blues, redesigned to complement his distinctive vocals.
Nulisch was raised listening to Texas radio, soaking in the sounds of soul, blues and R&B. In 1978 he was a founding member of Anson Funderburgh's Rockets and sang with them until 1985. He was then part of Mike Morgan's Crawl, before moving to Massachusetts and joining up with Ronnie Earl's Broadcasters in 1988. He began his solo career late in 1990, relocating to Boston.
James Cotton then asked him to sing with Cotton's band on tour, after Cotton had lost his own voice. Nulisch recorded and toured with James Cotton for 10 years and sang on James Cotton’s critically acclaimed and Grammy Award Winning release “Cotton Mouth Man”.
Darrell Nulisch, renowned for his captivating "blue-eyed" soul and blues vocals takes center stage, showcasing his powerful voice and exceptional harmonica skills rooted in the heart of Texas. Supported by a stellar, world class lineup featuring guitarist Chris Vitarello (Vanessa Collier, Jimmy Mcgriff, Bruce Katz), organist Dave Limina (B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Ronnie Earl), drummer Lorne Entress (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ronnie Earl, Big Al Anderson), and bassist Mike Law (Kim Wilson, Lurrie Bell, Jerry Portnoy), this quintet promises an unparalleled evening of pure blues and soul.
ALEXIS P. SUTER BAND
Raised in Brooklyn, NY by a musically gifted family, Alexis P Suter was infused with the passion and the belief that music is to be an emotional and spiritual experience. Miss Suter brings abundant love and energy into each of her performances. At an Alexis P. Suter Band show, the audiences dance and sing along to rollicking roots songs or funky blues numbers; then a few songs later are wiping tears stirred by an awe-inspiring version of "Let it Be" or other songs that touch deeply. Alexis and her band are not just another musical act, but an energetic and emotional experience that fans return to time after time. Critics struggle to find words to describe her smooth, deep voice and unique style. Elmore Magazine summarized it well, "Suter is as fascinating to watch as to hear. A stunning, ample woman with the face of a cherubic African queen, her molasses contralto can whisper and purr, then swell into a pulsating wave of sound that radiates from the depths of her being".
Alexis and her core band, fellow Brooklyn natives Ray Grappone (drums) , Jimmy Bennett (guitar), Daniel Weiss (keyboard), Peter Bennett (bass) and Vicki Bell, (producer, vocals and percussion) have been making music together for nearly twenty years. Grappone and Bell own and operate the Hipbone Records label. They met Alexis soon after Alexis signed with Epic/Sony Records Japan in the 1990's. At the time, Alexis was performing House Music, Funk and R&B. Impressed with her incredible and unique talent, Grappone and Bell invited her to record vocals on a Hipbone project. A life-long collaboration ensued which culminated in the Alexis P. Suter Band.
The band is bringing a fresh sound to their catalog and exploring new songs and musical genres. They are selling out venues, receiving rave reviews, and filling their calendar with national and international performances.
TOM TOWNSLEY BLUES PROJECT
New York Blues Hall of Fame musician Tom Townsley has been playing the blues for nearly half a century. He's considered one of CNY's top flight harmonica players and song writers.
His current band, Tom Townsley's Blues Project, is a blend of veteran and rising star players dedicated to mastering the nuances of several regional styles of blues, as well as presenting strong original songs. With longtime guitar slinger Morris Tarbell and rising star Jake Lozo plying the six string as well, this band packs a solid one-two punch. Add the premier rhythm section of Lenny Milano on drums and Sean Peters on bass, and you have a formidable blues ensemble.
Be sure to look for their new CD this Fall.
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