Showing posts with label Charlie Baty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlie Baty. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Real Gone Lover - JW-Jones featuring Little Charlie Baty


JW-Jones (born July 15, 1980) is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer and band leader. Jones is signed to the NorthernBlues Music label in Toronto, Canada, CrossCut Records in Europe, and Ruf Records in USA. In the last decade, he has released six albums and played in 17 countries, 4 continents, over 260 cities and over 1000 appearances. Jones, who lives in Ottawa, Ontario, has performed at blues festivals and clubs in Canada, US, Europe, Australia, and Brazil. He records and tours with drummer Jeff Asselin, and Hammond organ player Jesse Whiteley. "J-Dub" endorses Gibson Guitars.


Little Charlie Baty has been long associated with the popular blues band 'Little Charlie and the Nightcats' that existed for over 30 years and recorded ten CDs for Alligator Records. After his decision to retire from non-stop touring, Charlie put his energy into starting a small gypsy jazz and swing combo that played across musical lines. Charlie's love of the music of Django Reinhardt, fused with his extensive knowledge of blues and swing, provides a unique guitar voice in the gypsy style. Jason Vanderford was invited to participate as a guitarist from the celebrated group 'Hot Club of San Francisco' and his strong rhythmic pulse, youthful energy, and interesting solo ideas greatly enhance the project. Long time musicologist and multi-talented instrumentalist Bob Armstrong was also called on to join the Caravan, and brings an incredible knowledge of songs from the 20's and beyond along with the skill to play guitar, steel guitar, ukelele, accordion, and saw. This plethora of sound possibilities greatly expands the quartet sound. Finally, the bass position was filled by Keith Cary, another musician who excels on many instruments and is familiar with swing, polka, country western, and many other important genres for the Little Charlie Caravan. The Little Charlie Caravan is currently unsigned and is in the process of rehearsing and developing new material. Check this site often for updates. Thanks! Little Charlie Baty on guitar, Jason Vanderford on guitar, Bob Armstrong on accordion, saw, uke, steel guitar and guitar, Keith Cary on string bass
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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Hurry Up and Wait- Little Charlie and the Nightcats


Baty (born 1953[1]) was attending University of California Berkeley and studying mathematics when he formed Little Charlie & the Nightcats with Rick Estrin (born 1949) in 1976. The band's music relies chiefy on electric urban blues of the Chicago variety, but mixed in with other compatible styles, including early rock and roll, soul, surf music, swing, jump blues, and western swing. The Nightcats issued their debut album, All the Way Crazy, in 1987, including the songs "Poor Tarzan", "Suicide Blues" and "When Girls Do It". The following album Disturbing the Peace (1988), included "That's My Girl", "My Money's Green", "She's Talking" and "Nervous". The records help established them on the blues festival and club circuits, and they began touring the country extensively, playing a number of international venues. They have played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1980 and 1982, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the San Diego, California Street Scene and Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival plus the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival in 2002.

Their 1993 album, Night Vision was produced and played on by Joe Louis Walker. It featured "My Next Ex-Wife," a witty blues-rocker that won Estrin a W.C. Handy Award for 'Song of the Year', highlighting his steadily growing reputation for songwriting prowess. Original drummer Dobie Strange left in 1996, after 20 years with the group, and his spot was taken by June Core.

In early 2008 Baty announced he was entering "soft" retirement, no longer tours with the band, except for possible reunion tours/shows in Europe and select North American festivals. Baty performed with JW-Jones at Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, and Piazza Blues in Bellinzona, Switzerland in July 2009. The high-energy shows received praise from fans and industry professionals who enjoyed the package.

Estrin continued with the band re-billed as Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Baty was replaced on guitar by Chris 'Kid' Andersen (born 1980), originally from Telemark, Norway. Andersen had played backing Charlie Musselwhite as well as fronting his own band.

Baty's most recent blues recording was as a guest on JW-Jones, Bluelisted (2008), an album which marked the first time in his career that he documented his harmonica playing on a recording, and the first time he and another west-coast blues musician, Junior Watson, had recorded together on the same tracks.
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