Davina & the Vagabonds and
The Brothers Curtis Delta Duet
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International Blues Challenge — 2009
Brothers Curtis Delta Duet
Curtis Blake & Curtis Marlatt
On February 4-7, 2009, the 25th Annual International Blues Challenge was held in Memphis, TN. The Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society was represented by The Brothers Curtis Delta Duet and Davina & the Vagabonds.
Beale Street was cool when we arrived on Wednesday but the temperature and the music started to heat up right away on Thursday and both were smokin' hot by Saturday.
The Brothers Curtis Delta Duet performed at the King's Palace Cafe. The way the room was configured it didn't feel quite as claustrophobic as some of the other venues on Beale St. Curtis Marlatt and Curtis Blake were looking sharp in their suits and performed a particularly tight set on Thursday night.
Davina & the Vagabonds (Davina Sowers - keyboard, Michael Carvale - upright bass, Dan Olson - drums, Zack Lozier - trumpet and Scott Agster - trombone) played the last set on Thursday at the east end of Beale St. in the New Daisy Theater to a pretty close to full house. The crowd reaction was very favorable and I found myself elbowing my way through a crowd of other photographers trying to get the best shots.
Davina Sowers & Michael Carvale
Vagabonds on stage at the New Daisy
Both acts reprised their performances on Friday night at the same venues for a different set of judges. In the end, niether of our GTCBMS representative acts was selected for the finals on Saturday but I think everyone involved had a great time and a good experience.
In addition to the scheduled competition, the Brothers Curtis participated in a jam hosted by the Stella Vees at Mr. Handy's Blues Hall on Beale St. Davina & the Vagabonds were included in the Blind Raccoon Showcase on Friday morning at the Rum Boogie Cafe and ended up placing in the finals on Saturday night at a consolation competition at the New Daisy Theater sponsored by the Beale St. Merchant's Association.
The IBC is really quite the spectator sport for a blues music fan. With 100 bands, 64 solo/duo acts and a youth showcase it is practically impossible to take it all in. But if you plan carefully and sprint from one venue to the next up and down Beale St. you will be guaranteed to hear one heck of a lot of great music in three days. Next year's IBC has been moved up two weeks to January 20-23, 2010. For a bunch more pictures see the 2009 Memphis Slideshow.
— Jake Jacobson
(02/12/09)
The Dough Bros Selected for "Best Self-Produced CD" Entry
Paul Mayasich & Andy Dee's CD Heading to Memphis
A panel of judges has selected The Dough Bros CD by Paul Mayasich and Andy Dee as this year's GTCBMS affiliate-entry for the Blues Foundation's "Best Self-Produced CD" category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. For a sample of The Dough Bros go to: www.myspace.com/paulmayasichandandydee
Judging in Memphis will be in three stages. There will be two rounds of judging by radio/print people leading to the final judging.
The finalists will be announced prior to IBC weekend (Feb 4 - 7, 2009). Music professionals will judge the finalists and the winner will be announced at the IBC finals.
Judges will evaluate:
(1) Musical Performance
(2) Audio Quality of the Presentation
(3) Cover Art and Design
(4) Credits and Liner Information.
(10/18/08)
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