Jazz singer Lydia Harrell perseveres, triumphs on Boston music scene
Jazz chanteuse Lydia Harrell has been on the Boston music scene since 1999, moving here from Battle Creek, Michigan, home of Kellogg breakfast cereals. Harrell had attended Kellogg Community College then moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. Yet, not coming from money, the singer couldn’t afford to attend, so she got a […]
Willie J. Laws discusses barriers to his musical goals
Blues guitarist-vocalist Willie J. Laws Jr. had just returned from performing a string of dates in his home state of Texas when he talked about the latest happenings of his Willie J. Laws Band. His recent activities have included hiring St. Petersburg, Russia native Ksenia Vasileva to fill out the low end notes as well […]
Shor’ty Billups, times of musical joy, times of industry sorrow
At age 87, singer Shor-ty (pronounced Shor-Tay) Billups has been around the block several times in the same vintage machine. Hitting the national scene out of New York City after college and two tours of duty in the United States Army during the Korean War, Billups has, over the years, worked with major national names […]
Yamica Peterson-Cain is in a class all by herself
Yamica Peterson is an interesting woman. Born into a musical family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Peterson learned a lot about music during her youth. When it was time for her to hit the lively live music scene in and around her home town, she was already well schooled in vocals, harmonies, melodies, and especially groove. Peterson […]
Professor Harp continues fighting for equality in the blues scene
Professor Harp has been fighting the battle against racism throughout his career as a blues singer, harmonica player, and band leader. Professor Harp, the professional moniker for Hugh Holmes, became a harmonica player after seeing George Allen “Harmonica” Smith perform in Boston. The Professor, who was given his nick name “professor” by R&B legend Solomon […]
Sharlene Lamont makes her mark in The Hipshot Band LLC
After years of singing gospel music in her church in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, Sharlene Lamont has got her feet in the local New England music scene. Currently, she’s the flamboyant front woman for the club and event outfit The Hipshot Band LLC. Lamont’s story is rooted in the history of American music and her family […]
Doug Kwartler makes Hollow Body Studios a 20 year success story
Sometimes a musician’s work as studio producer and engineer makes his story as engaging as his own original music and performances. Doug Kwartler of the folk duo The Lied To’s has kept his Chelmsford, Massachusetts based Hollow Body Studios in business for 20 years. His knack for turning the knobs is a labor of love […]
Corinna Smith fiddles her way to great heights with Adam Ezra Group
Being the fiddle player for Boston’s hugely popular Adam Ezra Group has opened up a world of possibilities for Corinna Smith. AEG tours clubs and small theaters around the country. They also get to work with those who’ve made it big. Smith, when she took the call for this interview, was driving to Michigan […]
Guitarist Jerry Paquette just won the fight of his life
Jerry Paquette just went through the fight of his life. After contracting Legionnaire’s Disease, the legendary New England guitarist’s doctors didn’t think he was going to make it. “At one point they told my sister, ‘he’s in real bad shape and if he makes it through the next 24 hours he has a chance‘. I […]
Osi Brathwaite gets by with a little help from his friends; Norwood fundraiser set for Nov 11
Osi Brathwaite is a very fortunate man. Although he is dealing with a daunting medical condition, Brathwaite has friends like Willie J. Laws who are helping him through his ordeal. Laws didn’t want to take all the credit so he swiftly pointed out that his partner Joan Debow and music scene promoters John Hall and […]
