Bev Conklin (Vocals)
Beverly, fondly called BC, started her singing career with BC & The Blues Crew in 1992. She was trained by the band when their lead vocalist and harmonicat Dave Bingham left; this was after their one and only gig for Earth Day in New Smithsville, PA. To learn more about being a Blues singer, Bev sought out the Billtown Blues Association to audition for their competition. She convinced the band to do this for regional exposure and it was worth the investment because they made it all the way to Memphis, TN for the International Blues Challenge that year as 1 of 7 top finalists. She has won continuous Lehigh Valley Music Awards for Best Vocalist and Best Blues Vocalist and also won an award for her website design for the band. Two of their CDs have also won LVMA awards in addition to her band mates for their instrumentation (keyboards, sax and bass). Bev has a strong presence in so many ways with the most obvious, her voice. BC was featured with Koko Taylor at Mayfair with Queen Bee (Tonya Brown) in Allentown PA and has performed with or shared billing with Roots Born National Recording Artists like Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, Little Ed & The Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Son Seals, Shemekia Copeland, Eddie King, James Armstrong, E. C. Scott, Sista Monica, Saffire, Jimmy Dawkins, and so many more. Her education has been a tremendous one and continues with the great opportunities to see these artists at the Pocono Blues Festival, theaters like Sellerville and listening rooms like Godfrey Daniels. BC relies on the Blues DJs to continue providing the exposure to old and new Blues artists and music. Her most current project as the Founder of the Women's Blues Alliance is the Lehigh River Blues Jam, held in Catasauqua, PA. All that is BC is not enough for her, so while she kids, it might be wise to check out Bluzin and BC & The Blues Crew while the goings still groovin' and shakin'. Wayne Smith (Guitar, Percussion, Vocals) Wayne is the primary arranger, producer, and songwriter for The Blues Crew since 1994. Playing in bands since 1967, he spent 10 years with Jay and the Techniques (“Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie”). With the Techniques he also backed up other artists such as Tommy Roe, Gary U.S. Bonds, The Outsiders (“Time Won’t Let Me”), Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), The Miracles, and many others. Wayne sits in for Rock Roots with Dave Frye, Nick Franclik and other oustanding area musicians, touring the schools throughout the Northeast. Nick Roberti (Bass, Vocals) Nick Roberti earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Moravian College before embarking on a career as a professional bassist. He has gigged extensively with some of the best rock, blues, and jazz groups in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and surrounding areas, including a performance at the White House for President Clinton. Nick is also the bassist for Analog Velvet and BC & The Blues Crew. Nick's gift of music and theory expands into his ability to play mulitple instruments such as piano and guitar as well as memorize a wealth of material in lyric and song. Nick's voice is like a chameleon. He can sound like the lead voices on songs he contributes by America, Jim Croce, the Band, the Beatles, Johnny Cash and so many more. He loves his cats and enjoys the support of his family for what he values most in music. Special Contributing Guests: Tom Charles (Sax, Vocals) Tom is truly a dynamic saxophonist, vocalist, and entertainer, and is highly respected amongst his peers, and always welcomed back wherever he performs. Once you see him, hear him, and experience his jazzy and soulful voice, he will quickly become one of your favorite entertainers. Tom honed his talent through years of private study on the saxophone, and clarinet from former big band leader George Doddy. Captivating, Soulful, and HOT are just a few of the words that describe Sax man, and Vocalist Tom Charles! Audiences are absolutely amazed at the energy and presence that Tom delivers performance after performance, and they keep coming back for more. Nick Franclik (Bass, Guitar, Vocals) "The other Nick," Nick Franclik fills in for Nick Roberti on occasion and adds yet another inspirational dimension to the group as well. Nick is a freelance bass player, bass instructor, audio engineer and producer. Since 1993 he has been a member of The Electric Farm, voted Best Folk-Rock Band in the Lehigh Valley Music Awards - 2000. The Farm has two CD's out, "Six" and "Boomschlang Viper Story". Recent projects have been performing with and recording the CD "A Perfect World" released December 2003 by singer-songwriter Franki Alazar, and performing with and recording "High Action" to be released May 2004 by The Eric Steckel Band. Other artists Nick has worked with include: Craig Thatcher Band, Dave Fry, Wayne Smith, Dem Hills, Mary Hawkins, The Bad Actors and Donny Mayer and The Ravens. Some history: Bluzin's original line-up included Mitch Shelly who was the former Bassist for BC & The Blues Crew (1998-2007) and Thom Palmer of the Thom Palmer Band. Other friends who work with us on occasion: Dave Smith (Guitar/Sax) - Wayne's brother Suavek Zaniesienko (Bass) Michael Stanley (Bass/Vocals) George Riola (Guitar/Vocals) Dave Small (Harmonica) Jeff Roberts (Guitar/Vocals) |
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