MIKE GRIOT’s 3nd Annual…

SOUTH ORANGE INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

CO‐HOSTED BY THE ESSEX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Welcome by Mike Griot -- Founder and Executive Director The South Orange International Blues Festival

What a ride!! It has been over five years since I first envisioned a blues festival in my hometown of South Orange, NJ – that epiphany happened on a typical day having coffee at Starbucks, and sitting downtown soaking up the morning sun. Traveling the globe as a professional musician, I’d had the great privilege of performing at some of the greatest festivals and exotic locations in the world, and it seemed to me at that moment that South Orange (and Essex County) was equally beautiful – and worthy of its’ own major blues event. The obvious obstacle was the economy… and I knew full well it wouldn’t be easy. I needed help… Armed with the spiritual support of a few visionary South Orange residents, a team of dedicated volunteers and others, we embarked together on a mission of love and purpose. The reception was PHENOMENAL; everyone we met agreed that it was an idea who’s time had come. The next few years produced a valuable partnership with the County of Essex, , and bringing on sponsors and strategic partners to “pay the bills” – after all, I always meant this event to be FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Today, we proudly present to you THE BLUES -- our great American art form, and hope you will explore all of the history and creativity this music has to offer. Thank you again for participating in this historic event!! Best in Blues, MIKE GRIOT FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE SOUTH ORANGE INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL OUR 2011 FESTIVAL SPONSORS & STRATEGIC PARTNERS:

OTHER PARTNERS:

www.bluespassport.com

All Access To Success!

Revolutionizing The Blues Globally

LAUNCHING SOON!!

SPECIAL THANKS: Johanna Wright Denise Stennet Debra Davis Ford Stacey Jennings Michael Bollinger & SOPAC Mike White Gloria Buck Alex Torpey Alfred and Clarice Jackson Gale Jones Daryl Harris Tracey Mitchell Linda Onorevole Scott Sullivan Kyle Winslow Tonya Brewington Richard Groves Darren Elijah Pia Winslow Joel Levin Patrick Hilaire Mark Hartwyk and SOPA And the FANTASTIC SOIBF team members and volunteers!!

Main Stage – CHERRY LANE/SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION - West Orange SOIBF 2012 LINEUP -- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2012 11:00 -11:45 Dave Keyes & Bob DeVos 12:00 -12:45 Rosalyn McClore 1:00 -1:45 Michael Packer 2:00 - 2:45 Dean Shot 3:00 -3:45 Al Gold & SRK 4:00 -5:00 Eliza Neals **5:20 -6:30 Michael Hill's Blues Mob featuring Vernon Reid (w/Colin John) 6:45 -7:30 Full Circle Blues Band HOSTED BY "CULINARY ROCKER" JOHNNY CIAO Location: OAKDALE PICNIC AREA ESSEX COUNTY SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION @ CHERRY LANE WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052

Michael Hill’s Blues Mob With the release of their first Alligator album "Bloodlines" in 1994, Michael Hill's Blues Mob immediately established themselves as a cutting-edge, premier contemporary blues band with original music of uncommon power and conviction. "Hill and company return the voice of prophecy, as well as the outraged heart of contemporary urban African-American experience, to the modern blues tradition," exclaimed “Living Blues.” "Bloodlines" went on to earn the Living Blues Critic's award for Debut Blues Album of the Year, as well a slew of other rave reviews. The next four years saw the band release two more highly acclaimed albums on Alligator Records, with "Have Mercy!" (1996) and "New York State of Blues" (1998) collecting their own choruses of excellent reviews. The cheering continued on the road. Michael Hill's Blues Mob has always been a dynamic, crowd-pleasing live act, receiving much love from audiences and lighting up the stage at the Chicago Blues Festival, Memphis In May, and other festivals and clubs. They've been welcomed to stages all around the rest of the world as well, playing festivals and clubs in England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Norway and the rest of Europe and Scandinavia as well as tours in Turkey, Russia and five trips each to Brazil and Australia. In November 2002, Hill performed in Beirut, where Lebanese audiences enthusiastically soaked up that Blues Mob New York energy.

The New Millennium saw Michael Hill's Blues Mob release their fourth album in 2001 on Singular Records in the U.S. and Dixiefrog in Europe. "Suite: Larger Than Life" earned the Mob’s usual stellar reviews. Blues Revue said, "Suite, his first album since 1998's excellent “New York State of Blues,” shows Hill expanding on his previous work…if one is looking for an album with uncompromising musical and lyrical integrity, ‘Suite: Larger Than Life’ is," declared “Goldmine.” While the band has always drawn acclaim for Hill's songwriting and guitar playing, it's the state-of -the-art musicians in the Blues Mob who have brought the music to soul-stirring reality. The band's tradition of great musicianship continues with their current lineup: Bill McClellan who has held down drums/vocals since 1999, Mike Griot (who toured Europe with the band for a month in 1998) and joined as a regular playing bass guitar, electric upright bass, and singing, and harmonica master, the talented Dave Barnes. The Mob has recorded a new album on JSP Records (London) in 2012 called “Goddesses & Gold Redux” in which Living Colour’s Vernon Reid joins in a few tracks. Michael Hill's Blues Mob and their unique New York-style blues will continue to be in the vanguard of keeping the blues alive and thriving in the 21st century with originality, real-life conviction, and full-throttle fun.

VERNON REID (of the Grammy-winning rock band LIVING COLOUR)

Vernon Reid is a true artist whose art is a work forever in progress, from his formative years on the downtown New York jazz/funk/punk scene with Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society, to his leadership of the pioneering multi-platinum rock band Living Colour, to his collaborations with creative spirits ranging from guitarist Carlos Santana and African singer Salif Keita to choreographers Bill T. Jones and Donald Byrd. Vernon Reid is probably best known for leading Living Colour. Vernon founded Living Colour in New York City circa 1985 and piloted the band through a remarkable career. Among the highlights: a double platinum-selling debut album Vivid, released in 1988; its gold-certified successor, Time's Up, released in1990; two consecutive Grammy Awards in the category of Best Hard Rock Performance; opening for the Rolling Stones' 1989 "Steel Wheels" tour; and appearing on the first Lollapalooza tour in the summer of 1991. Vernon is thrilled to be working with Living Colour again and is extremely proud of their new album Collidescope, which was released in October of 2003 on Sanctuary Records. In addition to Living Colour, Vernon has been engaged his usual panoply of activities. He released "Mistaken Identity", his first solo album in 1996 and has collaborated with the choreographers Bill T. Jones on "Still/Here" and Donald Byrd on "Jazztrain". He performed "Party 'Til The End of Time" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) with The Roots, an end-of- millennium tribute featuring music of Prince's album "1999." He also composed and performed "Bring Your Beats" a BAM children's program.

Colin John "It's really honest music and it speaks from the soul and I think that's why it connects with people from every walk of life". An accomplished, versatile musician, John commands the stage with both his guitar prowess and passionate singing honed from years steeped in Memphis' rich music community. His infectious, genre-defying style was

described by the British music magazine Mojo as "ferociously entertaining funked - up R&B" and a reviewer in Akron's Beacon Journal suggested John sounds like "Albert King channeling Steve Vai". In Memphis playing lead in the house band on Saturday afternoons at B.B. King's Beale Street club, Colin would often back visiting artists from Hank Ballard to James Cotton to Pinetop Perkins and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Moving to London in 1993, Colin spent ten years in the U.K. playing with some veteran musicians who worked with Eric Clapton- Henry Spinetti - one of Eric's old drummers who also played with George Harrison and Paul McCartney; Dave Bronze, who plays bass on and off with Eric and Gary Brooker from Procol Harum.

MICHAEL PACKER MICHAEL PACKER is an american singer-songwriter, guitarist and Blues Hall Of Fame inductee who was born in New York City in 1950. He did his first gig at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village at the age of 15. In 1969 he formed the group 'Papa Nebo" which included saxophonist Bob Mintzer who went on to play with the Grammy award winning "Yellowjackets". Papa Nebo recorded an album for Atlantic records. They were personally signed by Ahmet Ertegun.Today it is a collectors item. Packer soon took his sound to the West Coast with buddy Sandy Allen, playing on the streets of San Francisco during the day and The Coffee Gallery in North Beach at night, Michael met George Thorogood and was turned on to the blues. Eventually Packer and Allen made their way back to New York where they started another project "Free Beer"."Free Beer" was born at Gerdes Folk City in Greenwich Village (1973) where they added singer-songwriter Bob Potter. Free Beer recorded 3 albums for Buddha and RCA records and toured extensively with the likes of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Johnny Rivers, Dr.Hook, Clifton Chanier to name a few. All of the albums made the Billboard top 100 and they were well on their way. But nothing lasts forever in the music industry and Free Beer broke up. After the demise of Free Beer in the late 70's Michael opened for John Hammond Jr. and sang with the Matt Murphy

Band. In 1984 in Boston he fronted a 10 piece band called "Coolstep" and opened for Huey Lewis on a New England Tour. After dropping out of the music scene in the late 80's and early 90's Michael Packer hit the skids. His drinking had escalated and he found himself living on the streets. He did a year in Rikers Island for attempted robbery but that seemed to be the turning point in his life. Even in prison he had a band. HBO did a special "The Prisoners of Rikers Island in which he appears. Michael Packer has been sober 18 years now and life is good especially his music. He has become a well known and respected member of the New York City Blues scene. The Michael Packer Blues Band has received rave reviews in Living Blues, Blues Matters, Blues Revue magazines for the live @ Sweet Rhythm album (Woodstock Records). Michael Packer recently found a new home with the Chicago blues label Blue Skunk Music who released his 2010 CD "Free Beer" and as a result of this he met Michael Frank "Honeyboy" Edwards manager and CEO of Earwig Music. Michael Frank presented Packer with the opportunity and the honor of playing 2nd guitar and touring with the late great 2 time Grammy award winner the legendary Delta blues guitarist David "Honeyboy" Edwards who knew and played along side Robert Johnson. They played their last gig together on April 16,2011 in Clarksdale MS. @ The Juke Joint Festival. In 2011 The Iris Music group released a CD of unreleased 40 year old Michael Packer Atlantic and RCA recordings called "My Time To Cry" and received rave reviews. The latest recording "Live @ The Turning Point a famous club in New York was just released digitally by Interscope Records. Michael Packer was inducted into The Blues Hall Of Fame on September 25th, 2011.

ELIZA NEALS An assembly line of blues and rock drives “messin with a fool,” it captures Detroit’s independent spirit with true grit and motor city soul. Eliza Neals sought out the unique talents of veteran writer/producer Martin ‘Tino’ Gross (Kid Rock, RL Burnside) and united him with Detroit legend Barrett Strong (Marvin Gaye, Temptations) to begin provocative recording sessions. Eliza’s “strangely sultry blues voice” and cool writing

style melted with the two masters forging a solid union. Completing their first song plus music video in the summer of 2010, proved “Misery” could truly bring happiness! * Nominated for Multiple Detroit Music Awards in 2003-2011: Outstanding R&B / Blues Vocalist Outstanding R&B / Blues Recording "Misery" Outstanding Blues Artist / Group Outstanding Video / Independent Budget "Misery" Vitamin Water Special Selection "Misery" *Songs from 2012 Album 'messin with a fool' featured in 'Motor City Rising' docu-series on Ovation Network Television Summer 2012 Three vocal tracks and six Insrtumentals off 'Messin With A fool' were in this series.

BOB DEVOS “DeVos’ approach has Grant Green’s bluesiness, George Benson’s rich tone, with a touch of B.B. King for added grit…DeVos does his version of the Midas thing, turning everything he touches into blues…” Audiences and critics thrill to master guitarist Bob DeVos’ “full, liquid tone," “soulful, intelligent interpretations,” and his “infectious, funky groove.” A modern player with strong traditional roots, Bob is at home with straight-ahead jazz, blues, Rhythm & Blues, funk, Latin and more: “ I came up on the chitlin’ circuit—that’s where you really learn to play the blues.” With horn-like lines and a warm, fat sound, Bob enjoys an enthusiastic following for his signature mix of groove and sophistication. His own organ trio’s tight-knit performances of jazz and blues standards, R & B, ballads, and Bob’s hip compositions and arrangements thrill audiences nationwide. His recent HighNote/ Savant Records releases were on the top ten charts for 46 weeks & on many Top Ten CD lists. More on his blues side, Bob has also recorded for Blues Leaf Records.

An in-demand player, Bob has a large and far-reaching discography as a sideman. Bob has played extensively with a who’s who of blues and blues drenched jazz legends both in and outside of the Hammond B3 organ genre, including Richard “Groove” Holmes-Sonny Stitt, Jimmy McGriff-Hank Crawford, the Charles Earland Band with Eric Alexander, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Stanley Turrentine, and Irene Reid as well as many modern players. In recent years he has performed at the Kennedy Center, B.B. Kings, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the Kitano, SMOKE, plus many national & international festivals. www.bobdevosjazzguitar.com

ROSALYN MCCLORE Born in Memphis, Tenn, Rosalyn McClore is one of the most talented jazz pianists and singers on the east coast. Inspired by Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, Rosalyn studied with the worlds leading jazz pianists. With tutors like the late Phineas Newborne Jr., she absorbed with acute attention to detail the stylings of jazz piano and vocal interpretation while refining her own vision and conceptual vocabulary for the music. She emerged, through careful study and focus, her own individual style and presentation of the music of jazz. Rosalyn McClore studied at Memphis State University where she was a jazz piano major. After completing studies at the University, she continued private study with Phineas Newborne Jr., Mulgrew Miller, the late James Williams and Donald Brown-Director of Jazz studies at University of Knoxville. She can be seen at jazz festivals and local venues on the east coast and around the world. She currently lives and works in Jersey City and the New York area.

Rosalyn is now recording an album in tribute to Nina Simone and has an off Broadway show in development on the life and music of Nina Simone. In January 2012 she began talks with the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce to develop the Jersey City Blues society. Rosalyn has been described as the “an unfound treasure” when it come to live performance. She brings a level of entertainment rare in jazz settings and makes her performances a “must see” event. Future projects include development of younger jazz artists in order to keep music of jazz and jazz studies alive and well around the world.

DAVE KEYES Rockin rhythm and roots piano blues man and songwriter Dave Keyes has worked with such legendary artists as Odetta, David Johansen, Levon Helm and gospel great Marie Knight among many many others. His most recent CD “Roots In the Blues” features Larry Campbell and Popa Chubby and received 3 1’2 stars in Downbeat Magazine.

Dean Shot Amazing guitarist/vocalist Dean Shot is an artist of the highest form hailing from the NY/NJ area. Dean's singing and playing explode with soul, self-expression, emotion and creativity. Incorporating many diverse influences and his unique take on life, he delivers a strong style that is all his own. He has been described as "mature beyond his years...Dean plays from the heart... with sheer power and passion behind every note...and a terrific showman! Greg Piccolo of Roomful of Blues fame had this to say, "Dean is one hell of a mean guitar player, and I’ve stood next to some guitar players in my day...I know."

FULL CIRCLE BLUES BAND The Full Circle Band was formed in 1998.Many of the members are formally from the Black Widow Band.This six piece unit has shared the stage with the likes of Kool and the Gang, BB King, Parliament -Funkadelic, Meatloaf, Bobby Brown, Billy Hector, Tutu Jones, Stevie Wonder , Third World and many more . Members of the Jersey shore Jazz and Blues foundation since 1998, Full Circle provide a wide variety of different styles of music from funk ,nu-jazz, pop, rock, r&b and swing. This enables to give all fans a full circle of music in all styles.

AL GOLD AND THE SUBURBAN RHYTHM KINGS Al Gold & the Suburban Rhythm Kings featuring Bobby Radcliff (guitar), Tom Rice (guitar, vocals, harmonica), Jerry Cordasco (drums, percussion), Terry Hemmer (bass, vocals), and Al Gold (guitar, vocals, mandolin). Al has performed with these great musicians: Mel Tones, Bill Barr, Bobby Radcliff, Mitch Eisenberg, Dave Angelini, Dan Courtenay, Eddie Taylor, Eric Braverman, Owen Plotkin, Monz Manasee the Mopes, Jerry Cordasco, Tom Rice, Terry Hemmer, Candy Apple, Homesick James Williamson, Mighty Joe Young, Johnny Long, Dave Stryker, Brian Lynch, Duane Eubanks, Clark Gayton, Steve Slagle, Bob Parsons, Bruce Barth, Jay Anderson, Adam Nussbaum, Ed Howard, Andy McKee, Bailey Gee, George Naha, Richard Lee, TS Monk, John Smatla, Mike King, Manolo Badrena, Bill Moring Tim Horner, Big Mike Davita, Randy Smith, Rocky Jr. and the Signifiers, Enzo & the Bakers, Kyle Kohler and many others...

JOHNNY CIAO Johnny Ciao did not get his start in the culinary world like most chefs who go to culinary school or work in restaurants, but by working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Ciao always loved to cook for his clients and after producing a book and video called ‘Cooking With Country Music Stars’, that went on to sell close to 1,000,000 copies. It featured recipes from 36 top country music stars from Hank Williams Jr. to Dolly Parton. In the mid-80′s, Johnny moved his operation from the east coast to the west coast LA/SF. His second home in San Francisco is what led Johnny to becoming more involved with his passion for food when he met the late concert promoter Bill Graham. There Johnny came in contact with the Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Huey Lewis, Buddy Miles, Chris Isaac and many other music greats. He created backstage food and went on to cook for many of these artists one on one in their homes, at recording studios, on the road and wherever. Johnny then received a phone call that changed his life forever. Pop Star/Music Icon Michael Jackson had collapsed on stage in the Far East while performing. He was weak due to a poor diet and improper eating habits. Johnny was hired to strengthen and change Michael’s diet. He proceeded to move into Neverland Ranch and created healthy, fun and Inventive foods for Michael and his many celebrity guests. It was truly an experience that will last with Johnny for a lifetime! After improving Michael’s health and re-introducing him to fish and poultry items, Johnny decided it was time to stop representing the interests of others and focus on himself. He acquired a solid reputation as an articulate culinary artist and went on to work with one of the some of he entertainment industry’s biggest names including Willie Nelson, the late Marlon Brando and Gregory Peck, Whitney Houston, Dick Clark, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Mayor Ed Koch, Wayne Brady, Richard Kind, and many other music, sports and political figures. After the release of his second book, ‘Koncert Kitchen’, Johnny began appearing on top television and radio programs throughout the world. Some of Johnny’s appearances include the Today Show, Regis, Wayne Brady, Donnie and Marie, several Dick Clark Specials, Entertainment Tonight, VH-1, MTV, BBC, RAI and countless network shows throughout the US and the World. To this day he continues to make appearances promoting his appearances, product line, books and charitable ties. More recently Ciao has been traveling throughout the world filming an internet series, where he re-creates dishes indigenous to regions around the globe in his Euro- California style fashion. He

also visits cool destinations, and cooks in the oddest of locations with celebrities and musicians. Johnny also contributes much of his time doing benefits, golf tournaments and other appearances for ALS, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Chi Chi’s Kids, CROC Alumni, The First Tee and many other organizations and schools in need. Johnny Ciao performs on harmonica while he prepares food at his Famous Blues and Funk Buffet Events which have sold out at several House of Blues locations, as well as other top venues across the U.S. and abroad. Well-Known Musicians from major groups join Johnny as he presents and prepares a feast of food and music for hundreds of guests.