For over half a century, B.B. King and B.B. King’s Band defined the blues to the world, averaging over 250 sold out concerts per year, with classics like “The Thrill Is Gone,” “Every Day I Have The Blues,” “How Blues Can You Get,” and “Why I Sing The Blues”.
Now BB King Blues Band members have gotten together to continue touring in the remembrance of “BB King”. These original members of “BB’S band Featuring “Michael Lee” (The Voice) are touring and performing all over the world.
Combining over 100 years of musical talent, this is your chance to experience and celebrate these incredible legends…LIVE ON STAGE!
Michael Lee
Lead Vocals. Lead Guitar
https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/michael-lee-blind-audition-the-thrill-is-gone/3801012
Michael Lee is a Fort Worth based Blues artist. Featured as a contestant for the 2018 Season of the Voice. Where his soul and energy was unmatched and unlike the show has ever seen. Raised around blues music his entire life, Michael spent the majority of his young life in blues clubs receiving an ivy league education from watching and playing with blues legends such as Andrew “Jr Boy” Jones (Freddie King), Buddy Whittington (John Mayall), Lucky Peterson (Willie Dixon). On nights he was not in the blues clubs he was down in the stockyards soaking in the Country sounds which emanated from those honky tonks. Like Delbert McClinton and many Fort Worth musicians before him, Michael’s style of music has the perfect blend of Blues and Country. Michael Lee released his first record in 2014, released two singles in the summer of 2018 “Here I Am” and “Heart of Stone” and is releasing his sophomore record in 2019.
James “Boogaloo” Bolden Trumpet/Lead Vocals/Backing Vocals
Born in Houston, TX, James Bolden began his musical training under the guidance of Edmund C. Broussard. Bolden later seized the opportunity to study classical trumpet under Houston Symphony Trumpeter Richard Schafer. James went on to play with local union bands that performed with a wide array of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Temptations, Supremes, Spinners, and James Brown. Bolden eventually was given the opportunity to join the Duke Ellington Orchestra where he thrived for years. Bolden later joined the band of B.B. King and became bandleader during a stint of over 35 years. James Bolden now continues his association with B.B. King by joining B.B. King’s Band as bandleader.
Claudette King Vocals
Claudette, known as the “Bluz Queen” and daughter of the all-time greatest bluesman, B.B. King, has taken up residency with B.B. King’s Blues Band featuring The “Voice” Michael Lee. King has been performing on her own well before the passing of her father across the world and has in every note she belts out, been keeping her fathers’ legacy alive. King released her first hit album “On to Something” which garnered her international attention and, with a retake on BB’s “Playing with my friends” hailed her crowds to their feet’s and jamming to the soulful bluey beat and, was beloved by her famous father. In 2018, king released Good Ole Bluz under Universal Music Groups’ Spinnup brand which has solidified her footing in the Soulful-Blues genre. She has a natural ease in
shifting with the mood of each of her lyrics. But most certainly, the power of Claudette’s enthusiasm for the
splendid genre-blending music merits wide notice. King’s never-ending tribute lead her to maintain that “the
BB King Blues Band is an excellent fit”
Russell Jackson Bass Guitar/Lead Vocals/Backing Vocals
Starting his 41-year career in 1974, Russell Jackson moved to Chicago in 1976 and gained his blues stripes working with Otis Clay, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, and others like Charlie Musselwhite and WIllie Nelson. For 8 years, Russell toured exclusively with B.B. King as his bass guitarist for over 17 years. Jackson was the first artist to put slap bass on a live blues recording, (Live at Old Miss 1979). During the 1990’s, he recorded with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne on his Juno Award winning CD. In 1992, the Russell Jackson Band debuted and Jackson released three CD’s of his own material. Present day, Russell is the Music Director for the New Generations of the Blues European Tours, formerly known as The Chicago Blues Festival. Jackson was welcomed into the B.B. King’s Blues Band because of his extraordinary talent.
Eric Demmer Saxophone
“Hear what you feel, play what you hear.” At the age of 10, Eric received his first saxophone, so began the journey of a natural-born musician playing anywhere at any time with anyone. One night, Eric was invited to perform onstage with the legendary Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown at a Houston club known as “Billy Blues.” On that night, Eric joined Gate’s band and traveled all over the world for the next 12 years untill Gate’s death in 2005. The journey with Gate included performing as the opening act for Eric Clapton’s “From the Cradle Tour.” This gave Eric the opportunity to perform with many well-known and respected musicians, ie. Carlos Santana, George Duke, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, and B.B. King and BB Kings Blues Band. Buddy Guy, the Allman Brothers, and Dr. John were among many others.
Wilbert Crosby Guitar and Vocals
Wilbert A. Crosby is a guitarist, producer and music instructor that was born in Chicago, IL. Currently based in Chicago, Crosby has had the opportunity to perform and record with a varied group of artists like Pops Staples, Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Charlélie Couture, and Carey Bell.
A love for Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Soul music has always been a part of his life at an early age. Being that his father was a local tenor saxophone player in Chicago back in the 1950’s and his god-father was Howlin’ Wolf’s blues drummer S.P. Leary, Crosby was always surrounded by legendary artists. By the time Wilbert was 10 years old he was playing guitar with his father’s band during practice sessions.
In 1983, Wilbert began playing with Pops Staples and went on his first international tour and further learned other aspects of the music industry. Already interested in composition, had the opportunity to compose and arrange for other artists which included Carey Bell. Out of their collaboration and creative efforts, the album, “Good Luck Man” (1997) won the W.C. Handy’s Award.
Accolades have adorned Crosby’s career. He obtained the Albert King award in 1996 and has performed at the White House during the Clinton and Bush administrations. He performed the Grammy awarded song, “Have A Little Faith” with Mavis Staples at the 2005 Grammy Awards. Additionally, he played with Pops Staples at the 1995 Grammy Awards in an all-star jam with Bonnie Raitt, Phil Upchurch, WahWah Watson, Isaac Hayes & Maria Muldar. Wilbert also has the honor of product endorsements for Elixir Strings and Reunion Blues Guitar Cases.
Lamar Boulet Trumpet
Lamar was raised in Lafayette, LA, but got his start in the music business in New Orleans. It was there he was able to study and work with some of the legends in New Orleans such as Ellis Marsalis, his first teacher in the study of jazz. As an undergraduate, he studied with the incomparable Vince DiMartino at the University of Kentucky before receiving his masters degree at the University of Miami. Lamar later moved to Orlando and worked at Disney as a composer/arranger, musician. Carnival Cruise Lines hired him as Musical Director and he spent 4 years in charge of musicians and talent. He also toured with Grammy Award winning Latin artist, Tito Nieves. Lamar now lives in Houston, TX, where he freelances and teachers. Lamar is honored to be a new member of B.B. King’s Blues Band.
Darrell Lavigne Keyboards/Vocals
Darrell Lavigne has been performing on stages around the world, most notably New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Rotterdam JVC Jazz Festival- Netherlands, and Berlin Jazz Festival- Germany. Lavigne began his musical life at age 10, first on guitar then trumpet. It wasn’t until his senior year that he decided piano would be his instrument of choice. “I wanted to explore harmony and the colors of music. Piano represented that for me.” Darrell’s influences came for the usual jazz sources as Monk, Bud Powell, Ahmad Jamal, Hancock, and Corea. Charlie Parker, Coltrane, and Miles Davis rounded out the crew. Early musical exposure in addition to the mentoring by Ellis Marsalis and Edward “Kidd” Jordan helped Lavigne become one of the most sought-after pianists around. Darrell has gone on to record two albums with then Columbia Jazz Artist, Kent Jordan, write for one (Night Aire) and produce another (Out of This World). Over the years, Darrell has performed with artists BB King, BB King’s Blues Band, Kirk Whalum, Marion Meadows, George Duke, Hubert/Ronnie Laws, and Everette Harp to name a few. Though he’s respected as a pianist/keyboardist, he continues to produce and write for a number of artists. Discography: Blue Orleans (Fertile Crescent, 2000); Kidd Jordan/IAQ-Kidd Stuff (Danjor); Michael Ward-After The Kiss (Sweet Music Records, 2006).
Brandon Jackson Drums
Brandon Jackson Began playing drums at an early age following his father into musical entertainment. Now he is one part of the backbone to the BB King Blues Band