Steve Kozak’s WestCoast Blues Revue

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I was born in Vancouver B.C. Canada in 1956 and have been a part of Vancouver's Blues scene for over twenty years.
I began playing guitar and singing at age sixteen and took to the Blues like a duck to water. My passion for the Blues flourished after meeting, and hanging out for a few nights, with the legendary Muddy Waters here in Vancouver back in May of 1977. Muddy encouraged me and set me straight on a few things. After that, ‘I was on a mission’…my musical future was sealed.
I first started playing around Vancouver during the mid eighties in a band called Bad Habits. During those early years I gained some good experience, and ‘paid my dues’ at the renowned, Yale Hotel’s Saturday Blues jam, hosted then by my good friend Jack Lavin. In 1991 I won ‘The Battle of The Blues Guitars’ at The Yale’s Saturday Jam. Since then I have worked with some great Blues bands from the Vancouver area including, Juno winner, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, the Juno nominated, Twisters, The West Coast Five, VP and the Hammerheads, and The R&B King Pins.
Over the years I have had to good fortune to have shared the stage with and played along side many Blues greats including: 2006 Juno Award winner, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, the late, great, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Duskin, Guitar Shorty, Sonny Rhodes, Eddie Clearwater, Lee Oskar and my pals, James Harman, Mark Hummel, Evan Johns and Rick Estrin of Little Charlie and the Night Cats.
In 1999 I formed STEVE KOZAK'S WESTCOAST BLUES REVUE featuring a solid line up of talented Vancouver Blues musicians who share a keen interest in playing hard hitting authentic Blues. The WestCoast Blues Revue has gone through a few personnel changes since the beginning and draws from a stable of top notch players. The line-up still changes from time to time depending on who’s available for the gig and what works best for the situation.
These days, the musicians that make up the WestCoast Blues Revue are, yours truly, *STEVE KOZAK, Guitar and vocals, *BRIAN ‘Sechelt Red’ McFADYEN, on Harmonica, *JAMES ‘Hollywood Jimmie’ BADGER on the Drums with the ever steady *TREVOR NEWMAN on Bass. We also recruit the services of the excellent, *KEN ‘BULL FIDDLE’ WILSON on Stand-up bass and the always dangerous, *DAVE WEBB ..boards whenever we can.
We recently finished and released my new CD entitled Hoot ‘N Holler. This album is my second release and my first studio recording featuring almost entirely original material. Ten of the thirteen tracks included were written by me with one track co-written with my long time pal and producer of the project, Jack Lavin. To give the listener a taste of what they will hear at our live shows, ‘Hoot ‘N Holler’ features all of the musicians listed above as well as a special guest appearance by Jack Lavin, laying down some fine harp tracks on a couple of songs. We recorded the project over two sessions, live off the floor, to get as close to a live performance sound as we could with a minimum of overdubs and added effects.
After facing a close brush with mortality and two major surgeries over the past year, this new CD is a celebration of love, life and gratitude and good times. The album is dedicated to all of my good friends and loved ones who helped us get through these hard times. Fortunately I am back in the saddle again playing and singing the Blues, happy to have another chance to enjoy life. ‘There is nothing that heals the body, mind and soul like music!’
“Everybody Hoot ‘N Holler and have yourself a real good time!”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW & DOWNLOAD PROMO PHOTOS, BIO PAGE, LATEST NEWS ETC
FOR AUTHENTIC BLUES MUSIC WITH A WESTCOAST FEEL, YOU CAN’T BEAT THIS BAND! FROM SWINGIN’ JUMP BLUES TO VINTAGE ROCK & ROLL, AND TRADITIONAL CLASSIC BLUES. THIS BAND COVERS A GOOD VARIETY OF UPBEAT, TOE-TAPPIN’, FINGER-POPPIN’ TUNES. STEVE KOZAK’S WESTCOAST BLUES WILL BE SURE TO PLEASE THE MOST DISCERNING BLUES FANS AND CREATE SOME NEW ONES WITH THEIR POWERFUL, AUTHENTIC BLUES.
*NEW CD COVER ART*
Artwork by Brad Neave Copyright © 2007 S. Kozak All Rights Reserved
HERE IS WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE NEW CD!
*John Valenteyn from the Toronto Blues Society’s Maple Blues Online says: “it’s an infectious romp that brings Willie “Big Eyes” Smith to mind.” And “…a well-written and arranged little delight it is.”
*Richard Rosenblatt former CEO of Tone Cool Records and currently the president and CEO of the Vizz- tone label group and Tone Cool Productions says; “This is real, honest blues-party music! Tasty musicianship and solid tunes. It's great that there is so much original music on the disc. You don't have to re-invent the wheel, it's all how you spin it.”
*Jerry Hall top notch record producer and owner, president & CEO of The Pacific Blues Recording Company says: “Steve's new release comes after a long absence due to illness, "Hoot 'n Holler" is a strong return to form featuring some of Western Canada's best players and 10 originals of the 13 songs on the CD. Recorded live in-studio for a natural performance feel and produced by Jack Lavin, Steve has returned strong as ever.”
*The Blues Hound, producer/programmer of KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston Texas says; “Yeah that's the real deal stuff with extra grease.”
*Tom Harrison of The Vancouver Province calls it “Blues that can put a smile on your face.”
Steve Kozak was recently featured in the winter 2007 issue of Vancouver Lifestyle Magazine as the subject of ‘The People Worth Watching’ section written by Vancouver music icon Lindsay Mitchell.
If you would like more information or would like to book the band, send us a message here or call Steve Kozak at (604) 434-7005
THE NEW CD HOOT 'N HOLLER IS NOW AVAILABLE AT CD BABY!
MP3 DOWNLOADS & CD COVER ART NOW AVAILABLE FROM CD BABY!
STEVE KOZAK BACKING UP LEE OSKAR, MARK HUMMEL & JAMES HARMAN AT A HARP WORKSHOP IN VANCOUVER. 11/25/07
April 14, 2007 @ The Yale Vancover BC with Willie MacCalder keys, Steve Kozak on guitar, Jack Lavin on bass with Jerry Adolphe on the kit. More videos have been posted in my Blog section.
Powell Street Slim & The Known Associates
COME ON OUT TO STEVE'S SATURDAY AFTERNOON BLUES SESSION 4 - 7 PM @ THE COTTAGE BISTRO...SEE YOU THERE!!!