Tijerina

For the last twelve years Todd Tijerina (Tee-her-ee-na) has steadily made a living playing his fierce brand of cutting-edge blues-rock in Chicago and the Southwest as Tijerina’s (formerly The Todd Tijerina Band) guitarist/singer. In addition to front man duties, a three year stint in Chicago ('97 - '00) offered opportunities to work as guitarist for such artists as internationally revered bluesman, Byther Smith, the legendary Harmonica Hinds, and BB's daughter, Shirley King. It was during this time in the Windy City that Todd and his band won Chicagoland's Rory's Blues Talent Competition 1999. The victory funded recording expenses for the group's 2000 release, the lowdown. Since then the band has released two more albums, welcome home in 2004 and now in 2006, which have enjoyed radio play in the US, Australia and Europe. .
Infusing funk, rock and jazz elements into his blues stylings, Todd has always striven to be unique as a songwriter and guitarist. Rootstime (Belgium) declares that he “creates his own style and sound… His manner of guitar playing, singing and songwriting is refreshing and inspiring.” The Promised Land Entertainment Magazine states, “[the band’s] newest release is a perfect example of how to take the old and mix in the new to get a feeling of something very special… From the opening instrumental you can tell you’re in for a ride you won’t forget.” Putnay Thomas of Blues On Stage magazine states, “His music is distinctive… His guitar playing has as much power and expression as any guitarist I’ve heard…It’s just a matter of time before he gets a major label release.” Todd’s unique sound is a result of his own take on songwriting with an emphasis on maintaining potent hooks, personal identity and grooves that cross genre lines which help explain his contribution’s relevancy to blues as an evolving art form. .
Providing the backbone and punch in Tijerina’s grooves on bass and drums respectively are Phil Petty and Bjorn Hamre. Drummer, Bjorn Hamre, demonstrates a diverse musical background with his unique and energetic style. Having toured nationally and recorded with groups covering a myriad of genres, Hamre’s career has enabled him to share the stage with acts such as Blues Traveler, G Love & Special Sauce, and Leftover Salmon, just to name a few. Petty contributes a strong background in Blues, Funk, and Jazz to Tijerina’s sound. A sought after bassist, Petty has also toured and performed with various groups. .
The band’s unique sound and mastery over its music has enabled bookings at some of the most prestigious blues venues in the southwest and Chicago. Such southwest venues include: Telluride Blues and Brews, Silver City Blues Festival (Silver City, NM), Mountain of Blues Festival (Ruidoso, NM), Keystone Blues & Art (Keystone, CO), Blues & Brews Festival (SLC, UT), Animas River Blues Fest (Aztec, NM), Silverton Jamboree Music Fest (Silverton, CO), Beaver Creek June Jam (Beaver Creek, CO), South Park Music Tour (Alma, CO), Madrid Blues Festival (Madrid, NM), Trinidadio Blues Festival (Trinidad, CO), Rally in the Rockies (Ignacio, CO), NM Blues & Brews Fest (Santa Fe, NM), Morro Theater (Gallup, NM), Albuquerque Blues Festival (Albq., NM), River Fest (Farmington, NM), Sherbino Theater (Ridgway, CO), Mesa Theater (Grand Junction, CO), Mission Theatre (Grants, NM), Fire & Ice Bike Rally (Grants, NM), The Dead Goat (Salt Lake City), Tugboat (Steamboat Springs, CO), Charly's (Flagstaff, AZ), The Foundry (Boulder, CO), Brendan's Pub (Denver), The Birdcage (Prescott, AZ), Railroad Blues (Alpine, TX), Scoot 'n Blues (Durango, CO), The Foundry (Boulder, CO) and many others. Chicago notables include: House of Blues hotel, Chord On Blues, Slice of Chicago, Rosa's, Beale Str Blues Café, Harlem Ave Lounge. Consistently increasing its touring radius and base of support amongst fans and music industry allies alike, the band is making strides towards the international market..
Tijerina has shared the stage with such well-known artists as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kansas, Head East, Canned Heat, Coco Montoya, Sonny Landreth, Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kelley Hunt, Anders Osbourne, The Joanna Connor Band, Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gand, Michael Hill's Blues Mob, The Campbell Brothers, Richard Johnston and Ronnie Baker Brooks, among others. “TODD TIJERINA is more ego-free soulman than six-string showboat. Not that he can’t burn a fretboard with the best of ‘em--one spin of his new disc proves that--but [Todd] and his band lay down a tune and a rock-solid groove well before the solo sparks fly, not the other way around. Nothing against the over-the-top likes of your Chris Duartes, but it’s nice to hear a guy who puts his audience above his own stroke-fests once in awhile.”