Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones

We have no gimmicks, says Doug Deming, leader of Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones. We play pure traditional music from the heart, with an image that conveys a deep respect for the genre.

There is no doubt his swinging jump style blues has earned Deming considerable respect in the blues world where he and The Jewel Tones are in demand as a backing band for the whos-who of todays top blues performers, including Chicagos A.C. Reed, Louisiana Red, Chicago Pete, Cannonball vocalist Alberta Adams, Black Tops Johnnie Dyer, WC Handy Award winner Johnny Yard Dog Jones and the legendary Lazy Lester.

These are my babies, says Alberta Adams.

These guys are my pride and joy, says Lazy Lester.

And Detroit guitarist and W.C. Handy multi-award nominee Johnnie Bassett describes the band as Great talent . . . that people outside the area will come to know.

They will have their chance as Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones travel across America on their own and when they frequently team up with the likes of The Fabulous Thunderbirds Kim Wilson.

Deming is a critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter whose spellbinding guitar work, has been lauded in Big City Blues magazine, Blues Bytes and other publications around the country. He and The Jewel Tones have just been nominated for a 2006 Detroit Music Award -- Outstanding Blues Artist/Group.

Music Critic Craig Ruskey says Doug Deming seems to be more of a throwback to a bygone era than a purveyor of modern blues in the 21st Century (Demings CD Double Down suggests) 1950s Chicago Blues regardless of the liner notes saying it was tracked in California Its easy to understand why Doug Deming has worked with Johnny Dyer, Lazy Lester, Johnny Yard Dog Jones and others, hes got the goods to go the distance.

Deming is the strong leadership behind the group, but his talented band including Bassist Bob Conner, Drummer Julian Van Slyke drive the music home with their diverse talent.

Conner has toured with artists such as Hubert Sumlin, Earl King, Johnny Adams, Eddie Bo and Big Jay McNeely. He has recorded with Detroiters such as Johnnie Bassett, Joe Weaver and Bill Heid. Conners Swinging lines on the upright and solid bottom on the Fender bass add depth and authenticity to the groups sound.

VanSlyke has played with the John Douglas Quartet, Orange Lake Drive and The Brett Lucas Band. He has also worked with The Fundamentals, Liz Larin and recorded with India Arie. His jazz-fusion-world music background lends dimension to this deeply rooted blues group with its jump and swing style.