2008 Triangle Blues Society Blues Challenge Champs!Valentino and The Piedmont Sheiks, based in Raleigh, NC, is the most dynamic vibrant blues band Raleigh has seen in a long time. Their repertoire is steeped in vintage blues and jump numbers that captivates their audience with high energy emotional performances. With over 140 years of combined experience playing the blues between its members, Valentino and the Piedmont Sheiks is a tight unit. They know how to hit you with a down and dirty groove on the slow numbers and really cook on the steaming swing tunes. After experiencing one of their passionate performances, you'd be lyin' if your ass weren't wigglin' and feet weren't a stompin'!*************************************************** ************* More about the players ************************************************************ ****Valentino.......Harp, vocals ************************************************************ **** Growing up in New York, Valentino has been a student of the harmonica since his grandfather gave him his first harp as a small child. Early in his career, he was able to study under New Yorks premier harp player Tom Townsley. After college, he moved south to the low country (Charleston, SC and then Savannah, GA) where he was mentored by two of the best harp players on the east coast, Juke Joint Johnny and Chuck The Cat Morris. He also cites Little Walter, Sonny Boy I & II, Jimmy Reed and Big Walter as his main influences.Valentinos fervor for performing the blues and expressive style of attacking each note on the harp, gives the Piedmont Sheiks the one-two punch that keeps the crowd beggin for more. Valentinos ability to deliver heart felt soulful vocals is enough to convince any disbeliever. "I have played with many bands over the years and I have never found anyone that can emulate that traditional sound and tone like these fellas do." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQj285hzNg8 ************************************************************ **** Connect Savannah writes....One of Valentinos most impressive talents is his ability to approximate horn lines on the mouth harp...he's able to navigate this tricky feat is further abetted by the fat, round tone he has arrived at no doubt after years of trial and error.Natchels Blue Network Newsletter writes.......Valentinos train chuggin makes you want to get your harp and go sit down by the tracks. You cant keep your feet still. If you are ever fortunate enough to stumble into a southern joint where they are playing youll think you hit the lotto.****************************************************** ********** ************************************************************ ****Chris Berry.......Guitar, VocalsChris Berry has been a student of the Blues for most of his guitar playing life. After being mesmerized by Albert King while seeing him perform on T.V. at an early age, he knew that playing the blues was his passion. His influences however are eclectic, they range from the swing of Charlie Christian and T.Bone Walker to the more traditional Chicago blues sound of Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers. He also is influenced by the modern masters of the West Coast sound such as Junior Watson and Teddy Morgan and has been known to throw in a touch of Rockabilly just for kicks.One local picker describes his style as "Charlie Christian meets Johnny Winter meets Johnny Cash"."I have played my share of Rock-and-Roll, but I always like to pay tribute to the traditional masters of any given style that I may be interested in or working on at the time. I am a traditionalist that has spent many hours wood sheddin while listening to the masters. In the Blues there are certain little licks or phrases that you HAVE to play just right for it to really be the blues. I continue to enjoy the challenge of doing that when I play."****************************************************** ********** ************************************************************ **** Tracy Wiebeck.......Bass & Vocals Born into a military family in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tracy has lived in many parts of the country, graduating from High School in Homestead, Florida. Music captivated his attention after hearing the Beatles in the early 60s. During the British Invasion he became aware of American blues music by listening to the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Cream and other bands of the time. Looking at the song writing credits on the album covers, he began to investigate the names that kept recurring; McKinley Morganfield, Willie Dixon, Walter Jacobs, T Bone Walker and so on. This is how he discovered the blues.Tracy began his professional music career as bassist for The Ice House Blues Band in the late 60s. The front man for this outfit was the now internationally known harmonica player, James Harman. After joining the band in Miami Florida, they relocated to the Los Angeles / Orange County area in California in early 1970. Through playing with Harman, Tracy met and played behind well known blues artists such as Rod Piazza, Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton, George Harmonica Smith, Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson and Walter Trout. Having played with these blues icons, he has developed a deep blues feel and life long love of blues music. After many musical detours to explore other styles of music, Tracy always has returned to the blues. These diversions however, have only helped to round out his talent and ability as a musician and vocalist. His ability to deliver a solid bottom line and deep grooves provides the foundation that the Sheiks ride on. His soulful vocals are an additional component that is a good compliment to the other vocalist in the band.******************************************************* ********* ************************************************************ **** Ed Mezynski.......Drums & VocalsThroughout the Piedmont Region of North Carolina Ed Mezynski has become know as the King of Rhythm and for good reason. After seeing one performance you can easily see that he is the hinge-pin that drives the train and sets the feel of each tune the Piedmont Sheiks perform. Never overplaying, he knows just when to lie on the gas or when to let it drag.
