HIGHWAY 99 BLUES CLUB PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2009

CONTACT: ED or STEVE @ Highway 99 Blues Club (206) 382-2171

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  “ Take me down to the river so I can rest beneath the trees…..”

SEATTLE, WA – Some say February is the month for love……we couldn’t agree more….as long as you are talking about your love for the blues…!!  Highway 99 Blues Club is putting some gas in the tank and firing up a whole lot of good music this month.

Busting open the month (on February 5) will be ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART , from Memphis.  A 1997 Handy Award Winner, Alvin has earned 2 Living Blues Awards, a 2003 Grammy Nomination and a 2004 Grammy Award.  He is a multi-faceted artist and movie actor, who has written soundtracks and toured with Taj Mahal.  His deep musical roots that combine blues, soul and rock are steeped in the rural tradition of the blues.  This will be a rare NW club solo appearance.

Next up will be the Inland Empire’s award winning blues band THE FAT TONES.  Coming out of Spokane, this trio has won just about every “best of” award that they have to offer.  Their take of blues with rock and R & B flavoring, three part harmonies and tightly arranged songs have been the mainstay of their rise to prominence.  Friday, February 6 for one night.

February 7 will find Portland’s DK STEWART and his band, the DK-4, featuring the Heart Attack Horns pounding the 88’s.  A real boogie-woogie master who mixes blues, roots and New Orleans funk into a potent mix of swinging up-tempo blues.  Stewart has played with DeLay, Salgado, Buddy Guy and James Cotton.  A great showman.

As we primp for Valentine’s Day, get yourself in the mood with a new monthly feature; THE SONIC FUNK ORCHESTRA will make their Highway 99 debut on Thursday, February 12.  This 12 piece party and dance machine plays all of the best music from the 70’s and 80’s.  People have been asking us for more dancing and R&B and funk music.  Well here ya go….and this is gonna be a smokin’ good time.

This Valentine’s Day we are bringing in a great show.  A heart shaped mix of rock-a-billy and burlesque featuring; MARSHALL SCOTT WARNER and THE ROY KAY TRIO.  Two veterans of the rock-a-billy scene who capture the real spirit of that music.  And of course what would Valentine’s Day be without some of our favorite entertainers like SHANGHAI PEARL, BABETTE LA FAVE, LUCKY PENNY and RUBY MIMOSA. This will be a fun filled way to spend Valentine’s Day in 2009.

Some of our favorite out of town artists will be hittin’ the highway this month as well.  February 20 finds Portland’s THE INSOMNIACS returning.  These Delta Groove recording artists have been touring all over the globe and bringing their brand of Left Coast Blues to fans everywhere.  Jump and swingin’ West Coast blues with a little something special.

Continuing to show our love for the rose city, we bring back another Portland legend, LLOYD JONES and his band.  Lloyd is a real crowd pleaser and his groovy, funky brand of Memphis blues goes down real smooth.  Lloyd is a hip entertainer with the guitar and vocal chops to bring the crowd closer to the soul of the music.  February 21 at 9pm.

Other bands to look out for this month include; GERTRUDE’S HEARSE, JOHN “SCOOCH” CUGNO’S DELTA 88 REVIVAL, THE RANDY OXFORD BAND, PURTY MOUTH’S MONTHLY VARIETY SHOW, the Stax Soul sound of the SATELLITE 4 and their special guests ELDRIDGE GRAVY AND THE COURT SUPREME.

Also back on our schedule is the monthly Zydeco music dance shows. 

This month on February 25, the band SWAMP SOUL will be punching out the Louisiana dance music.  Their mix of Zydeco and Cajun tunes keeps the dance floor filled.

Legendary harp master LEE OSKAR brings in his monthly showcase of local talent and surprise guests on February 27.  A founding member of WAR and the LOW RIDER BAND, Lee helped to create the Latin/soul sound that these bands were known for.

Did we forget to mention this?  We have also added Saturday night blues dance lessons. 

Lessons start 1 hour before show-time.  No more excuses!  You gotta swing!

Our month draws to a close with two other shows worth mentioning.  First is the JAMES HOWARD BAND on February 26.  Originally from San Francisco, Howard is a powerful guitarist whose blend of blues, jazz, latin and rock creates a truly distinctive sound.  He plays the club once a month and you should take note of this.

And finally one of our regulars and another hall of famer from Portland, ROBBIE LAWS and his BIGGER BLUES BAND will hit the stage on February 28.  Laws will be backed by the 6 piece Bigger Blues Band which features 3 horns, B-3 and Tupperware tight rhythm section.  They play vintage R & B, jump blues along with Albert Collins inspired blues.  The band has been featured at Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival, Bumbershoot, Sun Banks and the Bite of Seattle.

Always more information at our website www.highwayninetynine.com and

even more juicy gossip, photos and music at http://myspace.com/hitthehighway

Music usually starts at 8:30 weeknights and 9pm weekends.

Reservations are gladly accepted for all shows and highly recommended on the weekends.