 he Blues has
many distinct origins and sounds. Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, West
Coast Blues, East Coast Blues, Rhythm and Blues and on and on, each with its
own unique flavor. If you ask Bill Sims what type of Blues he plays, his answer
is simply, "I play the Blues."
In 1946, the Rev. William Sims moved his family from the hard life of
sharecropping in rural Georgia to Marion, Ohio where Bill was raised.
The Reverend brought with him the rich musical tradition of his childhood;
the Blues and Gospel. He passed it all onto his son who started playing
piano at the age of four on the old piano in the living room. At age
fourteen, Bill turned professional when he joined the Jacksonian Blues,
a rhythm and blues band considered the top in Ohio. He left the band
to attend Ohio State University where he majored in music. He had the
privilege to play with many great Blues and R&B legends that performed
at the University. He learned his lessons well sitting in the piano chair
of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Freddie King, the Ojays, Jerry Butler
and many more.
In 1971, Bill joined The Four Mints, a doo-wop rhythm and blues group.
Some of their songs made it to the charts, including You're My Desire
and Row My Boat. The group traveled the country, opening for the mega-bands
of the 1970s such as Gladys Knight and Earth, Wind and Fire. In 1976,
Bill left The Four Mints to explore other musical venues. Incorporating
his vast musical expertise and love for world music, Bill founded The
Lamorians, an avant-grade jazz band that relied heavily on traditional
African drumming.
In 1988, Bill came full circle and returned to the Blues. He founded
his own band, Bill Sims and the Cold Blooded Blues Band where he is both
lead guitarist and lead vocalist. He is currently considered one of the
best musicians in the New York City Blues scene. Besides regularly performing
at the best Blues clues in the city, Bill tours extensively both domestic
and internationally. His virtuoso musicianship can be heard in most homes
across America in the advertising spots of Coca-Cola, Reebok, Folgers
and ESPN. In 1992, Bill released his first CD, Blues Before Sunrise.
In 1999 his much-awaited CD Bill Sims was released on Warner Brothers
records to coincide with the 10 hour PBS special on Bill.
When asked why he plays the Blues, Bill simply replies "because my daddy
played the Blues". Luckily for music lovers everywhere, the tradition
continues. |
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www.middlebury.net/lavoie
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more than 30 years Mark Lavoie has been performing for crowds both
large and small. His passion for and commitment to music, particularly
blues harmonica, is admired by the many musicians who have played with
him. Mark enjoys spreading the word about harmonica music and is an
active member of national groups working to preserve and promote the
harmonica as an accessible, inexpensive instrument.
Mark had the opportunity to travel and perform with Sonny Terry, harmonica
virtuoso and half of the popular duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee,
during the ‘70s. Mark has recorded with many Vermont musicians, from
John Gailmor to Big Joe Burrell. He is part of a duo, Cooper and Lavoie,
who play regularly at special events, clubs, and ski areas throughout
Vermont. He has recorded most recently with Warner Brothers recording
artist Bill Sims, Jr. Bill and Mark have performed together at blues
festivals and clubs for the past three years.
During his live, all ages show Mark plays and sings traditional blues
and demonstrates how to play simple chords on the 10 hole diatonic
harmonica. Most people have a harmonica somewhere in the back of a
drawer and Mark’s show often inspires audience members to go home,
dig out their harmonica, and give it a try.
One of Mark’s favorite activities is instructing groups of students,
young and old, in harmonica. He has given lessons in a small private
school, college classroom, and for a high school music class. These
instructional workshops can take place during one day or for a series
of days. Mark is a Hohner harmonica endorsee and is able to get discount
rates on harmonicas for group instruction.
"Mark is a brilliant, exciting, and perceptive player. He has a long history
of experience with authentic blues performance. He does a great presentation
and is an excellent teacher. I was very impressed with how he lead an entire
class through the basic steps and had them playing right away. I also noticed
how, in the time since his visit, everything he told the class has helped them
continue to improve."
--- Dr. Peter Hamlin
Associate Professor of Music,
Middlebury College.
Commenting on Mark’s workshop with his Music Theory Fundamentals class, 2005. |
ill
Sims Jr. and Mark LaVoie have
been working together for about 13 years, mostly in Vermont. In the
early 90s while working in Burlington, Vermont, Bill met Mark and
they became fast friends after discovering there shared love of acoustic
Blues. At the time they were working within an electric format but
that soon gave way to the Acoustic duo. Since that time they have
become a fan favorite at Blues venues throughout Vermont and are
now ready to bring there special form of Blues to the world.
