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DOUG JAY & THE BLUE JAYS
SA. 07.07.2001, 18.00

Doug Jay- harp, voc
Christoph 'Jimmy' Reiter - guitar
Mirko Bartolic - bass
Andre Werkmeister - drums
Chris Rannenberg - piano, voc

Click here for the website of Doug Jay..

DOUG JAY was born in 1953 in Pensacola, Florida. As a boy his family moved often, living at various times in Virginia, Rhode Island, California, Texas and Hawaii before finally settling in the Washington, DC area. He's been on the road ever since.
Doug discovered blues as a teenager. Upon hearing the legendary recordings of blues harpist Little Walter Jacobs, he became hopelessly hooked, and started playing harmonica. His professional career began in the early 70s, and in 1976 he joined The Allstars from Charlottesville, VA - one of the earliest of the "New Wave" of second-generation blues/roots touring bands of the late-70s and 80s. This scene included Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues, The Blasters, Delbert McClinton, George Thoroughgood, Powerhouse (featuring Tom Principato), The Nighthawks and many others, most of whom the Allstars shared the stage with at one time or another. The Allstars toured exhaustively - it was a glorious time for live music in America - and Doug had the opportunity to participate in frequent jam sessions and gigs with Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Sunnyland Slim, John Hammond Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes and a host of other blues and rock giants. In 1978 The Allstars first (and only) album, "Tip Your Waitress" was released on the Adelphi Records label, receiving a rave review by Nick Tosches in Rolling Stone Magazine.

In 1980 Doug was asked by guitarist/singer Bob Margolin to join his new band following Bob's departure (after seven years as lead guitarist) from The Muddy Waters Band. Doug shared the vocals in addition to his harp duties, and as the Bob Margolin Band toured regularly throughout the East Coast and Midwest, he gained invaluable experience working with one of the great interpreters of traditional-style Chicago blues. After leaving Bob's band, Doug played for the next few years in the Washington, DC area with local groups, exploring his interest in 60s soul/pop in addition to the blues material he had become known for. It was during this time that he began writing and performing his original songs, some of which became mainstays of his repertoire.

During the 1980s, the West Coast blues/roots scene had exploded with the likes of Robert Cray, Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, The James Harman Band, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, William Clarke and scores of other great players. In 1990 Doug decided to delve into this scene, moving to San Francisco and starting his own group. Featuring Bay Area guitar virtuoso Anthony Paule, his band began working regularly on the highly competitive club circuit in Northern California and in 1993 they recorded Doug's first solo
outing, "Until We Meet Again". The CD featured eight of Doug's original compositions, and received universally enthusiastic reviews in the international blues press. This led to extensive touring in Europe, including two tours in 1993 with Vienna's Mojo Blues Band, three tours of Italy from 1993 to 1995, and two German tours in 1998/99.

In 1994 Doug returned to his hometown of Washington, DC and formed the East Coast version of his band. In the late 90s, Doug completed work on his second solo project, "Get It While It's Hot". An ambitious blend of amplified blues, roots rock, 50s-style jump swing and 60s-style R&B, the album includes 10 original compositions and features an all-star cast of American roots musicians: West Coast guitar killer Alex Schultz, East Coast drum giant Big Joe Maher, Nashville keyboard wizard Kevin McKendree and 50s doo-wop kings The Legendary Orioles, among others. The CD is another step in Doug's musical evolution, drawing from many sources to create something a little bit different. Not really "retro" or "blues-rock", Doug's sound is inspired and informed by America's musical past but with both feet firmly planted in the present.

Having developed close musical ties in Europe in the 90s, Doug now spends much of his time touring throughout the continent. He is a frequent headliner at Blues and City Festivals in addition to his regular nightclub appearances.

Guitarist Christoph "Jimmy" Reiter picked up the guitar at the age of 10 and developed a strong intererest in Blues music when he was a teenager. A quick learner, he could be found playing at the famous Monday night Pink Piano jam sessions in Osnabrück
regularly by the time he was 16.

It didn´t take long for the rest of the musicians there to notice the youngster´s talent, and quite a few of them began to use Jimmy on their gigs. In addition to playing with the likes of German piano wizard Christian Rannenberg and saxophone great Tommy Schneller, he became a regular member of the Tom Vieth Bluesband, with whom he also recorded a CD, and later BlueSonic featuring Thomas Feldman (on sax and harmonica). As some of the more well-known expatriate American blues musicians in Europe became aware of him, Jimmy began playing gigs with Guitar Crusher, Chicago blues lady Angela Brown, singer Teeny Tucker and singer/harmonica
player Keith Dunn.

In the late 90's he formed his own group, Jimmy´s BlueSonic - fronting the band on guitar and vocals. As he had been playing with bassist Mirko Bartolcic and drummer Andre Werkmeister for years in various groups, they were the logical choice for the rhythm section. In addition to his guitar duties, Jimmy contributes the occasional lead vocal to the repertoire of Doug Jay & the Blue Jays.

Bassist Mirko Bartolcic, currently living in Maastricht/NL, has established himself as an in-demand bass player in Germany. His
rock-solid playing has convinced many well-known blues musicians to use him on their gigs. Mirko´s young career highlights have included shows with Chris Rannenberg, Keith Dunn and Chicago blues legend Dave Myers.

Drummer Andre Werkmeister is the ideal counterpart for Mirko´s bass-playing. Currently residing in Köln, he's become known for his work with The Silvertones, Tommy Schneller, Keith Dunn, Teeny Tucker and many other German and international blues artists.

Doug Jay & the Blue Jays are at their core a quartet: harmonica/vocals, guitar, bass & drums. They can, however, frequently be
found working with additional special guest musicians. These include Berlin-based blues pianist par excellence Chris Rannenberg and Osnabrück organ/piano wizard Achim Lahrmann. Although not regular members of the group, their playing is always a welcome
addition to the band's small combo sound.

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