Like a slow cooked gumbo, sometimes it takes some time for the taste to become sublime. The same may be said for these five gentlemen who have combined decades of playing in other groups into a stew of blues cooked to perfection... Five veteran bluesmen with long and storied careers playing America's original musical artform as handed down through the years by the black men and women whose lives were shaped by tribulation and hardship in the American south, largely at the hands of slavery, and refined and electrified in the big citys up north after emancipation. Long is the list of greats who formed and influenced these gentlemen today, and fortuitous circumstance brought them together while performing at Jamey's House of Music in Lansdowne PA, where they played with other well known blues acts.

AC and the Perps will take the stage for a one hour set at 7pm, and welcome guest jammers to perform from 8 to 10pm - offering support as needed.

AC Steel (Steve Solotist) is one of America's preeminent blues players, who cut his teeth performing overseas during the British blues invasion in the early 70's. What do guitar legends Peter Green, Bernie Marsden and Michel Schenker have in common with Steve?

Bernie Marsden and Michel Schenker were the guitarists to join UFO after Steve won the audition but passed on the position due to another commitment. Peter Green joined the Brunning Hall Band with former Fleetwood Mac bassist Bob Brunning and Savoy Brown pianist Bob Hall, some years after Steve left that band.

Back in the USA, Steve's own band Stockyard opened for the Allman Brothers, Chicago, Humble Pie, Pink Floyd, Savoy Brown, Mott the Hoople (where Steve was practically a member) and many others.

During his many years with Philadelphia's oldest blues band, the Dukes of Destiny, Steve shared the stage with nearly every big name blues outfit in existence. It was at Jamey's House of Music, where Steve played and sang with the Philly Blues Kings and the Girke-Davis Project, that he subsequently joined with core players from both bands to form his latest effort, AC Steel and the Perpetrators. The Perpetrators features seasoned bluesmen Jamey Reilly on bass, Glenn Bickel on keyboards and vocals, Frank McKitty on tenor sax and Paul Albrecht on drums. AC Steel and the Perpetrators takes inspiration from many of the artists that Steve rubbed shoulders with, and reinterprets many old standards and brings out new and original compositions.

Saxophonist Frank McKitty grew up in Queens, NY. After receiving a Bachelor Music, Saxophone and Flute in New Orleans, Frank returned to New York where, while working as a teamster and later in Special Markets and AP/AR for New Line Home Video during the day, had the opportunity to work with groups including, The Lynn Oliver Orchestra, The Stan Rubin Orchestra, Los Tremendos de Colombia, Los Chevres de Columbia, Las Chicas and other latin and jazz groups in addition to his own small group.

Frank’s performance experience includes venues; Birdland, the Iridium, the Kat Club, the DuPont/Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Chris’ Jazz Cafe and the premiere of an original composition at Merkin Hall, New York.

Since relocating to the Philadelphia area, Frank has been active in the Blues scene working freelance and as a regular with “Kitty Mayo and Venom Blues” appearing on their new release “Jamland” (2024) and being inducted into the Delaware Rock and Roll Society Hall of Fame in 2023. Additionally, until 2020, Frank was teaching Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet and Oboe privately. In 2023 Frank released his self-produced album “Praxis” available on all of your favorite streaming services.

Glenn Bickel is a veteran of the piano and Hammond organ, as a respected keyboardist with numerous blues artists over many years on stage and in the recording studio.

Glenn is a founding member of Leroy Hawkes and the Hipnotics, opening act to John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, The Commitments, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Chris Cain. Glenn was a part-time member of Chris Cain's band and was house keyboardist for Randy Lippincott at Warmdaddy's for 7 years.

He is father to two talented musicians, The Bickel Brothers who follow him in the music tradition, and is a software developer who enjoys fine woodworking in his spare time.

Drummer Paul Albrecht, a lifelong Philadelphia-area resident, has been performing professionally since he was 15. He has a long, diverse professional background in American music styles, primarily rock, pop, blues, and jazz. He attended Berklee College Of Music(1973-74), studying with legendary jazz drummer Alan Dawson, then continued his studies locally with Nick Moffo. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Paul performed extensively in the Tri-State area with many groups, playing rock,Top 40, disco, country ,new wave-the popular styles of the time, and played with Philly jazz legends The Visitors(Earl and Carl Grubbs) for a brief period.

In 1986, Paul began a steady gig with legendary Philadelphia-based jazz virtuoso multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Bruce Mills. Mr. Mills’group was the house band at Jewel’s, playing opening and intermissions for many national and international jazz artists.The group then became the house band at Sterling’s Place,performing 3-4 nights a week until Mr. Mills’ passing in 1989. Philly jazz legends Jymie Merritt(bass) and Eddie McFadden(guitar), among others, were members of the group for a period.

During this period Paul also began his own jazz group, which he led until 2006 .He featured many notable Philadelphia jazz artists, including Dylan Taylor, Chuck Taylor, Bill Zinno,Tim Price, Paul Gehman, Denise Montana, Mark Kramer, Kenny Kellem, Cliff Kellem, Frank Cook ,Joe Stevenson, Ed Crockett, Rich Budesa, and John Ellis, among others.As well as restaurant,club, and private work, the group also performed at the Berks Jazz Fest, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Peco Energy Jazz Festival,The Philadelphia Free Library, and the Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts. The 1990s also saw Paul doing plenty of rock ,blues, oldies, and private engagements with many area groups, including a stint with blues diva Deb Callahan.

Bassist Jamey Reilly was trained on accordian, piano and guitar at a young age, and has held down the low end since 1965 when he joined the pop group, "The Abstract Design." He has been an avowed blues lover since 1970 when he did a stint with legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker, and tried to coax Son House out of retirement. It was a reunion performance at Boston's Fenway Theatre that Jamey pulled together, with Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield that cemented his life long addiction to the blues.

Jamey has done gigging around the east coast and has backed some well known national blues names. His playing can be found on a number of CDs by various artists. He spent several decades in numerous roles in the professional audio engineering and live music industry. He pursued a degree in Physical Therapy after two separate accidents with a car and a power saw left his right hand partially paralyzed.

After spending many years on the road and living in various parts of the country, he finally set down roots in Philadelphia and joined the vibrant Philly music scene. Jamey opened the popular Jamey's House of Music, Livehouse, restaurant and bar in Lansdowne PA.

Jamey enjoys an old-school pocket-playing style with melodic embellishments, and provides a solid bottom to the music on his 5 string bass. He fell in love with the low end while growing up listening to the great bass players of the '50's on his parents hi-fi, and spent a life-time seeking the holy grail of flawless bass reproduction during his many years in pro-audio. An hour long BLUES DELUXE interview may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm3hjBigBGg.

https://www.acsteelperps.com/

New Live EP Jamification Station Vol. 1 Reaches #5 on Relix/Jambands.com Radio Chart Top 30 Debra Devi plays "dreamy blues-rockers and blistering psychedelic jams" (Relix) flavored with her soulful voice and expressive guitar playing.... Devi's new live EP, Jamification Station Vol. 1, captures her Jersey City NJ band at full throttle. The EP reached #5 on the Relix/Jambands.com Top 30 Radio Chart, staying on the chart for three months. Gov't Mule bassist Jorgen Carlsson joined Devi on her previous EP A Zillion Stars Overhead. Produced by Devi and mixed by Sylvia Massy, Americana Highways calls it "exciting and mesmerizing." Devi has opened for Joan Osborne, Jesse Malin, Ana Popovic, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Uprooted (Michael Glialiki) and Marshall Crenshaw. In 2023, she co-headlined the Haverford Music Festival with Joe Louis Walker and The Bongos, and the East Pete Blues Festival with Greg Sover. Devi's film and television credits include songs in Tenderness, starring Russell Crowe and Laura Dern; Getting Off, starring Brooke Smith and Christine Harnos; Fight Like a Girl, starring Maureen O'Shea, the Sundance Cable documentary Stripped: Exposing the Business of Baring It All, and several episodes of VH-1's Behind the Music. Devi's book The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John) won the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award. She gives her "Language of the Blues" talk at festivals, universities, theaters and venues, including Crown Guitar Festival in Montana, A. Schwab's in Memphis, TedX Jersey City, NYU and Danny Clinch Gallery in Asbury Park. Devi endorses Homestead Amplifiers.

https://www.debradevi.com/

J.P. Reali is a blues guitarist and singer/songwriter currently living in Newark, Delaware.... Originally from New York, J.P. spent nearly 40 years living and performing in the Washington, D.C. area where he was nominated for multiple Washington Area Music Awards. He won the D.C. Blues Society battle of the bands three time, and competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. J.P. has released 3 self-produced albums that have all received critical acclaim: 2012’s “The Road To Mississippi,” 2019’s “A Highway Cruise” and 2024’s “Blues Since Birth”. In 2021, J.P. relocated to Delaware to concentrate on performing and guitar teaching, sharing his passion for the blues by helping the next generation of musicians learn from his years of performing and lessons he took with master guitar teachers including Jorma Kaukonen, Ernie Hawkins, and Mike Auldrige.

BLUESTIME! House rockin', juke joint jumpin’ electric blues played by folks that grew up listening, watching and learning from the Golden Age Blues Masters. "After connecting only a few short years ago, BLUESTIME! has become a standout in the local/regional scene. If you caught our shows at the regional blues/roots festivals this past summer then you know we leave the stage with no gas left in the tank! Anglesea Blues Festival in North Wildwood, Gypsy Moon Blues Festival in East Petersburg (3 years running), Lancaster Roots and Blues -We tore 'em all up. Our local Philly area gigs include multiple appearances at the Grape Room including the Philly Blues Society Bluesfest, Liberty Musicfest, Parx Casino, Dawson’s Pub, Great Barn Taproom and Taphouse, Crooked Eye Brewery, Mermaid Inn, Pickering Creek Inn. We played multiple gigs at Tellus 360, the premier live music venue in Lancaster, Pa. Our mix of original music combined with covers of some of our favorite artists’ work create a blend that “don’t need no hot sauce” to get you off your hands, out of your seats and on the dance floor. We may be old, but we are bold and we leave nothing untold. Not the flower but the roots - workout!

https://jpreali.com/

https://www.bluestimephilly.com/

Clarence Spady is thoroughly motivated when it comes to his career.  “Here we are in the saddle,” says the veteran blues guitarist.  “I’ve got both hands on the reins right now.  So I don’t plan on letting go.”  Excellent news for contemporary blues fans who are well aware of Spady’s acclaimed 1996 album Nature of the Beast and his equally impressive 2008 followup Just Between Us.  ... By any standard, Clarence embarked on his musical odyssey at an uncommonly tender age. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Spady began playing guitar when he was only five years old due to encouragement from two guitarists in his immediate family, his father (also named Clarence) and his Uncle Fletchey. “In the beginning, I really didn’t work hard. God gave all of us a gift,” Clarence says. “It was just innate.” The family blues band jammed every weekend at his uncle’s pad in New Jersey. For his stage debut (also at age five), he played Tommy Tucker’s “Hi-Heel Sneakers” with the band at the local Elks Club, for a special close to the evening’s show.

During the early ‘80s, Clarence joined a touring RandB band, A Touch of Class. Working with John Pougiese, the musical director, was like going to Berklee for two years, because he learned horn arrangements, harmony, rhythm and the chord progressions he still uses today. From there, he joined Pennsylvania-based singer Greg Palmer’s band, and spent six years touring with that Top 40 RandB band. The dawn of the ‘90s brought a return to his roots, and he put together the West Third Street Blues Band in the unlikely town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the place he still calls home to this day. A union excavator by day, Spady played music at night and began writing his own originals.

By the mid-‘90s, the success of Nature of the Beast helped influence his nomination for a 1997 W.C. Handy Award for Best New Blues Artist. The record had legs, and Clarence toured for six years behind that release. During that time, he also picked up what has become a standard monthly rotation at Terra Blues in New York City’s iconic Greenwich Village, exposing countless tourists from all over the world in search of an authentic blues experience to Spady’s sound.

His sophomore release, Just Between Us, garnered a 2009 Blues Music Award nomination for Soul Blues Album of the year. We can all look forward to a new Clarence Spady album in 2021. Until then, “Surrender” gives us an exciting taste of what the future holds. “You’re going to hear a maturity of writing more with what we’re getting ready to do, even though it’s gonna have energy,” Spady says. Spady doesn’t record nearly often enough, but the luxuriously downbeat and altogether cathartic “Surrender” confirms that when he does, he’s a truly gripping presence.”

Jamey's is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam. This FREE ADMISSION event features many of the top regional and national players every week, and welcomes amateurs and weekend warriors to join on stage to celebrate the beautiful heritage of the blues while enjoying the best breakfast anywhere hands-down and superb adult libations - all in the coolest live music venue on the planet, featuring the best backline in the business.

Blues lovers and players know that this is the best place to come for some really good and inexpensive eats, beer on tap from Conshohocken Brewing Company, fresh ground coffee and espresso, great music, and friendly people. The vibe is home-like and cool, and the sound is out of this world. Jamey's provides a full professional grade backline, so players only need to bring their instrument or personal microphone to jump up on stage and jam. Just roll out of bed and right on over to Jamey's!

The open mic jam runs from 1 pm to 3 pm, and the host band lays down a set from noon to 1 pm to get things rolling and then supports guest jammers as needed. The always rocking SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH rocks a a HAPPY HOUR from noon to 1pm. Featuring two bucks off draft beers and hard ciders, and a dollar off wines! Our tasty and immensely popular brunch menu is available the whole time to make your tummy as happy as your ears with freshly prepared eats. It sure doesn't get better than this!

The Host band is the fantastic blues super-group, the Philly Blues Kings featuring Clarence Spady.

Blues lovers new and old can come to play, eat, drink, chat and enjoy a day soaked in the blues. Many guests also like to host gatherings or parties during the brunch, as there are tables and chairs for dining, and comfortable seats to listen to the music - and it does not cost them a thing to meet up there! Plus, it is wheelchair accessible and has plenty of free local parking. Being right in the center of downtown Lansdowne, next to the train station, there is abundant public transportation as well.

Check out the mouthwatering brunch menu on our menu page. There is a modest $5 food or drink minimum per person to help keep the lights on.

No reservations are needed. Just load up some friends and head on down!

https://www.phillyblueskings.com

https://clarencespady.com/

Lansdowne is a town known for its tight knit business community which can result in some pretty cool collaborations....

Vinyl Revival is partnering with Jamey’s House of Music to bring a Movie Night to Lansdowne!

Curated by Andrea DiFabio, head over to Jamey’s, 32 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, Pa., on each fifth Thursday of the month to enjoy an independent film screening.

The inaugural event, on Thursday, January 30th, 2025, at time features the feature-length documentary “Heart of the Beat” by director Jill R. Frechie.

Produced by John Ricciutti, and in association with Main Line Television, “Heart of the Beat,” tells the story of Hooters’ drummer David Uosikkinen. David shares his life story, and the ups and downs and ins and outs of being a drummer with The Hooters and other projects for over 40 years. His upbeat and infectious personality resonates throughout the film as he tells the truth about his struggles of being an artist, an addict, and a musician. He reminds us that we are all human.

Frechie is a Telly Awards winner and Emmy nominated filmmaker. “Heart of the Beat” has won multiple awards including Best Shot in Philly Documentary at the 26th annual FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia in 2023.

Vinyl Revival moved to 26 N. Lansdowne Avenue in January, 2023, and now has a permanent home at 19 N. Lansdowne Avenue since February, 2024. Since the move, there is no longer a suitable space to host film screenings in the new location. Recognizing this, Jamey Reilly approached Andrea about forming a "Lansdowne collaboration" by offering to host the popular movie nights along with Andrea, and the rest is history! Jamey has the space, a screen and incredible sound, and Andrea has the great projector and a rolodex (so to speak) full of film makers.

Vinyl Revival is a destination for people who want a unique entertainment and shopping experience. Not your ordinary record store, Vinyl Revival offers not only new and vintage vinyl records, but hosts live music events, screens independent films, and sells handmade and up-cycled artful home and fashion accessories.

"We love music…and movies…and artful home and fashion accessories with rock ‘n’ roll style…so we decided to offer them all in one cool shopping and entertainment destination.

Not your ordinary record store, Vinyl Revival stocks new LPs from your favorite bands or previously played records that might be new to you.

We also screen indie films, host concerts, stand up comedy events, and coproduce entertainment events.

We’re a gathering place for like-minded people – those who love their music on a physical format.

Stop in and check out all our new, previously owned, and collectible vinyl."

https://vinylrevivalrecords.com/

Native New Yorker, keyboardist, singer and songwriter, Dave is a 30 year veteran of the Blues and American Roots music scenes.... With the release of his 7th CD, “Rhythm, Blues and Boogie”, featuring special guest legendary drummer Bernard Purdie and others, the 3x Blues Music Award nominee returns to his own soulful roots, having toured the world both as a solo artist and with his own Dave Keyes Band.For much of the last 10 years, in addition to his own band and solo gigs, Dave worked with bluesman Popa Chubby, and R and R queen Ronnie Spector until her recent passing. Previously Dave had lengthy stints with such iconic and varied artists as Odetta, David Johansen, Bo Diddley, rockabilly legend Sleepy LaBeef and gospel great Marie Knight.

Dave’s music finds its roots in deep blues, soul and rock and roll. These roots are the foundation of his recent albums and vibrant live shows. His well-received previous albums are rambunctious sets of mostly original material that range from New Orleans second line funk to slow sensual blues, swaggering shuffles and boisterous rocking boogie woogie. Dave’s live work with his own band has earned him many kudos including winning the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge. He has made numerous festival appearances both in the US and abroad including 3 appearances at France’s prestigious Cognac Blues Festival and annual appearances at Lugano, Switzerland’s Blues to Bop festival among many others. He also worked as a sideman for a who’s who of roots, soul and Rock and Roll music masters such as Eddy Clearwater, Big Jay McNeely, Tracy Nelson, Gladys Knight, Pam Tillis, Darlene Love, and the late great Ruth Brown, Lou Rawls and Levon Helm.

Dave’s extensive Broadway and TV music credits include being the conductor for the 6 year Broadway run of the Grammy winning show “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”. Other credits include most recently music directing “Rock and Roll Man” a show based on the life of trailblazing DJ Alan Freed.

“To listen to - and talk with - Benny Turner is to be in the presence of living blues history.” – Melanie Young, Living Blues Magazine

A veteran musician of more than fifty years, Benny Turner has played everywhere from the Chitlin’ Circuit, to Europe, Japan, Australia, and all points in between. Content to be a sideman in support of the many giants he has worked with, in 2010 the time came for Benny to take his rightful place in the spotlight on center stage, to the delight of blues fans worldwide.

Born in Gilmer, Texas on October 27, 1939, Benny and his older brother, blues legend Freddie King, learned to play guitar from their mother, Ella Mae (King) Turner and her brothers Leon and Leonard King. While Freddie was captivated by the guitar and wanted to be a performer, Benny just enjoyed the music and the opportunities to share it with the older brother he admired and adored. The boys used to race home from school to catch the last few minutes of a radio show called “In the Groove,” where they heard the music of artists such as Louis Jordan, Charles Brown, Hank Williams, and T-Bone Walker. After the family moved to Chicago in the early 50’s, what began as parallel exposure and experiences for the brothers ultimately diverged as Freddie went in one direction and Benny pursued other opportunities that came his way. While best known today as a bass player, Benny played guitar during many of his gigs in the early years, both locally in Chicago and on the road. A last-minute request to sit in with Freddie’s band to cover for Robert Elem at the Squeeze Club gave Benny his first introduction to playing bass, with some “on-the-job training” at its finest!

During the late 50’s Benny played guitar with gospel group The Kindly Shepherds, and is on a handful of their recordings for the Nashboro label (guitar and background vocals) from that time. He was also playing bass with Freddie King at legendary Chicago clubs such as the Squeeze Club and Walton’s Corner. While at Walton’s Corner, Benny met RandB singer Dee Clark, and was invited to join him on the road. Within a few days, his first exposure to touring and life on the road began, at none other than The Apollo Theater in New York, and continued at other legendary theaters including The Uptown Theater in Philadelphia, The Howard Theater in Washington DC and The Regal Theater in Chicago. Benny played in the band with Phil Upchurch, and cherishes their friendship to this day. It was an exciting time, during which Dee had his Billboard hit “Raindrops” (1961).

https://www.davekeyes.com/

https://www.bennyturner.com/