Meets Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

This is the collaboration of two groups with a similar musical approach, and vision. Carl Sonny Leyland has been a master of traditional blues, boogie woogie, and ragtime piano for many years. He has worked with and been the member of many stellar bands the world over including: Big Sandy and His Flyright Boys, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, and many others. Since living in Southern California, Carl has worked with several blues bands including James Harman where he met guitarist Nathan James. They have also recorded and toured together with the Jamie Wood band. During this time Carl and Nathan have talked about wanting to record and album together featuring Nathan's Duo partner Ben Hernandez, and Carl's trio w/ Marty Eggers on bass and Hal Smith on Drums. Back of CD liner notes: Since I started playing blues, about 27 years ago, I have been an admirer of the recordings made for RCA Bluebird between 1935 -1953. Artists such as Jazz Gillum, Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Washboard Sam, the first Sonny Boy Williamson & the fine musicians that accompanied them have remained a prime influence in my music to this day. Unfortunately this style of blues is generally overlooked, not to mention maligned, by the many devotees of the electric era that followed. Figuring I was in an army of one I had long since given up on the idea of meeting like minded players. Enter Nathan James & Ben Hernandez. Here finally were two young cats that were actually playing the kind of blues that I liked & playing it right. The idea of collaboration between Nathan & Ben & my trio was an obvious one. The authentic rhythms of drummer Hal Smith & bassist Marty Eggers would be the perfect foundation for the style we wished to create. Recorded at home by Nathan James the results are everything we had intended. Here are the authentic sounds of 1930s, 40s & early 50s blues, plus a couple of excursions outside of those genres, presented with some new tunes & a fresh approach. -Carl Sonny Leyland.