The Sharkskin Revue is 9 pieces of swinging jumping jiving jass, blues, and rhythm led by Muddy Award winner Johnnie Ward, notorious elder statesman of Portland’s blues and jazz scene. Johnnie's lifelong commitment to this classic American music has never sounded more modern as he leads the band on tenor saxophone, harmonica, saxcello, and vocals.
Featuring original songs plus a wide ranging repertoire of material from Ella Johnson to Howlin’ Wolf to Thelonious Monk, The Sharkskin Revue brings authentic sounds and rhythms of prohibition era swing bands up through postwar jump blues and into the present. Barrelhouse piano, sly jass and reefer tunes, guitar boogie, New Orleans R&B,—it’s all here and it all grooves.
Portland’s regional acoustic roots and blues favorite, Lauren Sheehan is The Sharkskin Revue’s featured chanteuse, fueling the party with her “voice dipped in good sippin’ whiskey.” The Sharkskin Revue is driven by Steve “Thousand Dollar” Cleveland on piano, bassist Sonny Boyardee, ace drummer Jay Lundell, and guitarist Whit Draper, formerly with Muddy Award winners Back Porch Blues.
Bandleader Ward has assembled a crack horn section for the mission, with Dave Duffield (formerly with Mem Shannon) on cornet. “Jumpin’” Josh Gilbert and Calen Uhlig, a stalwart with the Astoria-based Bond Street Blues Band trade off on baritone and tenor saxophones.
In the short two years the band has been together it has received glowing reviews and accolades from fans, booking agents, swing dancers, and fellow musicians. Come see what all the fun is about!
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