The Delta Sonics have been playing in Colorado since 1992, and have established themselves as one of the finest blues acts in the area with their solid musicianship and exciting live performances. Their musical stylings include Chicago Blues, West Coast Swing, New Orleans R&B, and some early Rock n' Roll.
Besides averaging 120 gigs a year, the band was featured at notable regional festivals like the Mile High Blues Festival (2009), Blues From the Top (2006 & 2007) Greeley Blues Fest ( 2006 & 2009)Belvedere Blues Fest ( 2008) , Pearl St. Brews and Blues Fest (2007 & 2009) and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Main Stage( 2009) to name a few.
Al Chesis was one of the only local harmonica players to be featured at the SPAH Convention held in Denver in 2006 and also appeared on Mark Hummel's Harmonica Blowout with harp heavyweights Magic Dick, Kim Wilson, Jason Ricci, and Mark Hummel himself in Denver and Colorado Springs in October 2008.
The band was featured at the 1997, 1998, and 2001 Denver Blues & Bones Festival, the Boulder/Lyons Blues Festival five times, the Yellowstone Jazz Festival, and the Westword Music Showcase in 1996 and 1997. They have opened for many nationally known blues artists, including Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Taj Mahal, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, The Radiators, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tommy Castro, and Charlie Musselwhite.. In 1999 and 2004, the band brought blues piano legend Pinetop Perkins to Colorado for two successful tours. Most recently, The Delta Sonics have also backed Steadyrollin Bob Margolin , Big Bill Morganfield, Bo Diddley (2004), and Pinetop Perkins on their recent club and festival performances in Colorado. They are a sought after back-up band for national blues artists.
|
Al has played in Colorado since the mid-1980's after moving to Denver from Washington, D.C. There he played in the Mojo-Matics for five years, opening shows for Albert Collins, Elvin Bishop, and others. Al has shared the stage with Canned Heat, Tommy Castro, and Homesick James.
He has also done studio work for two PBS movie soundtracks and Denver area radio stations, including KBCO, KUVO and the FOX. Al has toured locally and nationally with Muddy Waters' son Big Bill Morganfield, appearing at venues in Colorado, Utah, and Wisconsin, as well as at the prestigious Chicago Blues Festival in 2002.
Recently, Al has toured regionally with Pinetop Perkins, Steadyrollin' Bob Margolin, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Al has been endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas since 1992. |
 |
| |
Al Chesis ~ Harmonica/Vocals
Photo by: Rob Stuerkh |
|
From Los Angeles, Jeremy has been based in Denver and Colorado Springs for the last 6 years where he fronted the Shuffletones and played with the Jeremy Vasquez Band. The Shuffletones CD Chicago Sessions featuring Jeremy and Ronnie Shellist, was recorded at Nick Moss's Blue Bella studios in Chicago and has received great revues in Blues Revue and other publications.
Jeremy was featured at the Blues Under the Bridge Festival and toured the country with Chicago harmonica ace Bill Lupkin. |
 |
| We're happy to have him as the newest member of the Delta Sonics. |
Jeremy Vasquez ~ Guitar/ Vocals |
|
John began his music career in the Midwest over 40 years ago. Starting as a drummer at age 8, he switched to bass at age 13.
After moving to Colorado in the early seventies John was "Big Al" of "Big Al & the Hi-Fi's", a national touring oldies act.
John has also played in some of Colorado's top blues bands including "The Homewreckers," "Chicago Skinny," and "Blues Tonic."
He has played many of the Colorado blues festivals and has opened shows for national blues acts such as Kim Wilson, Albert Collins, and Delbert McClinton.
|
 |
| |
John Butler ~ Bass/ Vocals
Photo by Rob Stuerkh |
|
Tony is one of the finest drummers in Colorado. He not only excels in Blues , but also does lots of Jazz gigs and has played with the Colorado Municipal Band.
He has appearded with Big Bil Morganfield, Willie Houston, and the Shuffletones among others.
|
 |
| |
Tony Pantelis ~Drums
|
|
Willie Panker grew up in Chicago, where he began studying drums at the age of 10 and playing professionally at 14. He developed a strong interest in jazz and blues while studying under Muddy Waters' and Little Walters' drummer, Fred Below. He eventually was sent by Below to Roy Knapp, a world-renowned percussion and music theory educator, to continue his studies. Willie became involved in the Blues scene gigging with James Cotton, Junior Wells, Jimmy Rogers and the like.
Upon moving to New Orleans in the 80's, Willie became a sought-after sideman, drumming for Earl King, Allen Toussaint and Snooks Eaglin, and eventually forming his own group, The Iguanas . Some of the artists he has played with are John Mooney, Walter ‘Wolfman' Washington, Ronnie Earl, Kim Wilson, Mitch Woods, Fingers Taylor, James Harmon, Anson Funderburg, Gary Primich, Mark Hummel, Jumping Johnny Sansone, and more.
Willie has traveled the world over and performed at festivals, concerts and shows in every juke-joint from California to Miami. |
 |
| |
Willie Panker ~ Drums
Photo by John Ambrosino
|
|
