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South Michigan Avenue An American Blues Band Non Illigitimis Carborundum |
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WINTER 1998: 2120 South Michigan Avenue is founded by players from "Down Home Blues," a former Massachusetts-based blues band, and "The Jaywalkers," a New Hampshire blues/rock group. SPRING 1998: 2120 records its first CD. SUMMER 1999: Young Czech guitarist, Jirka Hokes, plays with 2120 on several dates to audience acclaim. WINTER 2000: 2120 plays first of a series of annual concerts at Manchester City Library with pianist Mark Naftalin, keyboardist for the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band. SPRING 2000: Second 2120 CD is recorded. SUMMER 2000: First European tour. 2120 plays 5 dates in 3 cities in Czech Republic, sets attendance record at Prague's Jazz Club Zelezna. WINTER 2001: 2120 and Mark Naftalin play "A Tribute to the Paul Butterfield Band" at Club Passim in Harvard Square, where in 1966 Butterfield helped introduce the blues to mainstream youth culture. SUMMER 2001:2120 backs David Maxwell at Club Passim. Mike Turk sits in. SPRING 2002: Boston guitarist Peter "Hi-Fi" Ward and veteran blues drummer, John Hoik, join Charlie Sawyer in the new 2120 after The Jaywalkers resume their previous band. SPRING 2002: Seasoned blues duo Francine Calo, vocals, and Paul Calo, guitar, begin six-month collaboration with 2120. (Fran still performs with the band on occasion) SUMMER 2002: 2120 opens the Manchester Jazz and Blues Festival. JULY 2002: 2120 vocalist and harmonica player, Charlie Sawyer, fronts Prague jazz/blues ensemble "The Groove," with Jirka Hokes on guitar on 8-date tour of Czech Republic [See Charlie and The Groove Juice Special.] WINTER 2003: Sunny Crownover joins 2120 as featured vocalist. A new sound takes shape as Texas swing and a hint of country deepen band's Chicago roots. Repertoire now includes duets and 3-part harmonies. SUMMER 2003: 2120, now truly an American blues band, releases 3rd CD. SUMMER 2004: Band plays to packed house at Coolidge Corner Cinema in summer blues series at screening of "The Howlin' Wolf Story." SUMMER 2004: 2120 opens for the Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor, at the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH WINTER 2005: 2120 headlines Cambridge blues show with guest artists Chris Stovall Brown, Sweet Willie D and Brad Faucher. See 2-page Boston Phoenix review: Cellars By Starlight by veteran entertainment reporter Ted Drazdowski.
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