The popular jump-swing ensemble Mighty Blue Kings are quickly becoming a Chicago institution, and look to have stepped up to the national stage. They recently signed a contract with The Work Group, a Sony, Inc.'s subsidiary, and made their major label debut, Live in Chicago, MBK's third, in the fall of '98. After selling 80,000+ copies of their first two records by themselves, Work Group picked them up. Since then, they've played a July private party for the entire Sony staff at a Miami Beach hotel, toured Europe, and opened for Tony Bennett. There's nothing particularly original about their music -- Reader critic Peter Margasak compares their take on 1940s jump blues to "What Sha Na Na was to 50s rock'n'roll."
Playing high-energy blues and jazz with wonderful vocals, they dress in suits which hearken back to the Green Mill's heyday. Going to one of their shows is enough to make you think you stepped back in time 40 years. The music is great and they are able to create a wonderful atmosphere, attracting crowds which range from young neo-hippies and punksters to 40- and 50-something business types.
Since nailing down the regular Tuesday night gig at the Green Mill, the MBK have gone on to be featured performers in almost every noted Chicago venue, and even a showcase at Austin's South By Southwest music conference. Says Tribune critic Howard Reich, "...seemingly out of nowhere, they have burst onto the Chicago music scene fully formed and ready to conquer the world."
The veteran roster of talented musicians includes singer Ross Bon (who played with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith [you can hear him on 1991's Money Talks and 1995's Bag Full of Blues] and Dave Specter for awhile), bassist Jimmy Sutton (who performed in Chicago's late rockabilly Moondogs), guitarist Gareth Best, saxman Jerry "Big J" DeVivo, and drummer Bob Carter. Pianist Donny Nichilo now plays with a similar band, called The Big Swing. Saxophonist Sam Burckhardt is also no longer with the band.
Their self-released debut CD, Meet Me in Uptown, has both originals and jump-blues covers. Their second album, recorded at Streeterville Studios, is called Come One, Come All. On their own label, R-Jay, it's very similar. They also contributed a song to the Marshall Field's United Way benefit album, Songs To Dream By.
You can email them at: theMBKs@aol.com.
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