Dave Hannon & the Solid Sinners - roots/blues band
Dave Hannon moved to Boston in 1983 to attend Berklee College of Music. His interest in and love of jazz and blues led him to start his first blues band in 1986. This band eventually morphed into The One Eyed Jacks, a high-powered show band that featured Hannon on vocals and blues harp, and Kevin Barry (Paula Cole; Dennis Brennan; Mighty Sam MacLean) on guitar. The Jacks were packing clubs to capacity around Boston: The Tam; The Channel; Upstairs at The Rat; Green Street Station; The Plough and Stars (all gone now, except for the Plough). After the One Eyed Jacks split up in 1991, Hannon laid low, working in the fine arts field around Boston, honing his talents as an independent art installer and preparator, writing and playing music all the while, performing infrequently, doing session work in studios around town.
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Then, in 2001, Hannon was invited out to Chicago to record a cd of his original tunes at Delmark Records’ Riverside Studio. Released in late 2002, his cd, Blues Canon, features Delmark recording artist, Dave Specter (Son Seals; Hubert Sumlin) on guitar and Boston-based pianist, Tom West (Peter Wolf; Susan Tedeschi). Blues Canon has been critically acclaimed in blues publications internationally and is currently on radio playlists across the US and Europe. Listeners have been responding favorably to Hannon’s compelling vocal style as well as his ace harmonica work.
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In December, 2004, Hannon teamed up with local blues sensation, The Solid Sinners. This trio’s resume reads like a Who’s Who of the Blues. It features veteran blues guitarist, Charlie Baum (John Lee Hooker; Junior Wells and Buddy Guy); bassist, Dave Clarke (Radio Kings; Jerry Portnoy) and drummer Frosty Padgett (Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson). A forty five minute set of music from these guys is an upbeat roller coaster ride of rollicking and soulful music that will have the crowd on their feet, movin’ and groovin’ til the last notes sounds. When you hear Dave Hannon & the Solid Sinners, you’ll rediscover what made you love the blues in the first place.
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Perhaps the reason for the success of their musical efforts is their respect for the blues as an art form. A deep understanding of the history and aesthetic lineage of the music informs their playing, allowing them a truly contemporary voice while their feet are firmly planted in the roots of this uniquely American art form.
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