Blues maestro JOE BONAMASSA has confirmed the elder statesman of rock ‘n’ soul, the one-and-only Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith vocalist, guitarist and songwriter/producer STEVE WINWOOD will join him aboard the Keeping the Blues Alive Mediterranean Cruise II, departing Athens, Greece on August 23, 2022.
Birmingham (England) based Winwood began his musical career in “pick-up” bands, playing the Hammond C-3 organ and guitar, to support blues and rock legends such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley on their United Kingdom tours, and performing locally with the Muff Woody Jazz Band.
In 1963, at the tender age of 14, Winwood joined the Spencer Davis Group along with his older brother, the bass guitarist, Muff, who later became a successful record producer, and with Spencer Davis (guitar), and Pete York (drums).
In 1965 the Spencer Davis Group reached number one on the UK single’s chart with the Jackie Edwards penned number, “Keep On Running”.
Steve Winwood left this band in 1967 to form Traffic with drummer Jim Capaldi, guitarist Dave Mason, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood. While still working in Traffic, Winwood was brought in by Jimi Hendrix to play organ for “Voodoo Chile” on the Electric Ladyland album.
Winwood formed the short-lived supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and multi-instrumentalist Ric Grech in 1969.
He recorded his first (self-titled) solo album in 1977.
Winwood has won two Grammy awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic, in 2004. In 2005, Winwood was honoured as a BMI Icon at the annual BMI London Awards for his “enduring influence on generations of music makers”. In 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him as their No. 33 of 100 “Greatest Singers of All Time.”
Also appearing on the Keeping the Blues Alive Mediterranean Cruise II:
The highly esteemed two-times Grammy-nominated composer and talented Travis-picking guitarist TOMMY EMMANUEL from New South Wales, Australia
American blues guitarist, singer and composer Walter Trout
The authentic Missouri-raised blues singer and genius slide-guitarist SAMANTHA FISH
One of the worlds most versatile guitarists, ANA POPOVIC
The phenomenal British blues-rock band KING KING whose recent album “Maverick” we described as an “immeasurable experience...”
Also:
UK guitarist/vocalist KRIS BARRAS and his sizzling band
Austin-based indie/blues guitarist, singer and multi-instrumentalist JACKIE VENSON
Bristol-based, British multi-award-winning, genre-crossing artist ELLES BAILEY
Indiana duo THE COLD STARES
Plus many more!
Blues-rock fans can order tickets for the cruise from: www.bluesaliveatseaeurope.com
RAW RAMP 