What has a little bit o' soul, a whopping measure of funk, and a whole lotta blues? Why, that sounds like the Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band, of course! On July 22, 2008 the dynamic duo will be releasing their sophomore album, Overnight Sensation, on the Delta Groove Records label. Featuring the electrifying soul-blues vocals of Mr. Jackie Payne, and the fretwork of guitarist Steve Edmonson, Overnight Sensation promises to be a red-hot collection of soulful blues music and R&B stompers.
Both Payne and Edmonson are seasoned veterans of the blues music and R&B scenes. Jackie Payne began singing professionally at the young age of 13, and in the 30+ years since has performed with such talents as T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, Freddy King, and Etta James, among many others. Payne has also toured as the lead vocalist with The Johnny Otis Show, performed with the popular touring band the Dynatones, and has pursued an acclaimed solo career. A natural-born showman with a silky, soulful voice, Payne usually has an audience in the palm of his hand from the time that he walks on the stage.
Steve Edmonson is a dynamite guitarist with great tone and emotion, in the vein of Jimmie Vaughan, Duke Robillard, or Ronnie Earl. The son of folk musician Travis Edmonson (of Bud and Travis fame), Steve rode alongside his father as he toured and performed with folk and blues music legends like Josh White, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and Lightnin' Hopkins. The younger Edmonson has earned his stellar reputation as a musician, performing behind folks like James Cotton, Maria Muldaur, Buddy Miles, and Van Morrison.
The Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band boasts of an equally accomplished rhythm section comprised of blues music vets Bill Singletary on bass guitar, and drummer Nick Otis. Singletary is another former alumnus of the hard-working Dynatones band, while Otis is the son of R&B legend Johnny Otis. Nick has toured as part of his father's band for over 20 years, performing alongside such electrifying presences as Screamin' Jay Hopkins, Etta James, Little Milton, and Big Joe Turner, among many others.
Overnight Sensation was produced by David Z, who had brought his subtle hand and firm direction to albums by such blues musicians as Buddy Guy, Ana Popovic, Tab Benoit, and the Mannish Boys. The Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band will be appearing at several blues festivals in support of the new album, but in the meantime you can hear samples from the Overnight Sensation album on the Delta Groove website.
The Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band's Overnight Sensation
