K.G. Jackson (Guitar/Vocals/Songwriter)K.G. has 25 years of professional experience and has been playing music in the Northwest since 1990. In 1997 his band “K.G. Jackson and Shakin’ Ground” was a Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award nominee for Best New Act. In 2006 he did a short stint in the band “Double Deuces” which was then nominated for Best New Act. He was also nominated in 2006 by the Cascade Blues Association in the Best Vocalist category in a final field of three that included Curtis Salgado. He has the ability to give a song what it asks for, what it needs, while at the same time putting his own indelible stamp on it making it his own. K.G. is also a prolific songwriter and writes many of the songs the band performs. These first class compositions are among the many things that set this combo apart from others in their field.
Dave Mathis (Harmonica and Vocals)
Dave has long been a Portland mainstay of the blues with 30 years of professional experience. Dave has most recently fronted “The Blues Police” with Steve Cameron. He also had a long stint playing with Kelly Jo Phelps and is featured on Kelly’s recording entitled “Traditional Blues” as well as one cut on “Shine Eyed Mister Zen”. Dave is also a two-time Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award Winner in the Traditional Blues Act category with the band “Sheila and Backwater Blues” for the years of 1996 & 1997. Dave is often a featured artist at Bill Rhoades’ yearly “Harmonica Blow-Off” which brings together the best harmonica talent the Northwest has to offer. Dave can blaze on the harmonica or play sweet and low with the best of them, and he is also a heartfelt true blues singer.
Fred Garner (Bass)
Fred has been on the Portland music scene since the early 90’s involved in many genres of music. Fred has complimented many different groups playing jazz, rock, pop, Cajun, country, African, and of course blues. Chances are if you’ve seen some of Portland’s top entertainers through the years, you’ve seen Fred up there on the bass anchoring the rhythm section. A partial list would include Paul Delay, Robbie Laws, Kenny Blue Ray, Kinzel & Hyde, Ob Addy, Chata Addy, JR Sims, and Rae Gordon. Fred, along with drummer Julian Brogi, combine to give this combo an unshakeable rock solid foundation upon which to build.
Julian Brogi (Drums)
A veteran of the London Pub Rock scene of the late 70’s, Julian escaped to the U.S. in the early 80’s. He toured and recorded with Atlanta based pop-rockers “Operator”. Julian went underground and resurfaced in Portland 10 years ago. Since then he has served lengthy stints with “Franco and the Stingers”, “Papa Salty”, and “Rae Gordon” among others. Julian, a consummate timekeeper and excellent interpreter of the feel of a song, is one of those rare “musical” drummers. Along the way he has teamed up with bassist Fred Garner, and together they have forged a bond, becoming quite a formidable rhythm section.
Candy Jackson (Accordion)Candy is the newest member of the band bringing Zydeco flavor by way of the accordion. Having played piano since childhood, she picked up the accordion after becoming passionate about Zydeco music and dance. She polished her chops at Port Townsend Blues camp under the direction of Jude Taylor, a zydeco veteran from Louisiana. She has been know to coax the Zydeco musicians traveling to the NW from Louisiana to take some extra time to show her the way it’s really done down south. Her influences include the great Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, Nathan Williams, Lil Malcom, Lyn August, John DeLafose, Jude Taylor, Sunpie, and Curley Taylor. Along with adding colorful fills and licks, Candy lights up the stage with her enthusiasm.