Kenny Wayne releases new album
Kelowna bluesman Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has a new album out.
“Inspired by the Blues” was recorded in Edmonton and produced by Wayne himself.
It features 11 original songs, plus a live bonus track of “Georgia on My Mind” recorded in Mexico.
The Boogie Woogie Hall of Famer’s tenth release includes special guests Billy Branch on harmonica, guitarist Duke Robillard and B.B. King’s long-time bass player, Russell Jackson, who’s now a member of the new B.B. King Blues Band.
“I have always said that each time I record a new album this one is my best, and each time I’ve been right; however, I should’ve said that each time it gets better,” Wayne said. “This recording is truly better and with the help of my ace band members and guest artists, it surpasses my previous recordings.
“I wanted to pay tribute to two of my favourite musical legends that have both passed on: Ray Charles and Fats Domino. I also wanted to bring back that classic style of blues that has been missed for years.
“I love that jump blues and boogie-woogie. That’s where my heart is at. I’m just trying to keep that style alive. That’s classic stuff. And I’m at that classic age, so it all works out.”
“Inspired by the Blues” is Wayne’s fourth album for Stony Plain Records. His 2011 first album for the label, “An Old Rock On a Roll,” garnered him a nomination for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award from the Blues Foundation, as well as being awarded two 2012 Living Blues magazine awards — for Best New Contemporary Blues Recording of 2011 and one for Wayne as Most Outstanding Musician (keyboard).”
Wayne, 74, was born in Spokane, raised in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans, but has been a long-time resident of B.C.He settled in Vancouver some 30 years ago, and is now based in Kelowna.
He tours all over the world, but can be seen regularly in the Thursday School of Blues jam sessions at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The next sessions are Oct. 25, Nov. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m.