Mike Davis: band leader/ trombone, harmonica, accordian, vocalsThe music seed was planted at age 11 when Grandpa Davis gave him a harmonica and Grandpa Schlueter gave him a trombone. The blues bug caught hold of him after seeing Freddie King at a KEXL radio Independence Day Festival.
He spent 16 year on the board of directors of The San Antonio Blues Society and most notably spearheaded the placement of the historical marker at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel commemorating the 1936 recording sessions of Robert Johnson. He helped create the Blues in the Schools program. He also facilitated the SABS involvement as the only sanctioned blues festival at Fiesta which became the Fiesta Blues Heritage Series. He subsequently served for 4 years as Fiesta Commissioner.
Mike has played with The Sonny Boy Lee Blues Band, Miss Neesie and the Earfood Orchestra and The Crimson Jazz Band.
George Briscoe/saxophone
George has been performing professionally on saxophones, clarinets and flute since 1979. He studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and is a graduate of UTSA. He has performed in Israel, throughout the Southern USA, on board the Mississippi Queen and at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, as well as being a guest performer with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band several times. He is the founder and leader of The Crimson Jazz Orchestra in San Antonio and has been a member of numerous groups throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Maurice "Mike" Sanders/trumpet, vocals
Mike has been playing trumpet and singing blues in San Antonio for close to 40 years. After spending decades as bandleader of the show band "Toat Lee Bluz" he currently performs with The S.A. Blue Cats.
David Katakalos/bass
In the 1970s, joined the transitioning Home Cookin’ band with Vance Villastrigo and the Lucke brothers (David & Steve). With Villastrigo and drummer John Lopez, formed the Woodland Trio and subsequently did an extended house gig backing singer, Roxanne Krezdorn at Good Time Charlie’s on Broadway. For a time joined pianist Bruce Edwards with Dave Lucke and Steve Glaeser working various eastside clubs. With Andy Biskin, formed a bass and clarinet duo for an extended house engagement at Le Bistro in Market Square.
In the early 80’s, moved to Austin: gigs with Take 4 (including Paul Glasse), Animal Crackers (with Christy Palumbo & Jeff Barnes), Ernest Needham house pianist at the Driskill Hotel, and the Little Big Band at Esther’s Follies accompanying Leova Rosanoff in short musical skits. Began making weekly trips to San Antonio for engagements with Ron Wilkins at Bogart’s.
While in Austin made friends with Gene Ramey who reconnected DK with Clifford “Honky Tonk” Scott. Together with Steve Lucke, became member of Clifford Scott’s Big 3 which subsequently became the Big 4 (with drummer C.C. Pinkston) in a battle of the bands on Congress at Piggy’s, taking Gene Ramey’s Austin All Stars. There before an all Austin audience the Big 4 blew out the AAS as Gene Ramey claimed “they cheated – they rehearsed!” But the truth is Clifford never rehearsed but Steve knew Clifford’s classic solos.
In the middle 80’s returned to San Antonio: engagements with guitarist Jackie King, violinist Sebastian Campesi (with guitarist Johnny Frisco). With Thom Miller formed Ice Men In A Hot Box playing various engagements on the St. Mary’s strip.
In the 90’s more stage work with Josephine Theater including Kander & Ebb’s All That Jazz and Peter Townsend’s revised Tommy. Other musicals include Nunsense and Forever Plaid at the Church Theater. Also in the “pit” for Tom Masinter’s Gone To Texas which was given several revisions and performances by both Josephine and the Church troupes.
Mark Stewart/ guitar, bass, vocals
Raised in San Antonio on a diet of rock-n-roll, R&B and classic C&W, Mark has been playing blues guitar since age 12. Previous bands include: Original Formula, The Mudcats, 5:01 Blues Band, and The Humble Blues All-Stars.
Urban Urbano/ drums
