Jo Wymer - Vocals/Lead Guitar/Piano/Harmonica/Percussion/Bass/Accordion
Helen Radtke - Violin/Guitar/ Percussion/ Back up vocals/Flute
Jim Cooper - Drums/ Harmonica/ Guitar
John Wolf - Bass / Guitar / Back Up Vocals
Influences
Patty Griffin, Bonnie Raitt, Eva Cassidy, Billie Holiday, Rory Block, Sue Foley, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Etta James, Elmore James, Lightnin Hopkins, Sam Cooke, Oscar Peterson, Prince, Melissa Etheridge, Lyle Lovette, BB King, Link Wray, Hank Garland, The Black Keys, Will Hoge, Jason Isbell, Grace Potter, Deborah Coleman, Diana Krall, Joan Osborne, Chuck Berry, Pat Benatar, Justin Townes Earl, Johnny Lee Hooker, Sister Wynonna Carr, Shelby Lynne, Mae West, Jayne Mansfield, Greta Garbo, Warren Haynes (solo) and Johnny Winter, George Benson, Pat Karwan. THIS LIST IS REALLY ENDLESS BUT THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO INFLUENCE US THE MOST!
Since 2005 when they stepped into the local area music scene, Jo Wymer and the Itty Bitty Band have become a respected, skillful, musical partnership of songwriting, musicianship, and superior live performance. Jo Wymer (a resident of Freehold, NJ - a town known for producing some prominent musicians) leads this collaboration and has been making a name for herself, as well as her Itty Bitty Band, all throughout the Mid-Atlantic States.
In the past few years she has proven herself as an accomplished songwriter and band leader.....She has been selected as a finalist in several national songwriting and band competitions such as:
2005 John Lennon Songwriting Contest - semifinalist
2005 Billboard Blues Songwriters Challenge - semifinalist
2006 Telluride Brews and Blues Acoustic Blues Competition, placing 4th
2007 International Songwriting Contest - semifinalist
2006 and 2007 International Blues Challenge
2007 and 2008 Mamapalooza All Star Showcase
2005 VH1 New Artist Jam
Many of Jo's lyrics have been featured in American Songwriter Magazine. In recent news....Jo and her band were NOMINATED for "Top Blues Band" at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Asbury Music Awards. Jo's powerful, searing vocals got her a nominations in 2007 and 2008 for an Asbury Music Award in the category of "Top Female Vocal".
CHECK OUT WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING ABOUT JO WYMER AND THE ITTY BITTY BAND
SHINEBONE MAGAZINE - April 2008
By Rob Wheary
Jo Wymer and the Itty Bitty Band
There’s a quote from Kid Rock that says, “If it looks good, you’ll see it; if it sounds good, you’ll hear it; if it’s marketed right, you’ll buy it; but... if its real, you’ll feel it.”
Jo Wymer is real.
Playing the blues from the guitar and with a voice that rivals that of Heart’s Nancy Wilson, one of the greatest voices in rock history, Wymer brings out the soul of the music that she is singing about. Her song, “Boulevard” is one of the best that I’ve heard in a long time.
All of the tracks that I heard were live songs, so I can only hope that there is more to come from this artist in the future, so that more can feel what music needs today, a singer like this.
THE TWO RIVER TIMES - UNCLE MIKE - Feb 2008
11th ANNUAL BROOKDALE GUITAR SHOW
Next up was blueswoman Jo Wymer & The Itty Bitty Band. This Freehold based singer/songwriter has been making a name for herself among local blues fans and this day's performance was no except to that rule. Accompanied by Fred Dorward (acoustic bass guitar) and Helen Radtke (electric violin/tambourine), Jo Wymer (lead vocals/acoustic guitar/harmonica) treated the crowd to her big, bold, down and dirty style of blues with outstanding renditions of "Fool No More" (this original set the tone for what was to follow/way cool violin play), Billy Holiday's "Fine And Mellow" (big time vocal/ crowd ate it up), "Evil Man" (another strong lead vocal/terrific lament), "Satisfied" (touch of country featuring hot fiddle/big toe tapper), "Careless Love" (Jo gets down on this mournfully moving ballad), "Burn It Off" (Fred steps up and shines on this upbeat original), "Boulevard" (a crowd favorite), "You Don't Matter To Me" (blues with a feeling/fine vocal and violin play/huge finish) and Koko Taylor's "The Man Next Door" (Jo lets it all hang out as she goes out wailing on this killer blues ). Simply put this was another stellar performance by one of the better blues vocalist on the local scene. And there is nothing itty bitty about her band!
PRINCETON ARTS COUNCIL - JOHN IRVING - Feb 2008
Jo Wymer, Blues Chanteuse & the Itty Bitty Band
Rockin' Blues and Rollin' Rhythm
The Blues is an honest expression of life's pain. Lots of singers can fake that lament, but, like Billie Holiday, Jo Wymer gives passionate voice to the reality of blue existence, and with that voice, this woman from Freehold manages to bludgeon and seduce you at the same time. With her band, Jo wins acclaim and awards (e.g., Asbury, 2006 -- Top Blues Band). Such accolades do not come without a magical presence on stage and finely crafted technique (she's a former Juilliard student). But it's the soul of this substantial woman that has insinuated Jo Wymer and her band into the consciousness of listeners up and down the Jersey Coast, and beyond
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Great Page.I'm glad that i can finally listen to your music. It was a pleasure meeting you the other day at bayou cafe. Great songs and keep on playing,:)
Hi Jo.. Thanks for taking the time to listen! Great stuff you have especially "Fool no more" and "Lost, the violin on "Fool no more" sounds great!!! You have an amazing voice, soulful!! I hope you have a wonderful day!! Have fun, Josh
Thank you for having The Road Rash Blues Show as a friend.
This show and station is dedicated to the promotion of independent Blues and Blues Infected Music. Feel free to check out what we can do for you on air (check our blog)as a band and as a listener, the great line up of shows across the whole station.
Supremely talented blues singer in the tradition of such Asbury greats as Pamela Moore and Dolores Holmes. You should catch her in the Asbury Park or New York showcases singing her own brand of heartfelt acoustic numbers as well as with her band- hot stuff!"
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