Kevin Selfe - guitar, vocals, harmonica;
Don Shultz - drums;
Allen Markel - bass
Walking Funny - Duff's Garage - Oct. 2, 2009
Boogie Chillun - Duff's Garage - Oct. 2, 2009
Mannish Boy - Duff's Garage - Oct. 2, 2009
Strollin' With Bone - CBA Fundraiser - Jan 18, 2009
Kevin at Red Bull Flugtag on Aug 2 2008. 80,000 people.
The band with Jim Wallace at the 2008 Waterfront Blues Festival
Influences
muddy waters, freddie king, t-bone walker, jimmie vaughan, albert king, jimi hendrix, albert collins, hollywood fats, john lee hooker, stevie ray vaughan, angus young, little walter, fabulous thunderbirds, paul butterfield, skip james, nighthawks, billy crawford, ventures, dick dale, elmore james, eddy clearwater, otis rush, hubert sumlin, howling wolf, wynonie harris, kim wilson
Sounds Like
Albert King, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Jimmie Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Paul Butterfield, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie
2009 MUDDY AWARD WINNER – BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ACT
Kevin Selfe is a man who has dedicated his life to the blues. For more than a decade, he has been sharing that love and dedication with audiences from coast to coast, building a loyal following wherever his energetic mix of traditional and contemporary blues is heard. Although many have played the genre before him, Kevin’s path to, and through, the blues is an interesting one and is what draws people to his music.
In a world of teenage guitar prodigies, Kevin learned to play the guitar at a relatively late age while studying Meteorology at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. “I had plenty of time to practice in my dorm room”, Kevin explains “because my major was not real popular with the ladies.” He jokingly but honestly adds “They used to call us the weather dorks”.
“My roommate was a bass player and he introduced me to this whole new world of music that I wasn’t aware of. While everybody else was into the grunge thing, we were listening to Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Elmore James. It was like this big light went on in my head.”
After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Meteorology in 1995, Selfe felt like there was something missing, something else calling him. He decided to abandon a potential career as a weatherman, and pursue the music that consumed his soul, the blues. Kevin states “I don’t think I ever really chose to play the blues…I think somehow the blues chose me.”
In 1997 at the age of 23, he joined the regionally popular Fat Daddy Band based out of his hometown of Roanoke, VA. During his tenure with them, the Fat Daddy Band won the Charlotte Blues Society's 2001 Talent Competition and was a finalist at the Blues Foundation's 2002 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, thus being named one of the top 6 unsigned blues bands in the world.
One of the most memorable experiences in Kevin’s life occurred that night while coming off the stage of the New Daisy Theater. Kevin recalls “Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters’ guitarist) was one of the judges that night, and was presenting an old Stella guitar that Muddy had owned to Howard Stovall and The Blues Foundation. Before the presentation, Bob was slated to play the guitar for a couple of tunes. We were the last band to compete and Howard was waiting at the bottom of the stairs watching over the guitar. I asked if that was the guitar? He said ‘Yes’, and then I asked if I could touch it. He said ‘You sounded great…here, you can play it for a minute…you earned it.’ So there I was, playing Muddy Waters guitar on Beale Street, with his strings still on it. Words just can’t describe what I felt. It was an amazing experience. That guitar now sits in the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS. I get goose bumps every time I see it.”
After spending 6 busy years touring the South and recording 3 CD’s, Kevin left Fat Daddy and joined forces with fellow Virginia bluesman Rodger Crowder, forming Little Rodger and the Cheap Thrills in 2003 (who incidentally was also a finalist at the IBC in 2008). Over the next 2 years Kevin continued touring, regularly performing at some of the nation’s best blues clubs including The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, IN; Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Nashville, TN; and The Double Door in Charlotte, NC.
In early 2005, Kevin decided it was time to go out on his own and formed his own group, Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes. The band quickly became known as one of the tightest and most energetic blues outfits around. In September 2005, he and the Tornadoes had the honor of backing up Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater at the Taste of The Blue Ridge Blues Festival in Roanoke, VA. In January 2007, Kevin backed up former Muddy Waters sideman and harmonica legend, the late Carey Bell, on what ended up being his last show. “Getting to do that gig with Carey was one of those magical nights I’ll never forget,” Kevin remembers.
Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes released their first CD entitled Selfe-Contained in January 2006. The well-received recording comprised of ten dynamic tunes that captured the band’s uncontainable energy and creativity. Although Kevin is best known for his guitar work, his other skills started to garner attention. Blues Matters (UK) says of Selfe on the CD, “Playing fine harmonica as well, it is his superb deep voice that resonates throughout”.
Always searching for the next adventure, Kevin relocated to the blues hotbed of Portland, OR in February 2007 where he quickly sought the right musicians to form a West Coast version of The Tornadoes. He hired long-time Portland drummer Don Shultz (most recently with Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers), and newly transplanted New Yorker Allen Markel on bass. The three hit it off immediately and in a little more than two years they have become a Northwest favorite, with performances at the Waterfront Blues Festival as well as winning a prestigious Muddy Award in 2009 for Best Contemporary Blues Act from the Cascade Blues Association. In all, the band has been nominated for 10 Muddy Awards for Best Electric Guitar (2007,2008, 2009), Best Contemporary Blues Act (2008, 2009), Best Traditional Blues Act (2009), Best New Act (2007), Best Bass (2008, 2009), and Best Drums (2008).
In September 2009, Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes released their highly anticipated second CD, Playing The Game. The CD was selected out of six entries by a group of judges to represent the Cascade Blues Association for the Best Self-Produced CD competition presented by The Blues Foundation. The recording consists of ten original compositions that highlight the bands depth, virtuosic talent, and tongue in cheek humor, while still staying true to the blues. From the driving shuffle “Just Like Pulling Teeth” to the jumping swing “Walking Funny” and the funky rhythms of “Blues Don’t Take A Day Off”, Playing The Game has something to offer most every blues aficionado.
Longtime Cascade Blues Association President Greg Johnson sums up Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes the best, “Kevin draws the crowds to the band with fiery fretwork that gets “wanna-be” guitar heroes excited and professionals listening closely. As a band, the three together all fall in complete synchronization with one another on stage as a true ensemble that just may be one of the best outfits on the West Coast.”
Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes's Friend Space (Top 21)
Hey man. Thanks for the add. Your stuff sounds good. Anyways, if you like my stuff I'm playing at Mississippi Pizza Pub on December 8th at 7pm and I'd love to see you there. Take it easy and THANK YOU for your support.
Hi Kevin, congrats on winning a Muddy! It was fun playing with you out on the coast this summer. Thanks for inviting me to stand in. See ya round... Peace. Gunnar :]
We're celebrating Freddy's 5oth Birthday Sat Nov 14. 7pm. Myrtle Brown's Destiny Debut special performance 8pm - 2am...tix $10 Sat Nov 14 @ The Refectory 1618 NE 122nd Ptld 97030. I don't see you scheduled for Sat nov 14 so we'll have your seats reserved ~ ? Thanks for everything Kev ~
Awesome jam tonight!! Glad I finally made it out to the Refectory! Looking forward to your CD release party (although I will see and hear you again before then). Have a nice Labor Day!
"Sharing my art makes my heart feel good. It's a way, too, of letting people know that I have not been conquered by the oppressor even though I have spent so many years in these iron lodges. It's a way to say thank you for all the people's support. It's a way of letting them know that their prayers are strong." ~ Leonard Peltier
Leonard donates his paintings to his defense committee to help support efforts to win his freedom. This is a critical time for Leonard and for the LPDOC. We need to do everything in our power to see that Leonard is released. With this work in progress we also need funds to continue. Peltier paintings also have been given as gifts and donated to help other organizations raise funds. Leonard Peltier donates his paintings to the LP-DOC to help raise funds for his defense. The paintings are available for purchase. .. To inquire about the purchase of Peltier art work and conditions of sale, please call 701/235-2206 or send an e-mail Please visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info to learn about Leonard!! Have a great day! Blessings!
Hey Kevin, I don't know if Myrtle told you, but I'm a local resident here in Vancouver now...So, I'll be checking you out more regularly. I'm planning on coming to the jam on Sunday, and to your CD Release Party next Friday. BTW, CONGRATULATIONS on the CD!!!
I like the new tune! Are you playing the harp on that? Good tone! Some harp players never do learn how to get good tone, it's "just like pulling teeth"! Be sure to fill me in on your weekend gig. It'd be a pure pleasure to sit in with you guys! Until then...
Hello Kevin ~ Just wanted to say Thank you for letting me join you on your jams and at club gigs! Have you checked out my photo albums of you yet? So sweet !!! Look forward to seeing you soon ! Myrtle
THANK YOU for being a friend to Third Eye Theatre Presents: Dylan Hillerman’s Grand Guignol and inviting us into your home – or onto your lap…top !
Make sure you can be there THIS Friday June 26th at the Back Door Theatre for our Opening Night Extravaganza! It's going to be a sexy and horror-filled blast!
Hi everybody, just here to say our new RORY GALLAGHER HAWK BOOSTER is ready for shipping. Have a listen if you get a chance, All the best, Stevie Flynn.
Kevin, Good to see you while in Portland...TWICE! A Tacoma videographer and professional news camera man are mentoring me in video production of live Blues shows, from shooting to editing and final merging of multiple audio and visual files. I helped film Too Slim and The Taildraggers with Polly O'Keary at Blues Vespers Sunday night and Little Bill/The Blue Notes Monday Night at The Swiss. Work to be added to www.SweetBluesNW.com Web site. Much luv, annie
Hey Kevin!! Long time, no see! I'll be at The Naked Winery to see you on the 13th after my daughters dance recital...come see us, the pizza oven is done!
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