TJ Moor (guitar, vocals, harmonica)
Mac Potts (keys (backward & fwd), lap guitar-sometimes, sax)
Taylor Eaton (bass)
Sam Low (drums)
Influences
Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Sonny Boy Williamson (II), Little Walter, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Pat Hare, B.B. King, Sam Cooke, Otis Spann, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash,
*RECENT NEWS...We're playin' the Biscuit! We will be playing the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival as Emerging Artists! Donations graciously accepted!!! Other news: TJ Moor had the honor and thrill of his lifetime as he was invited to play on stage with Pinetop Perkins ,Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Bob Stroger at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon. (video below)
Here's something different...a complete blues band with vocals, guitar, harmonica, keys, sax, bass and drums whose total age is 60 years! Roots Revival is a youth band who is determined to keep the blues alive! These talented young musicians also volunteer their time and talent to share the history of the blues with students in Oregon and Washington.
TJ MOOR:
Age 14. Blues musicians in Portland have known TJ as a young slide guitar player who has recently picked up harmonica as well. In April, TJ was honored to play at the Aladin Theatre in Portland with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Muddy Waters' drummer for 10 years), Pintetop Perkins (Muddy Waters' piano player for 12 years), and Bob Stroger (the most well-known bass player in Chicago). Ironically, this happened on Muddy Waters' birthday. It would have been his 95th. He has jammed at Pinetop's Homecoming with the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Carl Weathersby, Kenny Neal, Buddy Flett, Terry "harmonica" Bean,etc. TJ has been playing guitar since age 8 and performing since he was 10. He originally played rockabilly and for the past 3 years he has been loving the blues! TJ plays a mix of Piedmont, Delta and Chicago blues. He played for the Children's Miracle Network, company picnics, schools (BluesEd/Blues in the Schools..band "historian"), the opening of the Holland Performing Arts Center, several tv appearances, opened every month for the 'Playing With Fire' concert series in 2005, arts festivals, MicroBlues Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival. TJ has been seen on HBO for his music and in the Wall Street Journal for his passion of blues music from 2 and 3 generations ago. He has studied under Storm Rhodes, Stu Kinzel, LynnAnn Hyde, Kenny 'Blue' Ray, Mary Flower, Paul Rischel, Steve James, Lurrie Bell & Mike Dowling. He has been the recipient of three full scholarships to attend the Port Townsend Country Blues Workshops and was invited to Clarksdale, Mississippi to play at Pinetop Perkins' homecoming. His other hobbies are studying blues history, fixing up guitars, and researching vintage music equipment. Check out his myspace account at www.myspace.com/tjmoorbackstage
MAC POTTS:
Age 16. Although blind from birth, he soon showed musical talent. He was picking out nursery rhymes at the piano at 2, taking classical lessons at 4, and performing by age 8 at local events. He began recording music at age 11 for fun, and began taking lessons from legendary Portland blues pianist DK Stewart at 12. He became interested in jazz, blues and boogie-woogie music. Mac met Ben Rice and joined Ben Rice and the Youth of Blues in early 2005. He also met Reggie Houston, a world famous saxophone player, who gave Mac a few pointers and direction. Mac began playing solo piano at Hudson’s lounge in the Heathman Hotel in Vancouver in the summer of 2005. He studied jazz and gospel with Janice Scroggins in 2006, and is currently studying accompaniment and stage performance with Georgina Phillipson. Mac traveled to New Orleans in 2006 and 2007 for the Jazz Fest. He had the honor of playing with Henry Butler, Charmaine Neville, and a quick jam with Harry Connick, Jr. He has met Dr. John, James Cotton, Michael Kaeshammer, Tom Grant and many other piano masters. Mac also was a featured artist at the Cincinnati Blues Festival in 2007, where he performed solo and with a band at the Boogie Woogie Piano Stage. In his spare time, Mac has learned to do a little piano tuning, play the harmonica and drums, and has recorded a new solo Jazz album with piano, saxophones, drums, and keyboard bass. He also recently won his age division in the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, where displayed his Braille literacy and technology skills. Check out his myspace at www.myspace.com/macpotts
SAM LOW:
Age 15. He began to seriously study drumming at the age of 12 years. Sam plays drums in his high school's concert band, pep band, and jazz band.Sam has studied drums under James Maher, Tim Rap, and currently with Kelly Dunn (Paul deLay Band, Vibrasonics, Johnny Limbo). His school bands are under the direction of Grammy nominee Dan Schauffler (NuShooze, Crazy Eights, Cal Scott, Lily Wilde). He also has a band with 2 high school friends. Sam was born in Wash., DC. Lived in Lakewood, WA, for 2 years , Kailua, HI, for 8 years and has been in Portland since 2003. Sam is a member of the Oregon Fencing Alliance sabre team. Hobbies: Watching college football and basketball, hanging out with friends, going to movies, playing with his beloved golden retriever-- Jasmine. Musical influences: Gavin Harrison, Vinnie Colauita, Danny Carey Favorite TV Show: Lost Favorite Musical Group: Tool Zodiac sign: Taurus Favorite author: Stephen King
Favorite food: Pizza
TAYLOR EATON:
Age 14. Interested in music from a very young age, Taylor began playing piano at age 5, and at 9 was drawn to the sounds of string instruments and became particularly interested in Cello. Since that time, he has played Cello, and has been an active member of his school orchestra. Although Taylor remains active with Cello and orchestra, he developed a burning desire to play electric base in 2006 after watching the Jack Black movie “School of Rock”. Since that time, Taylor has had a healthy obsession with bass and enjoys studying and playing jazz, blues, rock, alternative, and funk, and has also become involved with jazz band, while continuing with his interest in classical via the Cello. Taylor’s favorites Ipod list includes; The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Wild Cherry (“play that funky music white boy”). Favorite bass musicians include, Flea, and Sting. Taylor is currently active playing football and lacrosse. He also enjoys board sports including; skate, surf, and snowboarding. Taylor has a twin sister that keeps him honest. He is particular proud of the fact that he has recently been asked to play at his Church. He is very thrilled to be playing with the excellent musicians that are a part of the Roots Revival band, and the recipient of the gracious guidance and tutoring provided by the great Robbie Laws
TJ, it was great meeting you; I hope those strings worked out for you. Don't worry about finding gigs now. By the time you're my age, they'll find you. Let me know next time you're in New Orleans.
Hey Roots Revival, thanx for addin yer friendship onto our music library of friends. Enjoy our sounds an have a great weekend. Blues rockin in a free world, Mani
Thank you so much for friend request. I'm shocked at the age of you boys! Actually I have no idea how old you all are but you sure look young! And it's great to see such a young group of guys playing this great root music! So keep in touch and keep up the good work gentlemen, cause you're sounding pretty good!
Thanks for the add and the note. Port Townsend is a great scene.
There will be a dual CD release party in Portland at the Clinton Street Theater with Anne Weiss on Saturday, April 26. Kenny Passarelli and Janice & Spank Hopkins will be part of the show. Please come if you can.
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