Lil' Cliff & the Cliffhangers

Lil' Cliff & the Cliffhangers的艺人档案

International Blues Challenge Finalists Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers are an innovative blues harmonica driven quartet who consistently incorporate a unique sense of energy and life into their sound. These boys have been singin’, swingin’ and jumpin’ up Tri State metro New York/New Jersey audiences for the last twenty plus years with their own special brand of blues and swing. This road-seasoned quartet feature some wonderfully original tunes, complete with robust harmonies that stomp out a declaration of spiritual fervor and upbeat entertainment. After winning the regional 2006 IBC competition, hosted locally by the Downstate Blues Society of Metro New York City, the band was proud to perform their special brand of original jump blues in Memphis, Tennessee at the annual International Blues Challenge (IBC). Wouldn’t you know it, out of literally hundreds of blues artists from all over the world the boys placed in the final top ten! The band maintains a rigorous touring schedule, and is a staple and favorite performing act throughout the Tri-State metro New York/New Jersey area. Their latest CD release titled “God Bless Women” on Shankbone Records, has received major airplay in markets all over the world, charting numerous times on the National Roots and Blues Charts upon its release in 2008. Lil’ Cliff and the Cliffhangers continue to work hard at their craft through a combination of live appearances up and down the Northeast corridor, broadcast and satellite radio airplay as well as internet radio and podcast features (the band was the March 2009 featured artist on A1 Blues Spotlight). The band has been featured on metro NY cable TV, and also appears annually at several summer festivals including The Riverhead Blues Festival, Live at Lincoln Center Summer Arts Concert Series, and the Peconic River Summer Arts and Wine Festival. The band has backed national touring blues artists such as: Mitch Woods, Sam Taylor, Little Buster, Ronnie Earl, Bill Perry, Bobby Radcliff, Danny Russo, and Gatemouth Brown to name a few. Lil’ Cliff and the Cliffhangers will be releasing their next recording “The Lovin’ Kind” in early Summer of 2011, and are excited to be touring at some of the top national blues venues on the east coast. These blues boys knock ‘em out of their shoes and leave them dancing’ barefoot! Band members Fronting the band is, of course, Lil’ Cliff, tickling people’s souls with his greasy harmonica and rich baritone vocals. Cliff is a big bundle of energy and uplifts the audience and lets them leave their worries behind. It’s no wonder that the Village Voice called Cliff “a rising star on the Long Island Blues scene.” Sharing lead vocals and playing the stand-up bass is Rick Street. Rick writes and arranges for the band, and he is always careful to bring a strong, stable bottom end for the band’s soloists to depend on. On lead guitar, and a fine vocalist in his own right, is Dennis Phelps. Dennis capably shoulders his role in the band either when soloing or laying in with the rhythm section. He always manages to convey his deep emotional love for this music through his distinctive playing. On drums and vocals is Frank Patterson. Frank is a talented drummer and fine vocalist; an accomplished artist who brings a high level of musical skill and accomplishment to the band. He was a former member of the U.S. Air Force touring band playing before distinguished audiences in venues throughout the world.