T-MODEL FORD
Along with label-mates R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, T-Model Ford was a central player in the blues revival of the 1990s. Led by the great Mississippi-based Fat Possum Records, this invasion of crusty old men focused on raw, one-chord Technical prowess took a backseat to personality, and T-Model's got it in droves. Born James Lewis Carter Ford sometime between 1921 and 1925 in Forest, Mississippi, T-Model worked various blue-collar jobs, spent much of his time in jail for various offenses (including a stint on a chain gang for murder), and didn't even pick up a guitar until he was in his fifties. Blending traditional Chicago and juke joint styles with an almost punk-like rawness, T-Model has been playing of late with Seattle-based rock band Gravel Road. We haven't worked with T-Model since the early days of the Thirsty Ear Festival; so it feels particularly good to welcome the Taledragger back to Santa Fe.

JAKE LEAR

Jake Lear at Santa Fe Blues
Live photos by Ken Wilson

"Take the intensity of Stevie Ray Vaughan's scorching guitar technique and apply it to Bob Dylan's stark, earnest songwriting, and what you now have is the music of bluesman Jake Lear," writes Elmore Magazine. Lear, who was born in Vermont and raised on blues and country music, spent his entire adult life playing in various East Coast blues and rock bands, including a lengthy apprenticeship in New York City clubs such as the Knitting Factory, the Bitter End and CBGB. He spent the last year playing to thousands on Memphis’ renowned Beale Street, honing the hard-hitting blues on which he is building a growing national reputation. Lear’s second and latest full-length release is Lost Time Blues.

SOUL KITCHEN

Perhaps NM's most popular blues outfits, Soul Kitchen's straight-up blues wanders somewhere between Saturday night revelry and Sunday morning redemption. The Albuquerque-based group features vocalist extraordinaire Hillary Smith, winner of Albuquerque Magazine's 2009 Best Vocalist award; well-regarded guitarist Chris Dracup; and journeyman Tommy Elskes, who recently had one of his songs covered by Lyle Lovett.

Soul Kitchen's Hillary Smith at Santa Fe Blues
Live photos by Ken Wilson

MARC MALIN & HARMONICA MIKE COUNTRY BLUES REVIEW

This Santa Fe-based duo has been together for about 6 months, but have combined playing experience of over 50 years. A blend of folk, Americana and country blues, the duo plays both original material and tasty covers. Malin is the also the lead guitar player in the Rattlerz, and Harmonica Mike sits in with a range of NM bands. During their energetic shows you are likely to hear guitar, dobro, banjo, harmonica, cajon and the occasional kazoo.