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MICHELLE WILLSON

Known to blues lovers the around the world as "Evil Gal" and acknowledged by aficionados of Jazz and Blues as a passionate and gifted performer, bandleader and songwriter, Michelle Willson has recorded and released 4 critically acclaimed albums for Rounder/ Bullseye Records, as well as a live album recorded at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, MA. She is featured on two recordings with Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All Stars and has toured Europe and Canada with the group. Michelle has also appeared on two recent Duke Robillard recordings.

Before signing with Rounder, Michelle's group won a prestigious W.C. Handy award for best unsigned blues act as a result of their win at the Blues Foundation's International Blues competition and Michelle was later nominated for a (best female blues vocal) Handy alongside Etta James and Koko Taylor.

Michelle's music is regularly played on blues radio and internet programs all around the globe and her original music has been featured in the HBO series "Mind of the Married Man", as well as on the 2008 House of Blues compilation album "Essential Women in the Blues." 

Michelle's performances and recordings have received rave reviews from such respected sources as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Downbeat, The Japan Times, GQ, Jazz Times and Living Blues, in addition to various other publications from many different countries.

For over 3 years, Michelle hosted 2 weekly programs, "Voices of Jazz" and "Jazz n' Blue" on one of the few remaining NPR music stations, WICN, in Worcester, MA. She currently hosts "Morning Vibe Time", weekdays 6-9am and is also WICN's production manager.

 Michelle wrote and produced: "Destination Moon - a tribute to Dinah Washington" which debuted to a packed house at the Beehive in Boston and then sold out a repeat performance at Chan's in Woonsocket, RI. 

Michelle's amazing voice, intense, engaging style, her vast knowledge of and passion for Jazz and Rhythm & Blues music combined with the rock solid support provided by her talented and tight backup band add up to a unique and unforgettable show!

ZAC CASHER - DRUMS

Zac Casher’s ability to create personal and commanding grooves in a variety of styles makes him one of the most
sought-after drummers in the New England area. Born in Boston, a Berklee College alumnus who has also taught at
Berklee, his credits include performing and recording with Julien Kasper, Mighty Sam McClain (Telarc), Scott Shetler
and Michelle Willson (Rounder), touring with Imani Coppala (Columbia Records), Ben Swift (Acoustic Arts Prod.) and
Johnny Adams (Rounder) and performing with The Ken Clark Organ Trio (Severn Records). Zac produced, performed
and recorded his own original rock project, Naked Wednesday (JZM Records).

 

MIKE MELE - guitar

Mike has been playing guitar professionally for over 25 years. He has played with many jazz and blues greats,
including Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Tony Monaco, Bill Pierce, Joe Hunt, Barry Ries, Marty Rowen, Melvin Sparks,
Myanna and Rusty Scott. Mike is a member of the Ken Clark Organ Trio, with whom he recorded the albums “Eternal Funk” and “Mutual Respect” for Severn Records. As a long-standing member of Michelle Willson’s Evil Gal Festival Orchestra, Mike toured North America and Europe and played on the critically acclaimed album, “Wake-Up Call” for Rounder Records.

SHINICHI OTSU - keys

Shinichi Otsu has been a keyboardist and a musical director for Greg Piccolo ( saxophonist for Jimmy Vaughn and Roomful of Blues ) since 1999. He has worked for the Tony Award winning broadway musical "RENT" and "Talent Show" with Tommy Tune. He has also performed with Sam Butera's Wildest, Marty Allen, Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl and Sugar Ray Norcia. He has opened for Dr. John, Robert Cray, Al Martino, Roberta Flack, John Scofield and the Sun Ra Arkestra.

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DONN SCOTT SHETLER - sax, clarinet, mandolin

Of reed man, arranger and composer, Donn Scott Shetler, Saxophone Journal’s Tim Price wrote: “This is the kind
of guy who has paid his dues in triple. He deserves your ears and world class attention as a tenor saxophonist... a
very satisfying anthology of a brilliant and versatile performer who straddles the fine line between blues and jazz to perfection.”

Scott has played, written, arranged, recorded and produced music for decades. He played and did all the horn arrangements for Michelle Willson’s 4 albums for Rounder Records including “Wake Up Call “(Boston Music Awards best blues album 2002). He also co wrote and recorded “Three Aces Club”, with Harry “piano man” Van Walls for Michelle Willson’s album Evil Gal Blues, as well as Mighty Sam McClain’s Gospel anthem “Show Me The Way, which won the International Songwriting Competition (Gospel category) in 2009. In 2008, he recorded with Jon Bon Jovi for the Album “Give Us Your Poor”.