Big Joe and the Dynaflows bring swinging, danceable jump blues, retro blues and jazz/blues to the Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Saturday July 18 at 8:00 p.m. as part of the MainstayBlues series of blues concerts. Admission is $20. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Big Joe Maher is a rarity in the blues world. He’s a drummer who doubles as a vocalist. With a voice reminiscent of Delbert McClinton, he relies on well-chosen vintage material and his own first-class originals. His music is a mix of rocking, often humorous jump blues, retro-blues, and swinging jazz/blues with the occasional swamp-pop weeper like his own “Evangeline.
Maher started out his music career in his Maryland high school jazz band “The Starliners.” Musical greats like Clark Terry, Urbie Green, Mundell Lowe & James Moody often sat in with the band as guest performers and they were an inspiration to him along with the recorded music of jump blues greats like Louis Jordon and Big Joe Turner.
In his early career, he shared the stage, opened up for or backed up music legends like Willie Dixon, Delbert McClinton, Johnnie Johnson, Mick Fleetwood, Jimmy McCracklin, Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Otis Rush and Earl King.
In the late 80’s after managing and performing with the nine piece swing band “The Uptown Rhythm Kings,” and after a few years as drummer with the Tom Principato Band, Maher formed his own five piece jump blues group “Big Joe & The Dynaflows.”
In between touring and local performances with the Dynaflows in the mid-90’s, Maher accepted the role as Music Coordinator for Mick Fleetwood’s nightclub in Alexandria, VA “Fleetwoods.” His knowledge of the local and national blues & jazz scene helped him land the position which had the nightclub consistently filled with top notch talent.
In 1997, Big Joe and the Dynaflows had the honor to perform at an Inauguration Ball for the 42nd President of the United States. in Washington, DC. They continue to play locally, regionally and nationally and have toured Europe.
The Dynaflows release “I’m Still Swingin” on Severn Records, received the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA)”Best Blues Recording” in 1998. WAMA also voted Big Joe “Male Blues Vocalist of the Year” both in 2005 and 2009. Other Dynaflow releases include “All Night Long” and “You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down” on the Severn label; “Layin’ in the Alley” on New Orleans based Black Top Records, which received the (WAMA) “Best Blues Recording” in 1994;.”Good Rockin’Daddy” on the Powerhouse label and “Cool Dynaflow” on a European label.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street.
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