Photo of Heidi by Geraldine Barclay King
Miss Heidi Nirk (Lead Vocals)
Miss Heidi has an inimitable voice and style all of her own. She is “considerably versatile, infused with the old school spirit of Bessie Smith and self-assured defiance of Janis Joplin” (as quoted by Mark Harriman, Boston Sports Deck, 2011). She sings the blues like she’s lived a few decades on the Delta, said former band mate Tim Lindsey, of the Blue F.O.s. Miss Heidi has performed various venues throughout her tenure in blues music including as lead singer of Killer Kane and the Blue F.O.’s lead by harpist James “Killer” Kane from 2003 – 2006. She has also been featured at spectacular Rhode Island hosted events such as the Woonsocket, RI Autumnfest, the Stadium Theater, Chans Egg Rolls & Jazz Series, the Union Station Blues Festival, and the Newport Blues Festival. Recordings Killer Kane and the Blue F.O.s, LP Done Your Time, recorded in 2003; Creekside Rhapsody (CD), a compilation of songs based on the folk-poetry of Mark Flanagan, recorded in 2003.
Photos by Heidi Nelson
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Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography
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Paul Tomasello (Bass Guitar)
A native Bostonian, Paul relocated to Rhode Island in 1988. In his 40+ years as a professional musician, he has toured and recorded with many bands including the Estes Boys, Little Frankie and the Premiers, Roomful of Blues, Neal and the Vipers, and the Fathoms. He has also performed with greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Otis Rush, and B.B. King.
Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography
Rob Nelson (lead guitar) has been a mainstay of the New England Blues scene since the late 1960s, playing in the Blue Lights, Loaded Dice, Blueswagon, Sugar Ray Norcia, and more recently with Roger Ceresi's All Stars. Tours in the U.S., Canada, and Europe with Lazy Lester (Excello Records), Wild Child Butler, and Roomful of Blues presented an opportunity to hone his musical skills in the company of some blues greats. Rob also plays as a sideman with Darrel Nulisch, James Montgomery, Dennis McCarthy, and The Superchief Trio among others. Through years of experience, Rob has developed his own voice in many styles of playing, including retro-soul, jazz standards, and honky tonk. Through his affability and swingin' style, Rob brings listeners along into a world he obviously enjoys.
Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography
Charlie Huntington (Piano/Organ) has been tickling the age since the tender age of eight and spent his upbringing in the church being influenced greatly by his mothers love of music as the church organist. Charlie was drawn to many different instruments, but when his father gifted him a Farfisa organ for his birthday one year, it was pretty obvious which he preferred. Charlie played with Killer Kane & the Blue FO's since 1972 only to recently retire from the ensemble (what a tenure!). Charlie also played with the Bob Colson Band, which opened for Muddy Waters in 1978, and Eric Burdon in 1979. Charlie also led band Jewel City Blues with James "Killer" Kane on harp, and has played with Josh Barber Band, Johnny Edwards Band, Straight Pipes Band, and Calamity Brain.
Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography
Chad Souza was born in Attleboro, MA and raised in RI. He started gigging on the drums at 13 with Johnny Watson Jr. Since then, he has worked with a wide variety of notable southeastern New England blues and swing groups including Rory and the Blueshounds, The Mystic Horns, Professor Harp, and Roger Ceresi’s All Starz. He got such a young start thanks to his bass playing father, ‘Papa’ Dick Souza. Chad was also a founding member of The Funk Monks, Powerhouse, and Smokestack Lightnin’.
Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography
DYLAN BARBRICK - Honorary Band Member & Merchandise Manager