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.
We proudly welcome, officially, our newest member Charlie Huntington on keys to the HNB family! We are super psyched to have him on board. Although, Mr. Taber left some big shoes to fill... Charlie has done so with ease. He tickles the ivories with his own authentic tone that adds a prescription of class to the HNB ensemble. Indeed, a perfect combination. WELCOME CHARLIE!!!
Charlie Huntington started out taking piano lessons around age 8. His Mom played organ at church, and he filled in for her a couple of times and got his first taste of performing for an audience. In his teens, in the sixties, he was drawn to the guitar and drums as more exciting, and relevant, but soon realized he already had a head start with keyboards, and when his Dad gave him a used Farfisa organ for his birthday his course was set. His first band was an Allman Brothers tribute band of sorts. Around 1972 he joined with James “Killer” Kane on drums and harp and vocalist Bob Colson to form the “The Bob Colson Band”. This outfit had great local success in the Attleboro/Providence area, and were fortunate enough to open for Muddy Waters in 1978, and Eric Burdon in 1979. He moved to Maryland in 1982 to play with various C and W bands, but returned after 3 years to get back to playing the blues with “Killer Kane and the Bluefos”, who he has played with on and off for the last 25 years and still plays with. He also formed the band “Jewel City Blues” for 3 years, with Jim Kane on harp, doing mostly blues and original music. Other bands include “The Josh Barber Band”, “The Johnny Edwards Band”, “Calamity Brain”, “Straight Pipes Band” and other acts where he fills in when needed.
Rob Nelson (Lead Guitar)
Rob has been a mainstay of the New England Blues scene since the late 60s 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 of the greats of the blues. 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.
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Paul Tomasello (Bass Guitar)
A native Bostonian, Paul relocated to Rhode Island in 1988. In his 40 plus 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 Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Otis Rush, and B.B. King. He is currently playing bass with the amazing Heidi Nirk Band.
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Richard “Lil’ Cousin” Calitri (Harmonica, Background Vocals)
Richard Calitri was exposed to music at a very young age through the influence of his older brother in the mid-1960s. Richard has always had a profound love for the sound of the harmonica. He purchased his first diatonic harmonica in 1970 and taught himself to play. In 1973, Richard had the honor of playing with the great Muddy Waters at a club called Salt’s in Newport, RI. Muddy Waters was impressed with Rich’s style and encouraged him to “keep at it, boy”! After that memorable experience, Richard has dedicated his loyalty to the blues. He recognizes his major influences to be Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, Big Walter, and his first love the J. Geil’s Band. His musical credits include his first band Greed (1970s), The Slider’s Blue Cevelle, the Watson Band, The Bomber’s, Skelloton Crew, and currently finds his home with the Heidi Nirk Band.
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Jack Matthews (Drums)
Jack Matthews playing record involves four decades beating the skins east of the Mississippi with the likes of Lazy Lester, Jerry Portnoy & Guitar Jr. Johnson (both from the Muddy Waters Band), Preston Hubbard (Thunderbirds), Dicky Wells (Count Basie), and Shorty Jackson (Louis Armstrong Band). Local Rhode Island legends include Backslap Blues Band (60s), and the Blue Lights Band (70s), Stoval Brown, Young Neal & the Vipers, The Tremors, The Characters, Jack Smith & the Rockabilly Planet, DD & the Roadkings, and the Varaflames. Along the way, he’s recorded with local artists such as Bob Angell's Blues Outlet with Kelly Knapp, AK Blues legend Cedell Davis, Louie Camp (The Heptones), Stoval Brown, Young Neal, Anthony Geraci (Sugar Ray & the Bluetones), Jack Smith (Flyin Fish Records, Chicago), DD & the Roadkings, and the Varaflames. In these acts, he’s opened for such greats like Martha Reeves, The Shirts, Willie Nelson, Mick Taylor, Buddy Miles, and Roy Orbison.
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