
Jr.T Blues Band is dedicated to exploring blues legacy, and honoring its ancestral heritage. Sometimes plugged in, and sometimes acoustic, their repertoire is wide and all encompassing, including original songs. The addition of a rhythm section opens up the space for Tevis to play more intricate solos, and explore different aspects of the blues, such as various electric styles. Furthermore, Jr.T Blues Band allows Tevis to navigate unknown territory, and attempt to discover a new path to the future of the blues. In any case, their sound sticks out as unique among the oft cliche blues rock gropus that dominate the scene.
Jr. T Blues Band is most often a trio with Tevis (a.k.a Junior T), Stephen B on drums and Cam Carlson on bass.
While the existence of Jr.T Blues Band is only three years old, Stephen B has been with Tevis in various outfits for nearly 15 years.
Cam, on the other hand, was recruited by Tevis at the beginning of the Jr.T Blues Band, not having worked together before. An important factor for Tevis in building this band was to refocus the blues on black musicianship. In a scene overrun by white men (with an art-form that is historically black), Jr.T Blues Band is a breath of fresh air as an all-black experience. Of course, Tevis holds no strict racial boundaries, and this is reflected in the various guest musicians that the Jr.T Blues Band brings to their regular nights at local Spare Room Bar.
Hill country, Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, West Coast Jump Blues, Jugband, a touch of contemporary blues, traditional folk blues, Jazz, are all examples of the styles that they play and explore. Tevis brings a large inspiration from Taj Mahal, whom he considers a mentor of sorts, to bring it all together. Maybe an old folk number, with a modern beat. Maybe a contemporary sound, with a traditional touch. Maybe a straight up jugband number played like they used to. Nothing is off the table in the realm of black-diaspora music for the Jr.T Blues Band.
