The
Phantom Blues Band was formed
as a studio band to backup
Taj Mahal on his CD, "Dancin'
the Blues." Having spent
many years as part of the
Texas blues community, the
members of the Phantom Blues
Band backed and recorded with
many Texas blues greats including
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie
King, Jimmy Reed, Albert Collins
and Chicago legends Buddy
Guy and Otis Rush.
The
Phantom Blues Band members
are all in
their
own right successful session players,
producers, arrangers, composers, songwriters
and recording artists.
The
Phantom Blues Band are two time Grammy
winners and 2001 W.C. Handy Award recipients
as Band Of The Year with Taj Mahal.
After
circling the globe playing major Blues
and Jazz Festivals in Europe, Japan and
Australia with Taj Mahal, the Phantom
Blues Band released their first CD, 'Limited
Edition' in 2003.
In
spite of their busy individual schedules,
the Phantom Blues Band members are making
time to do more live dates.
BAND
MEMBERS:
Johnny Lee Schell (guitar and
vocal) – After working
with Buddy Holly producer Norman Petty
in nearby Clovis New Mexico, Johnny left
his home in Farwell, Texas and headed
out on the road with his band, Baby. Johnny
arrived in Los Angeles in the late seventies,
soon touring with Bonnie Raitt and The
Bump Band. Johnny has also toured with
Taj Mahal, Ron Wood and John Fogerty.
Johnny currently spends his time running
Ultra Tone Studios where he has scored
several films as well as music consulted
and recorded the score for the ABC sitcom,"According
to Jim." Johnny hangs out daily with
Rooster, The Wonder Dog.
Mike
Finnigan (organ,piano,and vocal) – Mike started playing professionally
in 1964 in Kansas. He then moved to Wichita
and travelled the country with The Serfs.
It was during a trip to New York City
that Mike recorded with Jimi Hendrix,
a session that resulted in 'Electric Ladyland.'
In 1972, Michael formed Finnigan and Wood.
In 1975, Mike put down roots in Los Angeles
where he pursued more group and solo recordings
while at the same time touring and recording
with Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dave Mason,
Etta James, Dr. John and Carlos Santana.
Mike won a W.C. Handy Award for his work
with Taj Mahal.
Joe
Sublett (saxophone) – Saxophonist
Joe Sublett started his musical career
in Austin, Texas. As part of the burgeoning
Austin Blues scene, he played with Paul
Ray and The Cobras, a band that featured
a twenty one year old Stevie Ray Vaughan.
After five years of touring and backing
many Blues greats, Joe moved to Los Angeles,
soon forming The Texacali Horns with trumpet
player, Darrell Leonard. Joe won a Grammy
and a W.C. Handy Award for his work with
Taj Mahal and has worked with The Rolling
Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, and
B.B. King. The Texacali Horns released
a CD in 2003.
Denny
Freeman (guitarist)– Denny
started his career in Dallas, Texas playing
in blues and rock and roll bands. In 1974,
Denny, along with vocalist Paul Ray, founded
The Cobras, a band in which he shared
lead guitar duties with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
After eight years touring the country
with The Cobras, Denny went on to tour
and record with Angela Straehli, Jimmy
Vaughan, and Taj Mahal. Denny released
three solo albums and since finishing
his tenure with Taj Mahal has toured extensively
in Southern California and Texas with
his own band. Denny is currently on tour
with Bob Dylan. He is a Grammy and W.C.
Handy Award winner.
Larry
Fulcher (bass and vocal) –
Larry was born in Houston, Texas and soon
began his musical career singing in church
at the tender age of five. At age thirteen,
Larry moved to Southern California and
began playing in bands at fifteen. Larry
went on to record with Smokey Robinson
and The Crusaders and during the eighties
toured and recorded (keyboards and guitar)
with many reggae artists, including The
Wailers,Third World and Andrew Tosh. He
was also a featured vocalist on the Emmy
Award winning ABC-TV series, 'I'll Fly
Away' and won a Grammy and W.C.Handy Award
for his work with Taj Mahal.
Darrell
Leonard (trumpet) – Darrell
arrived in Los Angeles in 1968 and was
soon touring and recording with Delaney
and Bonnie and Dr. John, Little Feat,
Glen Frey and Taj Mahal. He has worked
as a studio Musician with Henry Mancini,
the Rolling Stones, and Solomon Burke
among others. Darrell's work as an arranger
and composer for film and theatre include
music for 'The Divine Secrets of "The
YaYa Sisterhood" and "Cold Mountain".
He has worked at Chicago's Steppenwolf
Theatre and his most recent work, the
score for the play "Carter's Way"
which had its world premire at the Kansas
City Repertory Theatre, captured the sound
and feel of Kansas City during the 1930's.
Darrell is a Grammy and W.C. Handy Award
winner for his work with Taj Mahal.
Tony
Braunagel (drummer) – Tony
started playing in Houston, Texas in the
mid-sixties eventually making his way
to England where he worked as studio drummer
for Island Records. In the early eighties
Tony moved to Los Angeles where he found
work touring and recording with the likes
of Eric Burdon, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette
Midler and Bonnie Raitt. In 2000 after
several years of touring with Taj Mahal
and the Phantom Blues Band, Tony produced
the Grammy Award winning "Shoutin'
in Key" and has recently produced
Eric Burdon's new CD "Soul of Man."
Tony is also a W.C. Handy Award winner.
