Blues Meets Girl
Mr. Downchild and Kasimira met at a jam session when a mutual friend asked them to sit in. It was immediately evident that their musical styles worked well together. Later, Mr. D would invite Kassy to show up at his gigs and have her up to do a couple of tunes. Before long it became a real thing and Blues Meets Girl was formed.
They way they weave their separate influences and past experiences together is undeniable. This is Down home, Smokin’, Sexy Blues. You can feel and relate to the soulful and passionate songs they write for and about each other as well as their unique renditions of the classics by Muddy Waters, Etta James, Big Mama Thorton, Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williams making this duo original in their own right. Blues Meets Girl is bonefide Blues thru and thru.
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Mr. Downchild
Growing up in a musical family, Mr. Downchild began his singing career after hearing British Skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan and had his first paying gig at the age of 5. By age 15 he had performed on the London Theatre stage and T.V. both acting and singing until he discovered the Blues of Sonny Boy Williamson. This changed everything. A self-taught harmonic player and guitarist he discovered the open tunings and learned to play slide guitar. He played in various bands in London until he came to the U.S. in 1985.
There he met Robert Lockwood Jr., who became his close friend and mentor. They recorded together in 1994 and since then Mr. Downchild had toured 25 states and produced 6 albums. He was equally influenced and encouraged by Pinetop Perkins and Junior Wells. Mr. Downchild plays the Delta/Chicago Blues and performs both as a one man band or in his current project, Blues Meets Girl (duo) and with a band. |
Kasimira
<7 Texas born singer songwriter “Kassy” was greatly influenced by her parents vast collection of albums that included Jazz, R & B, Folk and Blues and music was always being played on the radio. At age 9 her mother sent her to a voice teacher and by age 17 she had performed in many concerts and theater productions. She went onto college furthering her musical studies at The Dana School of Music but to her dismay opera was the only option for vocalists.
Always searching for great female artists, she soon discovered Etta James, Big Mama Thorton and Koko Taylor. Secretly she went with her friends in the Jazz program to the local Jazz & Blues clubs. Her voice teacher caught her performing at a downtown event, not singing opera, he confronted her saying “Miss. Vogel, the reason I cannot get from you the operatic qualities is because you are listening to that Jazz & Blues music.” Shortly after that she decided that she needed to make her own path and designed a degree thru the University for Musical Theatre, the first of its kind there. She continued to sharpen her skills as lead singer of several bands including Network out of Worcester Ma and The Pale Daisies. Kasimira has 2 cds under her belt and has toured 5 states. She is equally at home singing original material as she is paying homage to the great female vocalists that influenced her. |
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Venues and Shows of Note
Robert Lockwood Jr.: Son I knew you was good but… I didn't know you was THAT GOOD! Pinetop Perkins: I want you to play Guitar with me tonight. You play the hell out of that slide. P Henke, a fan: Great Band! Kasimira has alot of soul! Ro Daley past president of Cleveland Blues Society: Gotta hear Kasimira sing!!! |
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