MIKE ZITO & KELLI BAKER | Live Music at The Alley in Sanford
Schedule
Thu Dec 12 2024 at 07:00 pm to 11:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
The Alley - Sanford, FL | Sanford, FL
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Mike Zito and Kelli BakerMike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so, but for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he’s offered since.“I have nothing to hide; it seems my honesty is what people relate to most,” he once told Vintage Guitar magazine. “Anders (Osborne) told me early on, ‘If you don’t believe what you’re singing, you’ll never be a good singer.’ I try not to write fluff; I try to make every word count.”Naturally, patience and perseverance have been Zito’s stock and trade since the beginning. He began playing guitar at the age of five, and by the time he reached his late teens, he was already a fixture on the local St. Louis music scene. He initially released his music independently and then signed with Eclecto Groove Records in 2008. “Pearl River,” the title track of his 2009 album for the label, won Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards and marked his first collaboration with Cyril Neville, with whom he’d later work in the Royal Southern Brotherhood. A steady succession of critically acclaimed albums followed, culminating in 2011’s Greyhound, which was nominated for Best Rock Blues Album at that year’s Blue Music Awards ceremony in Memphis. Two years later, he signed with Ruf Records and released Gone to Texas, the story of how he gained his sobriety, offered an emotional homage to the state that left an indelible imprint on his entire life. It also marked the debut of his band, The Wheel.From 2010 to 2014, Zito also played an integral role in the super group of sorts, Royal Southern Brotherhood. The group released two albums and a DVD, Songs from the Road – Live in Germany, winner of the year’s Blues Music Award for Best DVD. He also made his mark behind the boards by producing albums for Samantha Fish, Albert Castiglia, Ally Venable, Jeremiah Johnson, Jimmy Carpenter, and many others.Meanwhile, the accolades kept coming. His album, Make Blues Not War, debuted on the Billboard Blues Album Chart at number one and garnered him recognition as the 2018 Rock Blues Artist of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. First Class Life followed suit, also entering the charts at number one. Alternate Root magazine insisted that “The First Class Life that Mike Zito titles his upcoming album can be heard in the sweet sound of Blue Soul rising like heat waves from his guitar and his vocal.” American Blues Scene said, “Mike Zito’s return to the blues is, in a word, triumphant!” No Depression declared, “Once again, Zito has delivered the goods, a first class package with no postage due.”Mike Zito’s last CD, Quarantine Blues, was recorded during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic and served as a healing love letter to his fans around the world that heralded better days ahead if we’d all just stick together. His album prior to that was a tribute to fellow St. Louis native and rock ‘n’ roll legend, Chuck Berry, and featured an array of guest guitarists ranging from Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout and Eric Gales, to Robben Ford, Luther Dickinson and Sonny Landreth, as well as Berry’s own grandson.
Kelli BakerSigned under Song Music with Bad Jeu Jeu Records, national touring artist, Kelli Baker, brings a performance like no other.#1 Blues Rock Song, Roots Music Report#2 Top 50 Blues Song, Roots Music ReportWinner, Long Island Blues Challenge “Road to Memphis” 2022Official Selection, National Women in Blues Showcase 2023“Kelli Baker headlined the Paxico Blues Festival and it was one of the best decisions we’ve made in 20 years of running our event. Her talent, stage presence, connection with our community, professionalism, performance and passion set a new gold standard. Anyone considering booking her should do it right away before it’s too late and she’s selling out Madison Square Garden. Do it and I promise you won’t regret it”.Michael Hund, Promoter & MC, Paxico Blues FestivalDrawing striking comparisons to Samantha Fish and Susan Tedeschi with the stage presence of Robert Plant and Joe Cocker, Kelli Baker brings major acclaim wherever she goes.Known in some circles as “The Phoenix”, Kelli was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She moved to New York in 2012, with $500 in cash, chasing the heels of Hurricane Sandy. Learning music like so many others in the church choir, Kelli graduated to writing her own music, fronting a hard rock band, a folk duo, then honing her chops at New York’s best blues jams, solidifying her presence in the competitive blues scene.In January 2023, Kelli’s explosive live performance at the National Women in Blues Showcase in Memphis, TN, led to her immediate signing with Colorado-based Road Dawg Touring, solidifying tour and festival dates throughout the country.Kelli tours consistently around the United States. Performing with The Kelli Baker Band, she appears regularly at notable venues such as The Cutting Room, House of Blues Chicago, Knuckleheads Kansas City, The Rhythm Room, The Sand Dollar, and holds a residency at NYC’s iconic venue, The Bitter End. Kelli recently headlined both the Women of the Blues Festival in McIntosh, MN, and the Paxico Blues Fest in Kansas City, KS, which draws 5,000 people. Her show-stopping track, “Blood on the Nile” was met with critical acclaim, landing on Spotify’s coveted editorial playlist, “Blues Roots.”Kelli’s take on Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business)” recently hit #1 on the Blues Rock chart, Roots Music Report, as well as #2 on the chart for Top 50 Blues Songs, days after its release. Kelli has swiftly moved through the ranks of New York’s bristling music scene to become a known name and formidable player in the game. She has been featured in Relix Magazine, Guitar Girl Magazine, and countless others.Kelli Baker has recorded at VUDU Studios with producers Mike Watts and Frank Mitaritonna, Cove City Sound Studios with Richie Cannata (Billy Joel, Lords of 52nd Street) and John Arbuckle (Justin Bieber, Jon Bellion), Milk House Studios with multi-platinum producer Philip A. Jimenez (Wheatus, Teenage Dirtbag) and Blokhed Studios with Grammy-nominated producer Tommy Stiegler. Susan Aquila (recorded and worked with Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler) appears on “Cathedral”. Kelli is endorsed by Monster Products, Fret37, ADV, Westone Audio, and Modern Vintage Guitars. She resides in New York City. Resources: www.kellibaker.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kellibakermusic Apple Music: https://apple.co/3AHjr6k Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3g8OmAS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellibakermusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kellibakermusic/
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Where is it happening?
The Alley - Sanford, FL, 118 S Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771-1246, United States,Sanford, FloridaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
