Uncle Pete’s BBQ Blues Sat at Orph
Orpheum
Hey Everybody,
Join us at Saturday night (Sept 11) for Uncle Pete’s All-Star BBQ Blues Band live at the Oroheum! Blues styles from Chicago to New Orleans to Kansas City with Bob Hiltunen’s fantastic Blues Guitar and Lead Vocals, Mike Irish’s Guitar & Vocals, Mark Lucier on Drums, Scott Veenstra on Bass, and Deb Kinzi on Percussion, Plus their Brass section Hornucopia, with Jim Weiler on Trumpet (plus Keys and Vocals too), Paul Keranen on Sax and Mandy Kramer on Trombone.
You can grab tickets ahead of time and save a couple bucks at the link below, or admission is ten dollars on the day of the show. Music starts about 8pm and doors should be open by 7pm. Tickets: https://orpheumhancock.square.site/product/uncle-petes-all-star-bbq-blues-band/35?cs=true&cst=custom
Full Bio:
There is nothing more American than the Blues! And Uncle Pete’s All-Star Barbeque Blues Band is ALL about the blues and Electric Americana! Since forming in August of 2008, the band has thrilled audiences in clubs, at festivals, and in concerts in Michigan with their diverse and dynamic music. UPASB3’s first home was the Library Brew Pub in Houghton where they played as a 4---piece band every Thursday from September 2008 through January of 2009 highlighting the Library’s Texas Barbeque night. Boisterous crowds started to frequent the Pub and UPASB3 developed a loyal following. In response to audience enthusiasm, the band expanded its repertoire to include classic Electric Americana songs, and some original blues blues---inflected tunes.
Riding on its initial wave of success, Uncle Pete’s started to perform at Summer Festivals, outdoor concerts, and clubs. In the summer of 2010 the original quartet added a unique 3---piece saxophone section, the Tabascophones. Currently, the hard driving horn section, Hornucopia, adds an irresistible energy to the already---popular group!
Dynamic sound + deep grooves with great vocals/stories + infectious jamming + high energy = Uncle Pete’s. This irresistible formula provides just the energy and creativity that you need! Sit back and leave the grooving to Uncle Pete’s All-Star Barbecue Blues Band!
BOB HILTUNEN, lead guitar and lead vocals. Bob is one of the most charismatic and dynamic musician/entertainers to come out of the Copper Country! Deeply rooted in the electric blues tradition, he spins off great guitar solos in the spirit and sound
of Albert Collins, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix. His joyous spirit and infectious energy is very evident in his vocals and songwriting, which take an audience for a ride that makes time stand still. Relax, put your feet up and let Bobby do the driving!
MIKE IRISH, rhythm guitar and background vocals. Mike has been playing professionally since 1967 and has covered just about every popular and jazz style imaginable. He takes great pride in creating an irresistible groove on each and every song. Mike also does the horn arranging for UPASB3.
MARK LUCIER, drums. “Da Loosh” is, without a doubt, a “total package” musician that can play any style of music and make it “alive!” At times being a member of 8 different bands in the area, he and Bob Hiltunen are perhaps the hardest working musicians in the Western U.P.. Rock, jazz, country, blues, ethnic music – you name it, Mark can play it! Blessed with an abundance of creativity, wit, and drive, he really gets gigs hoppin’!
SCOTT VEENSTRA, bass and background vocals. Scott (a.k.a. the Big Bodini) is the consummate groove bass player. He and “da Loosh” are joined at the hip when it comes to generating nasty, foot---stompin’ energy. Man, he is solid, solid, solid! Scott also possesses a great voice, and is an outstanding trumpet player (as exhibited by his lead work in the funk band, Tuff Stuff). He has also been busy backing Copper Country/Nashville standout, Hannah Bethel and was a longtime member of Copper Island.
HORNUCOPIA – the fabulous horn section:
JIM WEILER, trumpet/keys/vocals. “Wheels” is a veteran blues and rock musician. Recently inducted into the South Dakota Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Jim has played throughout the United States. A soulful vocalist, a grooving keyboard player, and an outstanding lead trumpeter make perfectly suitedt o Hornucopia and Uncle Pete’s!
PAUL KERANEN, tenor sax. This is the “Elder” blues man in the section! Paul’s playing is a veritable history of Western U.P. and Wisconsin blues, rock and jazz groups. He loves being a section member of Hornucopia and is a dynamic soloist with UPASB3. The “Elder” currently makes his home in Lake Linden.
MANDY (Koko) KRAMER, trombone. If you want to make a horn section sound huge, get a rockin’ trombonist like Mandy. “Koko” provides the solid foundation of Hornucopia, and is a funky soloist to boot. Formerly the lead trombone player for the award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, she is a wonderful musician, equally versed in jazz, blues, and rock.
DEB KINZI, percussion. Providing the “color” to the indelible grooves of the band is “Miz K.”. Hand percussion, bongos, cowbells, tambourines are her weapons of choice in her groove arsenal. The newest member of Uncle Pete’s, she is retired from her “The Blue Iris” Flower Shop in Houghton