Jay Willie www.jaywilliebluesbandhome.net
started playing the guitar at the age of 12. His uncle Tony gave Jay some Blues records to listen to, including Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Ry Cooder, BB King, and Johnny Winter, and from that point on all Jay wanted to do was spend hours listening to these records and emulating the guitar parts. Growing up, one of the artists that Jay respected the most for his commitment and understanding of the blues was Johnny Winter. The 9-tracks album “Still Raisin’ Cane” (Street Date: May 23, 2025 / ZOHO) is the 7th rhythm and blues recording of Jay Willie featuring Bobby T. Torello. Jay says: “Still Raisin' Cane is a heartfelt tribute to my musical hero, Johnny Winter, and the incredible musicians who contributed to his legendary sound. Johnny's 1980 album Raisin' Cain on Blue Sky Records, featuring Jon Paris on bass/harmonica and Bobby T. on drums, was a pivotal record for me. I was fortunate enough to jam with both Jon and Bobby at BB King in NYC during Jon's Monday night open mic sessions, experiences that remain vivid. Paul Opalach, an accomplished bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and owner/engineer of Long Hill Recording Studio in Shelton, CT (where this album was recorded and mastered), plays bass on all tracks, lap steel on the title track, and some guitar on “Much Too Late”. Karen Johnstone's captivating vocals on "Much Too Late" add another layer of richness to the album. Her extensive experience performing in Connecticut, NYC, and throughout New England, across multiple genres, made her the ideal choice for this song. Doug Bernstein, whose saxophone has graced stages shared with B.B. King, Gatemouth Brown, The Nighthawks, Charlie Musselwhite, Roomful of Blues, and countless others, brings his incredible talent to this recording.memories.”
(Jay Willie & Bobby T. Torello / Photo by Dru Saren)
