The JAZZ-MANIAN DEVILS (also known as The BLUES-MANIAN DEVILS) is a jazz & blues trio featuring three of the most versatile and dynamic musicians in the New York area. The band has two names but no matter what you call them their music is soulful, melodic, intelligent, and exciting. They have been working in and around the New York City area for the last 15 years.
ROBERT ROSS: (vocals & guitar) is a NY Blues Hall of Fame inductee, and a two time New York Music Award winner (1989 & 2011) for Best Blues Artist. He has been nominated a total of 7 times for a NYMA alongside such stars as Johnny Copeland, Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., Roscoe Gordon, Cyndi Lauper and Mose Allison. The singer, songwriter, guitarist, slide guitarist, & harmonica player is known for a wide variety of blues, jazz, soul jazz, and New Orleans jazz. Robert worked and recorded with Big Joe Turner for Spivey Records & for Doc Pomus. He also worked with Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Brownie McGhee, Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Rush, Dr. John, J.B. Hutto, Victoria Spivey, Louisiana Red, Eddie Kirkland, Floyd Jones, Homesick James, Bobby Lewis, Pinetop Perkins, Charles & Cyrille Neville, David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Linda Hopkins, Wilbert Harrison, & Champion Jack Dupree. One of Ross’ songs was recorded and released twice by Johnny Winter. Two other originals appeared on ABC TV’s daytime drama “All My Children”. Robert has toured Europe and North America with The Robert Ross Band has performed at numerous festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival, and is a perennial at the Riverhead Blues Festival on Long Island. The Robert Ross Band has released 7 internationally distributed cds. Ross performs as a solo (acoustic or electric), as a duo, and with The Robert Ross Band.
STEVE HOLLEY: (drums & back up vocals) has played with some of the biggest stars in the music industry for good reason, he is supremely gifted, tasteful, and versatile. The full list is too long to list here, but it includes Paul McCartney, Joe Cocker, and Elton John as well as numerous jazz and blues artists. Like a good point guard in basketball “Holly Holy Holley” has a way of making everyone around him a better player.
DAVE HOFSTRA: (upright acoustic bass, & back up vocals) was featured in the premier issue of Bass Player magazine in 1990. He has performed with numerous jazz and blues artists including John Zorn, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Earl King, Phillip Johnston (Transparent Quartet & Big Trouble), The Microscopic Septet, Denis Charles, Claire Daly, William Parker, Jemeel Moondoc, Joel Forrester, Bobby Previte, Lou Grassi, Bobby Radcliff, James “Thunderbird” Davis, Grady Gaines, Debbie Davies, The Robert Ross Band, Chris Carter, Elliot Sharp, Marshall Crenshaw, Smokey Hormel, Marc Ribot, and Rachelle Garniez.
VIDEO
It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing
Robert Ross & The Jazz-Manian Devils performing “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” with music by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Irving Mills. Mal Stein (drums); Dave Hofstra (upright bass); and Robert Ross (vocals & guitar). Mike Tapp producer, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). See it here: http://youtu.be/fpEQMQdmkms
Robert Ross & The Jazz-Manian Devils performing “Makin’ Whoopee” with lyrics by Gus Kahn and music by Walter Donaldson. Mal Stein (drums); Dave Hofstra (upright bass); and Robert Ross (vocals & guitar). Mike Tapp producer, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). See it here: http://youtu.be/lP5tfEuTIkM
Robert Ross & The Jazz-Manian Devils performing “You Can’t Have Your Cake” composed by Robert Ross. Mal Stein (drums); Dave Hofstra (upright bass); and Robert Ross (vocals & guitar). Mike Tapp producer, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEz2avm0wZM
Robert Ross & The Jazz-Manian Devils performing “Something Blue” composed by Robert Ross. Mal Stein (drums); Dave Hofstra (upright bass); and Robert Ross (vocals & guitar). Mike Tapp producer, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSKnxBFpc-Y