Celebrating the Music of Jeff Beck

Sam Hooper is a captivating American musician from Cleveland, Ohio. His alluring blend of blues, rock, jazz and funk has thrilled audiences in China, Switzerland, Finland, Japan and the USA. His soulful vocals have been compared to Otis Redding, while critics have likened his blistering guitar playing to Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.

WINNER of the 2018 Northeast Ohio Blues Association, (NEOBA) BLUES CHALLENGE, Sam Hooper Group were Semifinalists in the The International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN, January, 2019.

Hooper’s love for the blues came through hearing the blues/rock that was popular in his high school years. His first listen to “Red House” on Jimi Hendrix’s Smash Hits album was a turning point. It peaked his interest to dig deeper. He discovered the music’s rich history through records by Lightnin’ Hopkins, Lead Belly, Son House, John Lee Hooker and others that he borrowed from the library. He would slow them down to catch the phrasing. He’d also take empty liquor bottles to the hardware store and have the necks cut off so he could use them to play slide guitar.

A graduate of Florida’s University of Miami School of Music and an alumni of Berklee College of Music’s Songwriting Program in Boston, Hooper is also an experienced educator. Most recently, he joined Roots of American Music (ROAM) in Cleveland as a Teaching Artist. In this position, he lead classes of high school students in writing and performing songs together about diversity and intolerance. He has taught guitar privately for over 10 years in Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles and Shanghai to students from five years old to adults.

With five CDs released on the FBJoy Records label, Hooper’s songs have been heard by millions on the hot daytime TV Dramas All My Children and The Young and the Restless.

“a soulful singer …fiery, virtuoso guitar” – Joel Simches, The Noise

Guy Snowdon is a recording and voiceover artist, bassist, songwriter and performer. In 2016, he relocated from the “Second City” of England, Birmingham to the rock capital of the US – Cleveland, Ohio. Currently, Guy can be seen performing as a solo singer-songwriter, with Carl Baldasarre’s Led Zeppelin Revival, and with his new originals project, Guy Snowdon & The Citizens.

Guy’s original music spans his many inspirations that range from Queen and Eric Clapton to The Beatles and Pink Floyd. It is his voice that hits you first and has been compared to famous front men like Whitesnake’s David Coverdale, Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell or Free’s Paul Rodgers.

“Guy is one of Coventry’s best imports. From ‘across the pond’ as they say, Guy brings a brand new selection of songs. With a powerful voice, it is just a wonderful show.” – Panini’s Coventry

“Guy Snowdon is amazing!” – BarNone Wine-Beer-Spirits

“Guy rocked the house at Macaron Cafe. It was an amazing night! 5 star performance.” – Hough Chocolates & Macaron Cafe Coventry

“Epic show last night! Guy Snowdon & The Citizens were amazing surprises. Check out the band if you get a chance, especially if you appreciate listening to over the top, sick guitar! Can’t wait to have them back.” – Five O’Clock Lounge

​”Bluesy over-driven guitars, tight grooves, soulful organ and belting vocals make up a track that feels as vibrant and virile as Rock n’ Roll always has and always will. Snowdon gives the listener thrills and chills with a timeless-sounding track that feels right at home in any era. ” – Mindrocket Sessions

Denise Rainey Pace has years of experience in the Cleveland music scene and currently performs with Nitebridge

Gaetano, also known as Tom, was born in Cleveland in 1951. He began performing his own blues shows at the age of 16. One of his first stage appearances was with the James Gang, sitting in for Joe Walsh at his Alma Mater, Kent State in 1970. Since then, he’s performed all over the U.S. along with Europe and Asia.

Early performances with June Core of Robert Jr. Lockwood’s band, gave Gaetano a strong blues foundation based on B.B. King, Albert King, Muddy Waters and all the great blues patriarchs.

Producer of ten blues and jazz guitar CD’s, Gaetano has received stellar reviews in Downbeat, Guitar Player and many national/international publication and his music has been played on radio stations in every state as well as most foreign countries.

The Underworld Band is Gaetano’s blues trio formed in 2010 and now beginning to tour the U.S. with plans for European and Asian tours in the works. The band won the Cleveland Blues Society’s 2014 Memphis Challenge and did four great shows in Memphis. The Underworld Band plays creative blues shows that audiences love and will remember. The band has two excellent CD’s, Voodoo Doll & Other Blues Lessons 2014 and Resurrection 2016.

Described as “a guitarist’s guitarist” and a “virtuoso” by music critics, Gaetano’s music stays true to the roots of blues while advancing the standard blues forms to delight the listener. “A new take on the blues” describes Gaetano’s treatment of modern blues problems in our lives now that we’re far from sharecropping in Mississippi. With blazing electric solos, red hot slide playing and nylon string guitar, listeners will be treated to a fun style of blues rock combined with funk and R&B that grooves and makes you move. The guitar playing is top shelf and the performances are high energy, audience oriented fun.

Versatile Cleveland musician Michele George has played violin and viola with regional symphony orchestras throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as for productions at Playhouse Square and the Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. She has shared the stage with George Benson, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Clark, Hawkwind, Meat Loaf, and Il Divo. As an electric violinist in Cleveland, she has played with the award winning experimental space-rock band Einstein’s Secret Orchestra, the Tellers, Witch Disco, and has made appearances with Moss Stanley’s Nitebridge. Other musical collaborations include Riverfire Strings, an eclectic acoustic ensemble with guitarist Pete Cavano and cellist Jeffrey Schimelpfenig, and the Apollo String Quartet.