Broken Arrow Blues Band

Artist Information

Biography

Broken Arrow's style is pure Detroit Style" in your face" Electric Blues & Boogie. From it's conception, the Band has hit the ground running, releasing the first of three CD's in just 4 months. The first CD saw ratings on the Roots & Blues Music Charts straight away with 3 of the cuts in the top 20 for weeks. Broken Arrow Has shared the stage with Industry Giants like: Walter Trout,Twice!! Ana Popovic,Twice!!, Johnny Winter, & The Kinsey Report & Coco Montoya...not bad for a "NEW" Band. The Band followed that up with a LIVE release, and has released their next studio CD & will be releasing another LIVE CD soon. The music of Broken Arrow Blues Band is a mixture of Traditional Blues leaning to the rocky side& with some Funk mixed in and a flare of Jazz/Fusion interspersed with non traditional changes and BIG Chords. The feel of this Band could be described only as Broken Arrow's Detroit Style Electric Blues & Boogie. With a diverse cut of seasoned Musicians such as the band's make up , the band is truly world class. Shadowhawk Ellis, from Louisville, Kentucky, A Circuit Mainstay & Drummer for 37 years, Geno Leverett, From Farmington Hills, Michigan, a 30+ year Veteran Bassman & Vocalist, plays Electric Bass 4 & 5 string. Mr. Christopher Leigh, From Smith's Creek, Michigan on Guitars, D & G Slide Guitars, Mandolin & Vocals, and Tom "Fossdawg: Fosselman on Keyboards & Vocals, and recently added, Mr. Larry "MUGS" Benedict, on Harps & Vocals, give the band a great mix of styles and a tendency to cover all the bases in a Deep Grooved, Hard Hitting performances. Look for the Band to be at almost ALL the larger Blues Festivals in 2012, and touring soon to a venue near you. If you have NOT seen the Band, all I can say is .....you're missing THE Best Band out of Detroit in many, many years.... Call us!!! We'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to come show what we're all about!!!

Instrumentation

Shadowhawk Ellis - Percussion/Vocals/Composer/ Owner/Manager Broken Arrow Blues LLC
Christopher Leigh - slide guitar, Guiitar, Lead & Back Up Vocals
Adam Rau - Electric 6 string & Upright 4 string
Mugs Benedict - Vocals, Harps
Tom "Fossdawg" Fossselman - Organ and Keys, Vocals & Back Up Vocals, Arranger/Composer, Keyboards/Vocals/Composer

Discography

Debut Release "Given Right" February 2009 / No Cover Productions, recorded At Straight Ahead Studios in Oak Park, Michigan. Second release "Broken Arrow LIVE @ Callahan's" July 25th 2009, Recorded LIVE in Auburn Hills, Michigan at Callahan's Music Hall Engineered by Peter Jay, Our Third release and second studio effort is out & was released on June 11th 2010, recorded at Motor City Sounds Studios in Rochester, MI / Mixed at Roscoe's Recordings, Detroit, MI / and Mastered at The Woodshed by Tim Pak, in Radford, Virginia USA... The NEW Band line up has just released it's 4th CD works August 30th, 2011 titled "No Time To Waste" also recorded & this time mixed at Motor City Sounds Studios in Rochester Michigan& Mastered at The Woodshed in Radford, VA by Tim Pak. Produced solely by Shadowhawk Ellis, the work contains 8 original works composed by Shadowhawk, and 2 Covers by Ray Charles & Paul Rogers, with one of the originals a revised version of the popular Put Up Or Shut Up Track off "Good Times". The new CD will be available on all digital download sites as well as at the band's website at http://brokenarrowbluesband.com . There is a 5th CD in the works now with 12 tracks of all original music that should be completed & released by March of 2012. Look out for the Band to be out touring in support of this latest work and taking the satge all over the US & Canada.

Links

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Sound Cloud
• Radio Submit
• iTunes
• Amazon
• CD Baby

Audio

• The River is Risin'
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• She Don't Know
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• Big Boned Woman
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• Hollar Stomp Dance
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• Hard Times
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• My Turn To Play
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Broken Arrow Blues Band "No Time To Waste" 09/2011 [+ Show ]
  

  November, 2011 / Blues Notes Magazine / Detroit Blues Society / Reviewed by Wolfgang Spider ...November, 2011 / Blues Notes Magazine / Detroit Blues Society /
  
  Reviewed by Wolfgang Spider
  
  After a brief Hiatus Broken Arrow Blues Band is back on the street with a new lineup and a seriously HEAVY attitude. Their HOT new package is titled "No Time To Waste". This one represents a definite shift from the intricate compisitions of past albums. The 10 tracks in this collection cry out " Let's get down and Party!!"
  
  Percussion Wiz, Shadowhawk Ellis steps out front this time doing lead vocals on 7 of the 10 tracks. Just to reinforce that point Ellis also takes writter & composer credits on 8 of the 10. To get the party started the collection leads of with two rockers. "The River Is Risin'", and "She Don't Know". Ellis demonstrates that he has the the vocal chops to cover the gamut from the rockers on down to heavy blues. He has a gritty vocal style that fits oh so well on these recordings.
  
  Guitar Man, Christopher Leigh is featured throughout the collection. His prowess with the 6 string is well respected by Detroiters in the know. He & Ellis have worked together in the past in "The Boogie Chillens Band. It is great to have them reunited once again. Leigh is also is a talented vocalist and shows it when he takes lead on the slow blues Ray Charles Cover "Hard Times".
  
  Vocalist Trish Shandor, leads a jump blues number titled "My Turn To Play" that will have the listener moving to the beat. She concludes the set with a sexy New Orleans flavored slow one which is also the title track, 'No Time To Waste" As with any party collection the fans look for a chance to cuddle with a main squeeze and this tune fills the bill.
  
  Bass duties in this collection are shared by Veteran musicians James Cloyd, Rudy Alcala, & Ben Luttermoser. the bass lines are prominent in these recordings providing that necessary heart throb foundation that listeners enjoy. Toledo, Ohio Native and Harmonica Man, Mugs Benedict is featured on a slow blues instrumental titled "Mugshot". Piano & B-3 comes via Tom Fossleman, also a talented and Veteran player with many years experience. This blend of seasoned players cements the backdrop for the featured vocalists.
  
  Recorded and mixing was at Motor City Sounds (Rochester, MI) under the guidance of Motor City Josh Ford. His capable hands captured each instrument clearly providing a very enjoyable product. Mastering was by Tim Pakledinaz at The Wood Shed in Virginia.
  
  The Broken Arrow Blues Band has another winner on it's hands. This collection rocks out the party tunes and gets down on the gritty side of things with it's blues. Add this album to your library. You'll be glad you did.
  
  Wolfgang Spider / DBS

• Kevin Hardy KCOR Music Director/Host of Main Street Blues [+ Show ]
  

  Broken Arrow Blues Band- No Time To Waste Broken Arrow Blues Band's new cd "No Time To Waste" is ...Broken Arrow Blues Band- No Time To Waste
  
  Broken Arrow Blues Band's new cd "No Time To Waste" is an amazing cd that grabs ahold of you from the first note and doesn't let go even when you've listened to the last song.
  Shadowhawk Ellis (Vocals & Percussion) is both the leader and the backbone of the band and can growl out the blues with the best of them. Backed by a brand new line up, BABB is stronger than ever and proof that the blues in Detriot are still alive and kicking!
  Start listening to "No TIme To Waste" and you wont want to stop. Get this cd in your collection NOW!
  
  Kevin Hardy
  KCOR Music Director/Host of Main Street Blues

• The Blues Review [+ Show ]
  

  Broken Arrow Blues Band Live at Callahan’s Music Hall Self Released The hottest new band arou...Broken Arrow Blues Band
  
  Live at Callahan’s Music Hall Self Released
  
  The hottest new band around town has many years of experience behind each musician. All the band mates are well seasoned and have impressive credentials. Although the Broken Arrow Blues Band is often seen around town with the addition of a keyboard man, this CD features their trio configuration. It is amazing how this trio can fill the room with a really big sound. This collection of eight tracks was skillfully recorded at Callahan’s Music Hall on July 25, 2009 by Peter Jay. Alen “Big Al” Grebovic is the featured vocalist and he demonstrates a nice range of styles. His guitar prowess is outstanding. He hits you up side the head with heavy and slashing guitar riffs on tunes such as Baby’s Gone and Politician and then lulls you with slow blues and jazz. Drummer Shadowhawk Ellis is the heart beat behind the group. Without his masterful pulse the action just would not happen. Bass man Tim Tucker is featured in this collection. His bass lines are outstanding and he compliments the others beautifully. These guys have it “goin’ on” so to speak, they are in the groove and their music takes the blues to new horizons. The band leans heavily to the rock side of the blues although they include a slick jazzy number written by Grebovic titled No More You and Me. That one is too cool and showcases each band member. Four of the eight tracks were written by Grebovic. The band opens the collection with their take on the moody Jeff Beck instrumental tune Brush With The Blues. That one gives the listener a change to sit back and relax. Don’t get too laid back however as the funky song Given Right is next. The guys must dig Eric Johnson (Spider does as well) because they do one of his songs titled Still A Part Of Me. This slow blues laments a love lost. Last in the set is an instrumental foot stomper titled Stratus. This is a great CD by a great new band on the Detroit Scene. Buy it and enjoy it as Spider does. Get more information on the Broken Arrow Blues Band at: www.brokenarrowbluesband.com.
  
  Wolfgang Spider
  

• 2010 Good Times Cd Review / Wolfgang Spider / DBS Board [+ Show ]
  

  BROKEN ARROW BLUES BAND Good Times/Self Released "Good Times" Release date 6/11/2010 Good Times ...BROKEN ARROW BLUES BAND
  Good Times/Self Released "Good Times" Release date 6/11/2010
  
  Good Times is the latest release by the Broken Arrow Blues Band. It is a mix of blues, jazz, rock, fusion and a hint of soul. Released in June of 2010 it displays the extraordinary talents of these musicians. The recordings capture the feeling of the wonderful live performances for which this group is so well known regionally.
  
  An outstanding component of this collection is that all instruments are easily heard and appreciated throughout. The cool bass lines of Peter Carter and the masterful percussion work of Shadowhawk Ellis indeed lead some of the song intros and carry the heart beat of all of the music. The keyboard prowess of Leo Early is an important component to the success of these songs. The marvelous guitar work of Alen Grebovic covers a range of blues, jazz, funk and moody styles marking him as a special talent. The beauty of these four musicians is that they mesh their talents into music that grooves as a single entity and the recordings capture that quality nicely. Grebovic, Carter and Ellis each contribute their fine talents as lead vocalists. Motor City Josh did the engineering and recording work on the album at his Ford Music Studio as well as lending his guitar talent on several tracks. Paxton Morris added his guitar to several tracks as well.
  
  All twelve songs in this album are originals, nine by Grebovic and three by Ellis. These are not traditional blues but rather ride the wave into the next generation of blues-based music. The songs Life Without You, True Love in Your Heart and the jazzy number It’s You will lull the listener with a slower take on things. Crazy Shotgun Blues, Good Times, Downside Up and Walking in the Shadow of Your Love push the tempo upward. Heavy hitters Bad Luck & Trouble, Flat Feets and the rocker Livin’ in Detroit get the listeners jumping for sure. Add the semi-funky Put Up or Shut Up along with the jazzy instrumental Downtown Blues featuring the rhythm section and you have a well balanced and exceptional album. Good Times is a great new release by the Broken Arrow Blues Band and it will lead them to the broader recognition they so richly deserve.
  
  Wolfgang Spider
  Detroit Blues Society

• Broken Arrow Blues Band
  

  See Scan in Pictures folder****

• Ana Popovic + Broken Arrow [+ Show ]
  

  WED, JUNE 10 -- ANA POPOVIC /wsg Broken Arrow Blues Band ... ANA POPOVIC is more than a beautiful wo...WED, JUNE 10 -- ANA POPOVIC /wsg Broken Arrow Blues Band ... ANA POPOVIC is more than a beautiful woman from Belgrade, Yugoslavia. She is also a accomplished blues musician with a string of strong albums and growing fan base world wide.
  Holding down both lead guitar and vocal roles ANA is increasingly recognized for not only her playing and performance, but also her songwriting. Melding traditional blues arrangements with elements of jazz she earned numerous nominations and awards over the years.
  Now its your chance to see this beautiful and talented blues musician in person. Don't miss ANA POPOVIC when she performs at CALLAHAN'S on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th. Showtime is around 8PM when Detroit's own Broken Arrow Blues band opens the show. Advance Tickets are on sale now ... https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale?action=selectPerformance&performance_id=984195
  

Setlist

Typical sets are 100 minutes, and are comprised of a mix of 80% original material & 20% Covers ranging from our takes on Cream to B.B. King to Little Feet.... ALL our shows at Venues other than Festivals are two, 100 minute sets. Depending on the event, these times will vary.

Basic Requirements

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