Vicki Stevens & Sonny Hess

Artist Information

Biography

Vicki Stevens from Seattle and Sonny Hess from Portland have joined forces. You may remember Sonny Hess with Paulette N’ Power Band, fronted by the late, great Paulette Davis from 1991 to 1996. The Power Band took Portland by storm in the early 90’s winning the Best R&B Act Award by the People’s Choice Crystal Awards. They had a tight sound with a recording contract in the works when Paulette met her untimely death. Since then, Sonny has continued looking for that “special connection” while performing in clubs and festivals with the Sonny Hess Band. When Vicki Stevens sat in with the legendary band, something happened that couldn’t be denied, ‘it was like, MAGIC’ and that magic was felt by everyone.

Vicki Stevens holds a Rainy Day Blues Society Rooster Award for Best Female Blues Vocalist. She was also a semi-finalist in Memphis’ International Blues Challenge and continues to slam Northwest audiences in the face with her bluesy vocal style and show-stopping performances. She connects with her crowds as though she knows them all personally.

Sonny Hess is the first woman guitar player to hold a nomination for Best Lead Guitar Muddy Award by the Cascade Blues Association as well as a nomination for a Lifetime Achievement Award. She has implemented many music programs in the area, fundraisers and benefits, and is known for her productions of The NW Women R&B shows.

Once you have heard these two powerful women perform together you will feel the magnetism. Chocolate and Vanilla never tasted soooo good! This group has its own style of funk, soul, and rhythm & blues. Come experience this ‘MAGIC’ firsthand!

Instrumentation

Vicki Stevens - Lead Vocals & Harmonica
Sonny Hess - Vocals & lead guitar
Jim Hively - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Kelly Pierce - Vocals, Drums & Percussion
Kevin Labaron - Tenor Saxophone & Vocals

Discography

Our first album as a team is just out of the studio, and will be available Jan 10, 2013.

Official Website

http://www.stevenshessband.com

Audio

• 29 ways
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• Lie Myself
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• I'm Not Leaving You
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• Groove Me
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• Built for Comfort
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• Pack it up
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Video

trim.qox9vC.MOV

Photo Gallery

Press

• The “Vicki Stevens & Sonny Hess Band” by Tom Harmon [+ Show ]
  

  The buzz, the electricity, even before the band started was fantastic. The band members were really ...The buzz, the electricity, even before the band started was fantastic. The band members were really enjoying the idea of performing this evening at the Blue Diamond in Portland OR. on this October evening. They greeted customers and friends as they came in the door, which created a real welcoming atmosphere. As things came about and it was time for the first set to begin the “Sonny Hess Band” started to cook with the very first song (an original by Sonny). The house roared with approval. Then, by the third song, the new vocalist Vicki Stevens came up on stage. Just as she was introduced a smile came across her face and a rumba broke out (a rumba, not a rumble). Vicki’s dominance and great voice captivated the audience to it’s next level of interest. Between Vicki and Sonny, Jim on bass, and Kelly on drums the crowd continued to respond after every song with outstanding approval.
  Sonny Hess is a great and seasoned player no doubt. Having played the Portland and regional circuit from the 80’s and 90’s Sonny played lead guitar for the Paulette N’ Power Band from 1991 to 1996. The Power Band took Portland by storm in the early 90’s winning the Best R&B Act Award by the People’s Choice Crystal Awards. They had a tight sound with a recording contract in the works when Paulette met her untimely death. Since then, Sonny has continued looking for that “special connection” while performing in clubs and festivals with the Sonny Hess Band. When Vicki sat in with the legendary band, something happened that couldn’t be denied, it was like, MAGIC and that magic was felt by everyone.
  Vicki Stevens holds a Rainy Day Blues Society Rooster Award for Best Female Blues Vocalist. She was also a semi-finalist in Memphis’ International Blues Challenge and continues to slam the Northwest audiences in the face of her bluesy vocal style and show stopping performances. She connects with her crowds as though she knows them personally.
  Sonny Hess is the first woman guitar player to hold a nomination for Best Lead Guitar Muddy Award by the Cascade Blues Association as well as a nomination for a lifetime Achievement Award. She has implemented many music programs in the area, fundraisers and benefits, and is known for her productions of the NW Women R&B shows.
  Bass player Jim Hively had some of the most slick bass lines and runs. Using his five string custom bass he ran off eighth notes that created a full sound while playing off lead guitarist Hess. The fullness of his playing made the band sound complete something not always achieved by a three piece band. Hively has played ever since he was a kid at school and at church. He was influenced early by bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Cold Blood, Sons of He’s played with Sonny Hess for the last nine years and is excited about the possibilities that the band has.
  Drummer Kelly Pierce has a professional delivery in every song he play’s whether it’s funk, blues, or rock. Tonight both him and Jim were in the pocket on every song. The energy he pours into the Sonny Hess Band behind the drums shines. He’s played with Sonny for eighteen years providing the driving force behind her guitar playing. Playing since he was sixteen his early influences were Tony Williams, John Bonham, and Sonny Payne (Big Band and Swing). He recently was in the studio with Hess and Hively finishing their most recent CD.
  The mix for the band was perfect. Each player maintained a volume that didn’t over power anybody and the vocals were clearly heard from all four mics. And their harmonies were beautiful.

Setlist

We perform many original tunes along with putting our spin on artist such as Freddie KIng, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, Denise LaSalle, Cold Blood, to mention a few. We believe set lists are meant to be designed for each individual show and then made to change to suit the audience response and feel.

Basic Requirements

Calendar