Incognito

Artist Information

Biography

In 25 years of rocking the west coast Incognito has earned its reputation in the upper echelon of Vancouver’s sizzling R and B scene. With five CD’s and countless miles of touring on the clock, this skin-tight blues machine just keeps gathering steam. Their current release “The Long Way”, [Oct.,2007] finds the band stretching in new directions, adding elements of classic soul and funk to their blues stew.

In 2003 Incognito toured mainly in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest including club festival, and convention dates in Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC and Washington State as well as opening shows for Johny Winter, and Delbert McLinton, and a couple of TV appearances on Edmonton’s “Great Big Breakfast”. The coming year sees the band recording live and studio tracks for their new CD and continuing to perform before audiences in music venues, clubs and at festival dates in British Columbia and Washington state.
Incognito also continues to be the weekly hosts of the famed Yale Hotel Saturday Blues Jam.

Incognito came together in 1984 under the leadership of blues guitar prodigy Rob Montogmery and westcoast harmonica legend Sherman Doucette. Together they recruited arguably the best blues rhythm section on the coast: Bob Woods from the Matt Minglewwod Band, and Bob Popowich from 6 Cylinder. Incognito was an immediate hit with their hard driving boogie, and rocking blues style. 14 years and countless road miles took their toll on Sherman and in '98 he was replaced by harp player, guitarist and lead vocalist, Oliver Conway, from Oliver and the Elements. Oliver is a showman known for his soulful voice, funkifized playing, and his way with an audience. In 2003 veteran drummer Darrell Mayes has taken on the majority of work from "New Dad" Bob Woods. Darrell brings 10 years experience with the Colin James Band and a powerful style to Incognito. Together the band has been exploring some cool directions in writing and recording.

In 2010 Nadine States took over as lead vocalist, after many outstanding guest appearances with the Band. Nadine had worked with Rob Montgomery on numerous projects and their shared musical passion, has given Incognito the best version of this Band to date! Popular demand is at an all-time high! The Band's 6th CD is slated for release Fall of 2011. We look forward to seeing you at our shows!

Instrumentation

Nadine States - Lead Vox
Rob Montgomery - Guitar/Lead Vocals
David Barton - bass / vocals
Darrell Mayes - Drums/Vocals
Steve Werbicki - Keys/Vocals

Discography

Discography

1992 “ Incognito”[Independent] Combined classic Blues with originals from the bands writing team, and garnered considerable west coast radio play for singles “Train Coming” “Hot Blues and Cold Beer”.

1995 “Blues Alive” [Independent]-a red hot representation of the band’s hard driving blues, recorded live at the Yale Hotel, Vancouver. Featured single “Blue Angel”

1998 “Live Blues on Whyte”-Live Compilation of the best of the bands from Edmonton’s premier blues bar.

1999-“Bitter Sweet”[Turtle Records]-Incognito’s first mainly original outing. Featured singles ‘Pull That Love’, ‘That’s the Way Love Goes”

1999-“West Coast Blues Party” Incognito joined Powder Blues, Jim Byrnes, Kenny Wayne, Hurricane and the Twisters, on this compilation of the best of Vancouver’s Blues.-in aid of CKNW orphans fund

2001-“Four” [Aero Music Co.] Incognito’s current outing. Features great new songs from the band and a few tasty covers. Singles ‘Getaway’, ‘Waterfall’.

2002-Live at the Yale-Storman Norman’s 10th Anniversary [Aero Music]-legendary DJ assembles a stellar cast in aid of Street Youth Resources. Incognito leads off with ‘That’s What Love Will Do’.
Sept 2007 Incognito releases "The Long Way", an all original CD.

Links

• MySpace

Audio

Video

Knock on Wood.wmv

Photo Gallery

Press

• On the Road in Alberta Nov 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "Incognito unable to fly under Edmonton's radar" Vancouver crew turns in one of the best sets of ..."Incognito unable to fly under Edmonton's radar"
  
  Vancouver crew turns in one of the best sets of year
  
  Peter North, Freelance
  Published: Friday, November 02
  
  Edmonton Journal
  
  There are peaks and valleys in the lifespan of any band, and we're fortunate enough this week to see the members of Vancouver's Incognito at the absolute top of their collective game.
  Making one of what is usually two annual pit stops in Edmonton, the blues-based group was firing bull's-eyes Tuesday night at Blues On Whyte and turning in what was one of the most polished, confident, tightly arranged and enjoyable sets the room has hosted in the past year.
  While the band has undergone the occasional personnel change in what has been a long run, each shuffle has given the band a broader, more well-rounded attack, which is a valuable ace when playing up to three sets a night.
  Lead and slide guitarist Rob Montgomery has been Incognito's pilot since day one, and the likable extrovert offstage remains the cool cat onstage, laying down lines that are as cleverly constructed as they are uncluttered and to the point.
  With Oliver Conway having been at centre stage for a few years now, the lead vocalist, tunesmith, guitarist, harp player and generous frontman more often than not propels the band into a blend of material that should satisfy any well-rounded roots-rock fan.
  On Tuesday straight-up, no-frills blues was showcased early on in a late-night set with an original titled Suitcase Full of the Blues that was actually written upstairs in the Commercial Hotel during Incognito's last stay.
  "There's something about this place that is conducive to writing new tunes, and we came away with a couple the last time we were here," Conway said with a grin before launching into the song that was an image-laden trip through a bluesman's life on the road.
  Conway's clean harp breaks bounce between tones that accent sweet melody lines to the turbulence and fire that is a prerequisite for tackling an Allman Brothers-inspired take of Sonny Boy Williamson's One Way Out.
  Nods to Van Morrison, Bob Seger and Delbert McClinton curl their way into Incognito originals without making them too derivative, and the band consistently composes songs around interesting and alluring changes rather than stock blues progressions. Covers of Little Feat's Two Trains, which put the Incognito rhythm section of Darrell Mayes (drums) and Bob Popwich (bass) into overdrive, and John Hiatt's Feels Like Rain were both spirited and soulful showstoppers.
  Other tunes that brought a number of late-night Oilers fans out of their funk following a loss to Detroit were an original written by Mayes called The First One's Always Free that was built around a slinky groove, and a hardcore blues gem from the legendary Freddy King.
  Incognito play three sets tonight and Saturday evening, and kick off the Saturday afternoon jam at Blues On Whyte at 3 p.m. Saturday
  

• Incognito [+ Show ]
  

  Incognito is a west coast outfit who seek to mine the blues rock vein. Their tunes range from bluesy...Incognito is a west coast outfit who seek to mine the blues rock vein. Their tunes range from bluesy rock and latin rhythms to the odd funky interlude. Good production and solid playing.

• Local
  

  Hot Blues Band Flogs Cold Brew. Montgomery's fiery fretwork heats up the dance floor.

• Red Hot and Smokin
  

  The great white north's top blues/rock band!

• A Fan's Guide- Incognito [+ Show ]
  

  It was a pleasure to hear their well crafted originals and lovingly covered blues standards, both pl...It was a pleasure to hear their well crafted originals and lovingly covered blues standards, both played with joy and conviction.

• Entertainment Review
  

  This blues band rocked Abbotsford. Incognito will be back in September and I'll be there.

• Blues painted in broad strokes. [+ Show ]
  

  Hard driving blues hounds give it every night. You'd be hard pressed to find a more popular blues-ba...Hard driving blues hounds give it every night. You'd be hard pressed to find a more popular blues-based band in British Columbia.

• Entertainment [+ Show ]
  

  Incognito is a tight group whose members have a firm grasp of the various forms the blues can take. ...Incognito is a tight group whose members have a firm grasp of the various forms the blues can take. It was a set that rocked and shouted.

Setlist

Incognito has a large repertoire-currently running around 150 songs, including classic blues, rhythm and blues, soul and rock and roll, as well as a selection of originals from their four CD's. This makes it possible for the band to suit the show to the audience. A given show list may include Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, BB King, Muddy Waters, Little Feat, Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones. In a 4 hour club engagement the band will usually play 3 one hour shows. In concert a 90 minute show [excluding encores] is typical.

Basic Requirements

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