Black River Blues

The Black River Blues Are:

Harold Wooten – Keyboards & Vocals
With a rich, long and varied musical heritage, Harold started out his career as a child playing the Hammond organ in church. His musical history includes the cello as part of a collegiate string quartet, saxophone in marching and jazz bands, classical orchestra conducting, and of course, his true love, the keyboards. Harold played with Etta James, toured from Boston to Berkeley and has spent the last decade playing up and down the West Coast with The Big Earl’s Blues Band and other musical entities. Harold’s musical influences include Bach, Beethoven, Sly and the Family Stone, the Neville Brothers and a variety of blues legends. Harold plays live music as a matter of survival; according to Harold, “without performing, your soul dies… So here’s to living!”

Jerry Peterson - Guitar & Vocals
Born and raised just outside of Seattle, Jerry is a homegrown talent. He picked up a guitar just after High School and came to the blues once he heard “The Thrill is Gone” played by B.B. King. Jerry’s eyes were opened by B.B. King and his listening to Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin' Wolf sealed the deal. The Black River Blues Band came from Jerry’s desire to share "the Blues" with everyone he could - because the Blues aren't about being down, they're about being alive. Being alive can be a great joy even if you do have the blues…and he’s got 'em - bad!

Brian Arthur - Bass Guitar
When it comes to music, as long as it grooves Brian will play it. When it comes to instruments, bass is what moves him. Having played guitar, keys and bass in various bands over the years, Brian keeps coming back to bass. Locally, he’s played keys in Deep Sleep Narcotics Company, Guitar and Keys in Hungry Dogs, and Keys in Sugarsmacks. He writes music in various styles and always enjoys a solid funk groove. Stevie Wonder, James Brown and David Bowie are musicians that inspire him, as are all the old Blues and Jazz cats - Jack McDuff, Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Smith, Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Albert King, BB King, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters.

Craig Stetina - Drums
A native of Wisconsin, Craig relocated to Seattle via Los Angeles. Formerly of Bare Root (San Francisco) & The Geckos (Los Angeles), Craig has opened for Cheap Trick, Pat Mc Donald (Timbuk 3) and Janine Mc Cullough among many others. Craig has written and produced the music for the comedy cooking video, You've had Worse Things in your Mouth starring Billi Gordon. Craig is also a sought after studio drummer who has done commercial spots for ESPN and has done recording for the ACT Theater in Seattle. He’s played in Seattle with The Krell, Capt. Leroy and The Zydeco Locals and Angela Hammontree before joining The Black River Blues Band.