EversoJake

The Chicago band "Everso Jake" wowed their audience with a blues-rock concert at the Falkensee music bar “schrääg ‘rüber".

"Everso Jake" from Chicago brought real blues-rock to the German town of Falkensee. They simply have to come back!

Everso Jake is Chicago slang – an expression from the 1920s meaning something like "forever cool". It is also the name of a Chicago blues-rock band consisting of Liz Walker (vocals), Yoko Kusama (bass), Dennis Kuzel and Peter Hodes (both guitar), and Stephen Bass (drums). The magical atmosphere they created at the Falkensee bar "schrääg ‘rüber" on May 19th proves they justly carry such a name. Usually, bar owner Heiko Richter takes it easy on the Saturday after Ascension Day (a public holiday in Germany). But despite the fact that most of Falkensee was still fighting a hangover, the "schrääg ‘rüber" did not lack an audience. The well-known bar owner frequently opens his stage to musicians from around the world. He expresses his delight at welcoming Everso Jake: "Even though the date was not quite ideal and I would have wished the band a better one, I did not want to miss the chance of having a top-notch band from the heart of the electric blues perform here. After all, they came all the way over from the shores of Lake Michigan and are doing a short tour of parts of the former East Germany right now !"

Richter, a music expert and great fan of blues music, certainly had the right idea. The band’s performance and the audience’s enthusiastic reaction left no doubts about that – there was not a single guest that night who went home disappointedly. The local blues band "Friday night" is full of praise for the Chicagoans. "I’m especially grateful to our local heroes", says Richter. "Not only did they let our guests use their equipment – they also looked after them really well." Thus it was no surprise the members of the two bands quickly got to talking shop - drummers Stephen Bass and Tim Kaltwasser, as well as guitarists Dennis Kuzel and Olaf Kaltwasser. Tenor saxophinist Gordon Wolff was chatting with technician Martin Ulrich, and bass player Roland Wolf with his American counterpart, the charming Yoko Kusama. Nobody let any language barrier get in their way.

In particular, vocalist Liz Walker instantly wins everyone over. The Falkensee blues fans are unanimous in their opinion: "She is just wonderful. Her voice is divine, like Janis Joplin’s."

The enthusiasm that night was mutual. "We are so happy about having such a great audience", says guitarist Peter Hodes. "They gave us a very warm reception. We’d also love to perform together with ‘Friday night‘."

Which might indeed happen – Heiko Richter is already planning to have the Chicago band over next year. "With this level of response, they simply have to come back! And I’m sure we’ll find the ideal date for the event." Perhaps the Germans will even return the favor and visit Chicago. "This is the really great kind of blues-rock, just like I -and so many others here in Falkensee - love!" exclaims Regine Müller from Falkenkrug.

"I also think it’s awesome that you can buy their album here, because their songs are just fantastic. I admire the fact that, except for one, they were all written by Liz Walker and Dennis Kuzel themselves. The band simply has to come back next year. Then, hordes of fans should be flocking to their concert!" Text and photos: Simone Duve - Falkensee Stadt-Journal 6/2007

“Everso Jake” perform in Altes Lager

ALTES LAGER, Germany. Uta Klag, manager of the “Das Haus” arts center in Altes Lager, has something very special in store for this year’s Ascension Day: at 11 am tomorrow morning, the Chicago blues-rock band “Everso Jake” will perform on the centre’s sunny patio. “Of course, this is a real highlight for us here”, says Klag, “and I hope many will use this opportunity to experience true Chicago blues-rock.”

It’s impossible to separate Chicago from blues music – more so than any other city in the world. It may be true that the city’s blues music scene has changed over the past few years, but Chicago still remains the “Mecca of Blues” for any blues musician.

“Four years ago, we were all still in different bands”, remembers Everso Jake drummer Don Lee. “But independently of one another, we were all members of the Electric Blues Ensemble of the legendary Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.” It was there that the artists were looking for like-minded people. Then, at one of their jam sessions, a stroke of luck occurred. “I could not even believe my ears”, says Don. “Those nuances Dennis Kuzel and Pete Hodes were getting out of their guitars – sheer magic! I already knew Yoko Kusama, our bass player, from previous sessions and was aware of how great a musician she is. But then Liz Walker, our vocalist, came along. I almost fell off my chair when she started singing. She sang like an angel with the soul of Mojo Moma.”

It is the band’s first time in Germany. “We are really looking forward to our performances here, and we can’t wait to meet our audience”, says Dennis Kuzel. “But we’d also like to look at some of the places where we’ll perform”, adds Yoko Kusama. “We know Germany has an old culture and all these historical towns - unlike the US. I’m especially excited to see some parts of the former East Germany, such as 1000-year-old Jüterbog.” - Maerkische Allgemeine Zeitung (MAZ)

“Everso Jake” from Chicago perform in Altes Lager / MAZ is giving away signed CDs

[“Everso Jake” from Chicago performed at “Das Haus” and left a deep impression – both at a professional and personal level]

ALTES LAGER. “The feeling of closeness with the band is amazing!” Michael Arold from Jüterbog exclaims excitedly. “They are really looking at their audience – there is actual communication going on.” Exuberant compliments like this one could be heard everywhere following the performance of the Chicago blues-rock band “Everso Jake” at the “Haus” in Altes Lager . The band members themselves felt similarly excited. “This audience is truly unique”, says guitarist Pete Hodes. “You could see they were captivated. They showed a real interest in our music. It’s not like that in the US.”

In particular, vocalist Liz Walker instantly wins everyone over. “All of the band members come across as warm and likeable and altogether lovely people”, says Christian Göritz, mayor of Altes Lager. “And Liz Walker is just charming. Her voice is exceptional.” Marko Göritz agrees. “Man, am I glad I listened to my brother and didn’t stay at home as planned!” he says. “Otherwise I would have really missed out…”

Even though blues music was the main theme of the event, the band did not deny their German audience a waltz. “I am so happy that out of all the events offered on Ascension Day, I chose this one”, says Mario Passin from Jüterbog. “The music, the audience, the atmosphere – it was incredible! Their blues-rock is fantastic – I bought their album right away.” Many in the audience felt that way, and the band’s CDs – even more coveted because they were signed by the band members -sold like hotcakes.

Event organizer Uta Klag did not hear any complaints that day. For her, the concert was a great success on more than one level. “It was a bit of a risk for us”, she admits. “We had never done anything like this at the “Haus” on Ascension day so far, so we couldn’t be sure how the event would be received by the audience.” She is especially happy about the many new guests that the concert drew to the “Haus.”

If you missed the band on Ascension Day, you still have a chance to see them perform at the Ludwigsfeld town festival on Sunday.

MAZ is giving away signed copies of Everso Jake’s new album to the first three people who call on Monday at 11am and correctly answer the following question: “At which Great Lake is Chicago – the City of Blues – located?
- Maerkische Allgemeine Zeitung (MAZ)