Roots Revival
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Roots Revival

Lake Oswego, Oregon, United States

Lake Oswego, Oregon, United States
Band Blues

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Roots Revival"

Young phenom blues band, featuring TJ Moor on guitar, and the stunning multi-instrumentalist Mac Potts. At 14, Moor has already shared the stage with such blues legends as Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, both alumni of Muddy Waters band. And at 17, Potts on recent forays to New Orleans has sat in with Harry Connick Jr., the Storeyville Stompers and members of Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Next fall Roots Revival will become the youngest act from the Pacific Northwest to play the premier blues festival in the South, the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival in Helena Arkansas. - Peter Dammann


"On Tap This Month"

Normally we split the evening into acoustic and electric sets. But, tonight we thought that we would like to present one of the acts that we're extremely proud of, Roots Revival. This quartet features young musicians between the ages of 14 and 16 who have been taking their performances to schools throughout the area as part of the CBA and SixstringCentral's Blues Education program. One listen to this band and it's hard to believe that they're as young as they are. They have the feel and talent to perform right alongside any established adult band around. And, for some in the band, they've done just that. The band is led by guitarist, TJ Moor, who last fall performed at the Pinetop Perkins Celebration at the Hopson Plantation with noted Blues artists like Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill and Carl Weathersby, and also this winter with Pinetop, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Bob Stroger at the Aladdin Theater in Portland. An outstanding guitarist and vocalist, TJ belies his years with his exceptional skills. Though we usually see him on keyboards, Mac Potts can play a variety of instruments and does so with the band, including harmonica, saxophone and drums. He has also had the opportunity to work alongside big name artists, such as Reggie Houston, Henry Butler, Charmaine Neville, Dr. John and Zac Harmon. As part of the Ben Rice & the Youth of Blues Band, Mac also traveled to Memphis to represent the CBA in the 2007 International Blues Challenge. Drummer Sam Low keeps the band right in the pocket, having studied under some of the finest musicians in the city like James Maher and Kelly Dunn. Taylor Eaton holds down the bass duties, but also can play a variety of instruments, too. Together these kids hold the future of Portland's Blues firmly within their hands. And, they continue to draw attention outside of the region as well, having been invited to play at this fall's Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival as part of the emerging new artists presentation. You do not want to miss this set. - Greg Johnson


"Blogging the Blues Festival: Day Two"

Also saw some of Roots Revival, a band of young 'uns, out on the workshop stage. I caught them educating the audience on left-handed Stax guitarist Albert King (who died in 1992, perhaps before some of the musicians on stage were even born). They've got a deep love of the blues that comes through clearly in both their music and their interactions with the crowd. One to watch - Lucinda Lopez-The Oregonian


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

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Bio

TJ MOOR:
Age 14. Latest news: TJ was invited to play onstage with Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Bob Stroger at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR. Blues musicians in Portland have known TJ as a young slide guitar player. He says the highlight of his life was jamming at Pinetop's Homecoming with the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Carl Weathersby, Kenny Neal, Buddy Flett, Terry "Harmonica" Bean,etc. TJ has been playing guitar since age 8 and performing since he was 10. He originally played rockabilly and for the past 3 years he has been loving the blues! TJ plays a mix of Delta and Chicago blues. He has played for the Children's Miracle Network, company picnics, many schools (BITS performances), the opening of the Holland Performing Arts Center (Omaha), on tv, opened every month for the 'Playing With Fire' concert series in 2005, arts festivals, MicroBlues Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival. TJ has been seen on HBO for his music and in the Wall Street Journal for his passion of music from 2 and 3 generations ago. He has studied under Storm Rhodes, Robbie Laws, Stu Kinzel, LynnAnn Hyde, Kenny 'Blue' Ray, Mary Flower, Paul Rischel, Steve James, Lurrie Bell & Mike Dowling. Over the past year, TJ was awarded two full scholarships to attend the Port Townsend Country Blues workshops and was invited to Clarksdale, Mississippi to play at Pinetop Perkins' Homecoming. TJ says some of the greatest music experineces have been getting to play for and meet Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin..twice. The trip to Memphis, Clarksdale, and Helena will never be forgotten. TJ's hobbies are studying blues history and researching vintage guitars.

MAC POTTS:
Age 16. Although blind from birth, he soon showed musical talent. He was picking out nursery rhymes at the piano at 2, taking classical lessons at 4, and performing by age 8 at local events. He began recording music at age 11 for fun, and began taking lessons from legendary Portland blues pianist DK Stewart at 12. He became interested in jazz, blues and boogie-woogie music. Mac met Ben Rice and joined Ben Rice and the Youth of Blues in early 2005. He also met Reggie Houston, a world famous saxophone player, who gave Mac a few pointers and direction. Mac began playing solo piano at Hudson’s lounge in the Heathman Hotel in Vancouver in the summer of 2005. He studied jazz and gospel with Janice Scroggins in 2006, and is currently studying accompaniment and stage performance with Georgina Phillipson. Mac traveled to New Orleans in 2006 and 2007 for the Jazz Fest. He had the honor of playing with Henry Butler, Charmaine Neville, and a quick jam with Harry Connick, Jr. He has met Dr. John, James Cotton, Michael Kaeshammer, Tom Grant and many other piano masters. Mac also was a featured artist at the Cincinnati Blues Festival in 2007, where he performed solo and with a band at the Boogie Woogie Piano Stage. In his spare time, Mac has learned to do a little piano tuning, play the harmonica and drums, and has recorded a new solo Jazz album with piano, saxophones, drums, and keyboard bass. He also recently won his age division in the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, where displayed his Braille literacy and technology skills.

SAM LOW:
Age 15. He began to seriously study drumming at the age of 12 years. Sam plays drums in his high school's concert band, pep band, and jazz band.Sam has studied drums under James Maher, Tim Rap, and currently with Kelly Dunn (Paul deLay Band, Vibrasonics, Johnny Limbo). His school bands are under the direction of Grammy nominee Dan Schauffler (NuShooze, Crazy Eights, Cal Scott, Lily Wilde). Sam is a member of the Oregon Fencing Alliance sabre team.

TAYLOR EATON:
Age 14. Interested in music from a very young age, Taylor began playing piano at age 5, and at 9 was drawn to the sounds of string instruments and became particularly interested in Cello. Since that time, he has played Cello, and has been an active member of his school orchestra. Since that time, Taylor has had a healthy obsession with bass and enjoys studying and playing jazz, blues, rock, alternative, and funk, and has also become involved with jazz band, while continuing with his interest in classical via the Cello. He is very thrilled recipient of the gracious guidance and tutoring provided by the great Robbie Laws