Track44

By Karen Nugent
November, 2008

The Boston Blues Society is thrilled to announce that we are sponsoring a duo act - Track44 - at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February.

Track44, consisting of guitarist-vocalist Jimmy Pircio of Plymouth and keyboardist-vocalist Dan Savage of Cambridge, have played blues together since meeting a few years ago at a Sunday jam at Johnny D's in Somerville, where Pircio was playing in the house band.

They played their first gig in March 2007 at The Next Page in Weymouth, and, ironically, that's where their fundraiser for the trip to Memphis is scheduled, on Jan 11 at 3 p.m.

The Blues Society has selected Track44, along with a four-piece band, the Delta Generators, to represent us at the IBC. But, unfortunately, we cannot fund the bands' travel and other expenses, so please come out and show support for the Boston blues scene.

We are confident that Track44 can make Beantown proud!

Pircio, who started playing guitar at age 14, formed the Shoe City Blues Band in Brockton in 1988. He spent a few years as a sideman for several blues bands before forming Track44 with Savage, Joe Bellomo, and Steve DuBois.

Pircio, who is also the lead guitarist and vocalist for Hoodoo Revelator, and Savage, now also in the Revelators, work as a duo under the same Track44 band name.

As a youngster, Savage wanted to take up trumpet, but his jazz drummer father insisted he take a year of piano lessons. After that, the elder Savage told him, he could play whatever instrument he chose. Apparently, father knew best as the son decided on piano after all, although he admits the hundreds of pounds of gear could have been avoided had he stayed with his original choice.

He bought his first Hammond organ at age 16 and was influenced then by Procol Harum, Steve Winwood, and Jimmy Smith. A New York City native, he was into the jazz-rock fusion scene in his younger days, but left the music world for a while to get married and raise a family.

In 2002, after getting a telephone call from a friend looking for a piano player, he was back at it, playing at the House of Blues.

Savage, who does a great Ray Charles on the ivories, was an original member of Bees Deluxe, with Conrad Warre; and Hardtime, with Bobby Peirce.

Dan's influences include Bill Paine, Brian Auger and Chuck Levell.

Pircio - a searing, memorable, guitarist - is influenced by Hubert Sumlin, Freddie King, Otis Rush and Eric Clapton.

The IBC, consisting of hundreds of blues bands from all over the country and around the world, will take place Feb. 4-7, 2009 in Memphis. This year marks its 25th anniversary and it will surely be a memorable event.

For more information, visit www.blues.org - Bostonblues.com