Washboard Chaz Blues Trio
The Washboard Chaz Blues Trio is a New Orleans band that rapidly became a fan favorite. They perform acoustic blues, covering the Piedmont finger-picking style as well as Delta and Chicago-style blues. The group mixes in originals and Western Swing as well. Consisting of Washboard Chaz on washboard and vocals, Andy J Forest on harmonica and vocals and Jonathan Freilich on guitar, the trio has amazed audiences with its full sound and the ability to get the crowd up and dancing. Their six recordings, 2002’s “Courtyard Blues”, 2004’s “Dog Days”, 2006 "Hard Year Blues", 2008 "Mix It Up", 2010 "On The Streets" and 2015 "Live at Spotted Cat" capture the authenticity of their sound. The band has played French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Greeley Colorado Fest, Crescent City Blues Fest to name a few. Appearances in HBO Treme, NCIS New Orleans and Werner Herzog's remake of Bad Lieutenant have helped to spread the word The band was awarded OffBeat Magazine’s Best Emerging Blues Band trophy for 2004. We have played around the country prefer to stay at home in our local clubs. The numerous reviews and articles written about the group have confirmed what their fans already knew: This is one hot band. Check them out!
Washboard Chaz Leary – washboard, vocals
Internationally acclaimed washboardist, Chaz brings a long list of credits to his band. Originally from New York, Chaz lived in Boulder, CO from 1975-1997, and played with a wide variety of bands including the legendary Ophelia Swing Band, Prosperity Jazz Band, BBQ Bob & Washboard Chaz, Judy Roderick and the Forebears, and Bleecker St. Chaz has shared the stage with Bonnie Raitt, John Hammond, Taj Mahal, Anders Osborne and Corey Harris among others. He has opened for many bands, including Muddy Waters, Robert Cray, Doc Watson and Keb Mo. Chaz has been on over 70 recordings, including John Hammond’s 1998 Grammy nominated “Long as I have You”. Chaz was a finalist twice in the KBCO Boulder songwriting contest in the early 80’s and has been the focus of dozens of newspaper features nationwide over the years. He has played festivals and clubs from coast to coast, including the Bottom Line in New York City, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the American Music Hall in San Francisco and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver. He has played successful International tours, with his band Bleecker St. in Germany, and in Holland and Germany with David Booker. Since his move to New Orleans in Dec. of 2000, Chaz has played with the cream of New Orleans musicians, including the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, the Iguanas, Tuba Fats, Royal Fingerbowl, the Jazz Vipers and the Tin Men. Has toured Italy Japan, Switzerland, Austria, England, along with many appearances with the wildly popular Playing For Change videos.
Andy J Forest
Born in 1955 in Pullman, Washington, Andy has been playing harmonica and singing professionally since 1977. He has recorded 7 LPs, 10 cds and two 45s. The reviews in international and local publications have consistently ranged from positive to rave. Early influences were Sonny Terry, Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Taj Mahal, and Charlie Musselwhite – to name a few.He has played on stage with B.B.King, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Shines, Champion Jack DuPree and many other greats of the Blues. He has written scores of songs, one novel (Letters From Hell) and enjoys modest success as a folk artist. He paints mostly faces of blues singers and now has a gallery of his own in New Orleans 9th Ward which he runs with his wife Gwen. After living in Europe for ten years, he returned home to New Orleans in 1991 where he played clubs, festivals and now and then tours in Europe and Canada. After playing with The Washboard Chaz Blues Trio off and on for a few years and performing on Chaz’s hit CD “Dog Days”, Andy is now a full time member in the band since 2006.
Jonathan Freilich
The newest member of the band, Jonathan brings an impressive list of credentials. A founding member of New Orleans Klezmer All Stars and The Naked Orchestra, he goes back to his acoustic Blues roots with us. Jonathan spent his formative years playing the songs of Son House, Robert Johnson and the like. We are glad to have him back in acoustic Blues with us.