The Bluescasters

The Bluescasters

The Bluescasters are a blues rock group from Ann Arbor, Michigan, formed in 2004. The line-up consists of Brian Delaney, Harry Rodman, Phil Ryski and Doug Wolgat. The band draws on blues, psychedelic, rock, jazz and R&B influences, and presents itself as a high-energy live act built around vocal harmony, a groove-led rhythm section and instrumental solos.

Background and line-up

The group’s members are all experienced musicians with long careers behind them. Brian Delaney joins the band in 2009 as an Ann Arbor jazz guitar master. Doug Wolgat, the bass player, is originally from Detroit and has lived in Ann Arbor since 1987. Phil Ryski plays harp, keyboards, guitar and vocals, while Harry Rodman plays drums and sings; he is described as a third-generation drummer. The band also includes Kerry Adams as guitarist and vocalist in its earlier history, and he rejoins the group in 2014.

Recordings

The Bluescasters release four albums: Five Dimes (2005), Give Yourself the Blues (2006), LIVE (2010) and Something Going Down (2014). Their third album, LIVE, is recorded in summer 2009 at Guy Hollerins in Ann Arbor and issued in 2010. Something Going Down is the first album to feature Brian Delaney on guitar.

Their recordings receive radio play locally and also in Europe, Japan and Australia.

Live work and recognition

The band plays around 40 shows a year and has played well over 400 performances in total, including many festivals and city summer concerts in south-east Michigan. Festival appearances include Alpena, Jackson, Ypsilanti Heritage, Plymouth, Ferndale and Tawas, along with the WEMU Blues BBQ, Windsor Blues Festival and Chelsea Summer Festival.

The Bluescasters reach the 2006 finals of the Detroit Music Awards in the Best Blues/R&B Artist category. Their albums Five Dimes and Give Yourself the Blues also reach the finals in the Best Blues/R&B Recording category for 2005 and 2006 respectively. They share bills with artists including Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Jim McCarty of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

Style and collaborations

The Bluescasters’ songs combine blues with jazz, R&B and rock elements. The group describes itself as using skilled composition and arrangement, vocal harmony and a rhythm section aimed at supporting solos and keeping audiences dancing. Musicians who sit in with the band include Jerry Mack, George Bedard, Pete Bullard, Rick Humesky, the Xatiable Horn section from the Lady Sunshine Band, Al Jacquez and boogie-woogie harp player Chef Chris.