Smooth jazz scores a hit at Bar 51
Wesley Downs
For The Corner News
published November 10, 2008

Friday night provided a true escape for the music lover in Auburn. As Blues 9 took the stage at Bar 51,I had to double check my surroundings to make sure I wasn’t wondering down Bourbon Street in New Orleans, or sitting in the heart of Motown. Blues 9 put on what is quite possibly the best show I’ve seen since moving to Auburn, and the electric atmosphere of Bar 51 only added to the experience.

When asked before the show what kind of music they played, Jay Knorr (drums/vocals) simply replied, We play grown folks music,” which as it turns out is a blending of jazz, R&B, soul, Motown, and rock that is quite near perfection. The group’s lead singer and saxophone player, Kevin Vannoy, delivers the familiar lyrics of some of the most popular soul, and Motown covers in a smooth brassy voice that flows as sweet as molasses all while keeping your toes tapping with his enchanting sax.

Knorr keeps the beat up on the drums and provides background vocals, and still manages to crank out some extraordinarily funky drum solos. Robert Orr, the group’s lead guitarist and second vocalist, truly knows how to make a guitar talk, and balances out Vannoy’s jazz style vocals with his own southern/country sound. Blake Cleveland rounds out the foursome with a bass that you can feel in your bones.

Blues 9 will transport you to the heart of jazz, they are a must see in the Auburn music scene. Check them out at blues9.com.


Also...Check out this Nashville Wedding Photographer's site to see Blues 9 rocking the house in Music City.
www.photomc.com/category/band/
You will have to scroll about half way down the page.  We are after the Blue Eyed Grass Band...

Live Music for Any Occasion

"Blues 9" was originally formed to be a house band for Moore's Mill Club's weekly Tuesday night Blues & BBQ family dinner and was strictly an experimental idea from the get go. During the spring of 2005 local musicians Kevin Vannoy (vocals, tenor sax & harmonica), Robert Orr (vocals & guitar), Nancy Cleveland (piano), Blake Cleveland (bass), Jeff Stallworth (drums) and Joel Hughes (auxiliary percussion & licensed bongo beater) were assembled to lend their talents and musical skill to help entertain and provide a draw for the MMC members, guests and the Auburn Community. Having played with each other before in different capacities and combinations the band had no trouble blending together their talents. After the first few weeks the group began to really “click” and quickly gathered a small following.

Having evolved into to full blown working band, starting in 2008 Blues 9 has added even more variety to their act and on certain occasions Jay Knorr (formally of The Tony Brook Band & Zig and the Zigtones) joins the lineup on vocals and drums.  Also rounding out the line-up, Wendy Hamme is sometimes plugged in as a female vocalist giving the band a broader range of versatility. 

With a very diverse repertoire "Blues 9" appeals to any music lover and covers a broad range of influence and style. The group generates tremendous charisma and energy every time they hit the stage. Their individual love of music is what drives their performance and fuels the sounds and experiences they create.