Joe Zook

Nothing duplicates the delivery of the unique dual vocal 1-2 punch from veteran blues powerhouses Joe Zook and Billy Holt. As bandleader and singer-songwriter, Lead and slide guitarist extraordinaire Joe Zook has been  delivering blues alongside the  rock-solid bass work of   Billy "Bluesboy" Holt right from day one of the band. As original bassman and vocalist Holt pilots his own 'Bag Full of Blues' when not performing with Zook.

Billy Holt

James Cheadle

Rounding out the rhythm section perfectly, James Cheadle adds brilliant jazzy keyboard stylings to the mix. Former Sigma Sound studioman Cheadle also composes sound tracks and is a professor in the Jazz Department at Rowan University. In the '70's his group Sahara recorded for Columbia and shared the stage with Chick Corea and Michael Urbaniak.

Brass in the Band      Featuring a collective multi-reed "sax attack" duo of talent, Blues DeLuxe is proud to include outstanding horn men who provide stylization's to fit the particular needs of each venue and background.

Alto saxophonist Angelo DiBraccio, whose credits include Roberta Flack's debut album on Atlantic, appearances at the Kool Jazz Festival and JVC Jazz Fest, recording/touring stints with Evelyn King, Hamish Stuart of AWB, and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Angelo plays blues on his alto sax with a soulful down home flavor. His live performances also include jazz greats Kenny Baron and Calvin Hill.

Angelo DiBraccio

Steve Kaplan

Steve Kaplan, Baritone Sax rounds out the brass section of Blues DeLuxe. Equally at home on all Saxes, Clarinet and Flute, Steve is a true lover of the growl of the baritone. Citing influences such as jazzmen Coleman Hawkins, Roland Kirk, Cannonball Adderly and Gerry Mulligan (of course) he also favors the funky Junior Walker and Maceo Parker of James Brown fame. Steve's playing experience includes the Monday Blues Band, Midnight Sun and the Lamplighters, as well as three years with the salsa band of Tony Maldonado "La Decision". Kaplan directs his own big band, Swing Street, and arranges when not teaching band at Middle School.

In demand Percussionist Rick Lawton drives the fluid texture of Blues DeLuxe. No matter what the format, Lawton's solid dance grooves, shuffles and swing show the influences of this former student of both Joe Morello and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. A native of Lexington, VA, Rick has been with the band since 1992. Rick is working on a second book and also retails percussion instruments and instructs in the field.

Rick Lawton

Style and Genre. Blues DeLuxe presents a panorama of Blues styles from the 30's to the future in a fluid array, stretching from a Dobro/Bass/Drums Delta trio to full-blown Jump Blues ala Roomful of Blues and beyond. With envelope-pushing contemporary original material (still true to the source) that slingshots the blues a step further, Zook and the band have the ability to stand out, whether in a small Blues Club or an outdoor Festival.

Zook and the boys are proud to include songs from the repertoire of the legendary artists listed below. These are only some (among the many) whose tunes are arranged and performed with the DeLuxe treatment:

Albert, Freddy and BB King, Buddy Guy, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Louis Jordan, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson, Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Sonny Boy II, Willie Dixon, The Allman Bros., ZZ Top, The Blues Brothers and Cab Calloway.