Calvin Fuzzy Samuels, Live at Artlore Studio!

“I play things with strings.” — FUZZY SAMUEL TIMELESS is an apt word to describe both the man—Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuel—and his music. Like a fine wine, he has only gotten better with age. Fuzzy was born under sunny skies on the island of Antigua. As a youth in London he soaked up the sounds of diverse musicians, such as Muddy Waters, Count Basie and Fats Domino. A self-taught bass player, in the late 1960’s he laid down the beat as part of the first black power trio in the United Kingdom: The Sundae Times. In the 1970’s he cultivated a friendship with musician Stephen Stills that remains strong to this day. After appearing on Still’s first solo album, he stepped in on bass for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (CSNY) and immediately took part in the studio recording of arguably the greatest protest song of the Vietnam War era: Ohio. The angry guitars and Fuzzy’s pounding bass lead into the chilling verses, lamenting the killing of 4 students at Ohio’s Kent State University by the Army National Guard. After touring with CSNY, he settled in for several years with Stephen Stills’ seven-member super-group, Manassas, which flawlessly brought together rock, folk, blues, country and Latin rhythms. In the late 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, Fuzzy worked with a wide variety of musicians, including the band America, Alvin Lee, Steve Winwood, Mick Taylor and Taj Mahal. His decades-long friendship with Taj resulted in his bass playing on the Grammy-nominated electric country blues album Mulebone. As the 20th century closed, Fuzzy found a new friend in the bouzouki, a long-necked Greek instrument similar to the mandolin. His eventual mastery of the instrument has luckily been captured in the recording studio. The desire to play, record and produce his own material has resulted in the acclaimed solo albums: This Train Still Runs (1998), Love Don’t Taste Like Chicken (1999), Organic Blues (2000) and Island Breeze (2015). One cannot play the Blues or appreciate the Blues unless one has LIVED the Blues. Organic Blues was written under the influence of heartache and one can feel it in the 10 recorded tracks—from the relationship that went south captured in Watermelon Blues to the end of life’s road in Pine Box. After tackling and defeating some serious health issues, Fuzzy triumphantly returned to the studio to record Island Breeze. The album’s 10 songs showcase an exciting blend of Blues, Caribbean and Folk music from the opening title track to Amazing Grace and Keep Walking On. Fuzzy brings a veritable world beat to the table in his live performances, featuring a blend of Blues, Reggae, Calypso, Classic Rock and Folk Songs. His singing, and bouzouki and bass playing, have captivated audiences in the UK and across the United States. June 2015 saw the debut of his new band Fuzzy Trio, featuring David Poulin on drums and Robert Bailey on piano at the Kloften Festival in Haderslev, Denmark. Fuzzy is currently working on his autobiography and an album of “raw” blues songs. He is married to the love of his life, singer and recording artist Andrani Foster, and is the proud father of two sons and a daughter who are following in his musical footsteps Calvin Samuel's will appear Saturday, September 21st. At Artlore Studio from 8-10pm