Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots

Victor 'Piana' Wainwright: Lead vocals, piano, organ

Stephen 'Cat Daddy' Dees: Bass, guitar, vocals, percussion

Greg 'Six String' Gumpel: Guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals

Brian 'Machine Gunn' Kelly: Drums, percussion

The band performs as a 4 piece, 6 piece with horn section or up to a seven piece with 'extended roots' members:

Patricia Ann Dees: Vocals, saxophone, keys, harmonica, bass

Ray Guiser: Saxophone, keys

Alberto Cruz: Congas, Percussion

Contemporary power-house blues , funky Memphis soul and roots rock’n’roll. Featuring the high-octane boogie piano and big soul sounds of vocalist and blues man Victor Wainwright, backed by one of the tightest smokin' jam bands on the scene; the WildRoots.

Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots Biography

Victor Wainwright, the twenty something singer, pianist, “hepcat” from Memphis by way of the Savannah, Georgia; creates powerhouse blues and roots rock by playing his own unique style of boogie piana’. He effortlessly pays frequent homage to past music greats, while simultaneously adding his own youthful excitement. He's a raucous high-octane dynamic performer and crowd pleaser with soul to spare. After earning what he calls a "double major in Boogie, a Ph.D. in Swing and a master's in Rhythm," the "Piana' from Savannah" is undoubtedly making a name for himself in a big way.

Stephen Dees is a rock n' roll aficionado, touring and-or recording as bassist and vocalist for Hall and Oates, Todd Rundgren, Pat Travers, and Foghat to name a few. He was a Billboard and MTV char-tee with his band Novo Combo, and has received great acclaim for his original pop band "Bandees." Currently, Dees is the producer, writer, bassist and backup vocalist for the WildRoots.

The boogie blues "piana" player and savvy pop-rocker met up six years ago in Ormond Beach FL, where they were both on the bill of a benefit concert. Very impressed after hearing each other perform and finding that they had a common love for early rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll music that came out of the '50s and 60's, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, James Brown, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard; they discussed the possibility of collaborating on an original recording project; paying homage to their rock 'n' rhythm roots. Dees agreed to produce and co-write what would become Wainwright's 2005 release, "Piana from Savannah". "...it's hard to follow the speed limit while this one's playing... Pine Top Perkins would be proud." [Backstage Pass Magazine]

For the project, blues-rock guitarist Greg Gumpel, a friend and band mate of Victor's since 2002, was a perfect fit for the band. Now also a Memphis resident, Gumpel has become renowned for his wild phrasing and fluid fusion of electric blues and genuine rock 'n roll guitar. Greg says, "When I play blues, I like to think a little outside the box, get a little wild, while still trying to pay tribute to the founding fathers of blues guitar."

Drummer Brian Kelly, an accomplished jazz / new age composer, roots rhythm powerhouse and the backbone of band. Having worked with Dees in the recent past, the two had met playing in a progressive rock band and from the very first note; knew there was an instant rhythm connection. "Brian is refined, intricate and explosive all at the same time.”

After the release of the “Piana’ from Savannah” CD and some outstanding live performances they knew they had something special and decided to forge a more enduring working relationship. Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots were born.

Their debut CD, "Beale Street to the Bayou," is set to release in September 2009. The music is a departure from the more traditional blues and boogie of Wainwright's "Piana" CD. This project lyrically and musically speaks to a broader contemporary audience, while its soul remains anchored in the roots music that continues to inspire.
           

QUOTES:

"This is a great collection from a band obviously steeped in the Memphis tradition. And I grew up right down the river, so I think I know what it's supposed to sound like." Tommy Malone, Subdudes

"Victor contacted me about 7 years ago when he was just getting started in the music. We discussed pianos and piano playing. Well, I can see he has done his homework. This is a powerful CD with loads of energy. His piano playing is exciting and soulful, along with his strong vocals. Victor is a blues star on the rise. Be sure and pick up on his new CD." Honey Piazza, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers

"Every once in a while I get to work on a project that has all the right ingredients, great songwriting, stellar performances and great sonic range. Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots new release "Beale Street to the Bayou" will take you on a "Blues" ride from the pumping soul beats of Memphis to the down-home blues of the Deep South. I know you will enjoy listening to this CD as much as I enjoyed working on it." Bryan Bassett, Foghat Guitarist/Mix Engineer

"Power, structure, melody, attention to detail, performance, honesty, chops, passion.... And brilliant production. This new set by Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots is as good as anything out there." Mark "Muddyharp" Hodgson, CEO Fugitive Poet Music/Recording Artist

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