Artist description Madison's premier jump blues ensemble, the KGB, has appeared at top blues and swing venues throughout Midwest. The band, which recently opened for Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at the Imperial Palace of Swing, plays hard driving dance music from the era when the jazz influence on both blues and pop music was paramount. "I would call us a "Top Forties" band, not a "Top Forty" band," quipped guitarist King Ghidrah. "My guitar (a Gibson ES-175) was made in 1949, and it just loves to play the music of the swinging, turbulent decade in which it was born. In spite of the fact that most of our audiences have never heard many of the songs we perform, we continue to get great support from both swing dancers and blues fans. We have made a conscious effort to keep our music very danceable, and whether you would like to do a relaxing Lindy Hop to our version of Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson's "Kidney Stew", or a frenetic East Coast Swing workout to Wynonie Harris's supersonic "Quiet Whisky," we've got the bases covered. And blues fans appreciate the fact that we cover jump blues kings like Louis Jordan, Charles Brown, T-Bone Walker, Wynonie Harris, and Julia Lee that few if any other contemporary blues bands bother with, in spite of the fact that these great R&B artists of the 40s clearly created the musical basis for rock'n roll."

Music Style Jump Blues/Swing

Musical Influences Wynonie Harris, Nat "King Cole" Trio, Ella Mae Morse, T-Bone Walker

Artist History The KGB (an abbreviation for "King Ghidrah Band) was formed three years ago in Madison. Since then it has evolved from a hard-hitting blues act into a melodically sophisticated and rhythmically precise ensemble with material ranging from the cool stylings of Billie Holliday and the Nat "King" Cole Trio to wailin' stomps from Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris and T-Bone Walker. The quartet is fronted by Megan Flinn, a stunning redhead who is also one of the best young blues singers to emerge in years, on vocals and keyboards. King Ghidrah, a long time veteran of the Madison blues scene who has played with Paul Black, Major Lance, and Roger Brotherhood, handles guitar, harmonica, and vocal duties. The rhythm section, consisting of bassist/vocalist Ron Mulero (who hails from Detroit City) and drummer Boyce Johnson (a veteran of the Minneapolis session scene), can just plain "tear it up, which is exactly what they intend to do at a venue near you.

Group Members Megan Flinn: vocals, keyboardKing Ghidrah: guitar, harmonica, vocalsRon Mulero: bass, vocals

Location Madison, Wisconsin - USA

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