Artist description The Hornets are a seven piece Jump Blues, Swing, and R&B band out of the Hartford, Connecticut area. Quoted by Art Tipaldi of the Blues Review as "one of Connecticut's hottest bar bands", the Hornets have been tearing up the New England club scene for over five years with the current lineup. From steamy swamp blues all the way to raucous swing tunes, this band covers a lot of territory.

Music Style Jump Blues

Musical Influences Louis Prima, Ray Charles, Roomful of Blues, James Brown, BB King, Freddy King, Otis Rush

Similar Artists Brian Setzer, Roomful of Blues, Delbert McClinton

Artist History The Hornets started in the 80’s as a Texas/Chicago blues band after founder Tom Sanders saw Sugar Ray Norcia and the Bluetones perform. Today the Hornets sound is very much horn based, but whether the style is jump blues ,R&B, or swing the sound is very much their own. In 1996, the Hornets won the the CT Blues Society "Best Blues Band" competition, and went on to compete in the Blues Foundation's International Finals in Memphis, TN. Since then, they have shared the stage with many blues greats, including Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Junior Wells, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and Duke Robillard.There have been personnel changes over the years, but the current lineup has been together for over 5 years. Most notable is sax man Amadee Castenell originally from New Orleans with a resume that includes stints with Dr. John, Allan Toussaint, and Paul McCartney and Wings.

Group Members Tom Sanders-guitar, vocalsMarty Clark-vocals, harmonicaJoe Elliot-keyboardsAmadee Castenell-sax, fluteDave Cafro-trumpetKerry Muller-electric, acoustic bassAl Winshell-drums, vocals

Albums "Ain't Done Yet" 15 Minutes O' Fame Records (1996); "Live and Swingin'" 15 Minutes O' Fame Records (1998)

Press Reviews "Ain't Done Yet," has been selected as one of the top ten blues recordings of 1997 by Mark Smith (Detroit Blues Review) and Steve Waldbridge (Blues Revue).“Their debut CD ‘Ain’t Done Yet’ is a testament to Sanders commitment and vision.” Art Tipaldi (Blues Audience).“Take an all-star rhythm section, add two strong vocalists, a stinging guitar, powerful harmonica, tight horns, piano and a B-3 and you get a musical variety offering something for everyone. The group provides a stellar performance on this all original recording.” Domenic Forcella (Sound Waves Magazine).“Tom's stinging riffs and pure tone set the pace for this special selection of originals and choice blues, swing and rhythm and blues.” (Jai Goulding, Blues and Roots, Australia).

Location Hebron, CT - USA

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