Artist description Fronted by one of the best female singer/songwriters in Michigan, Jo Serrapere and the Willie Dunns (formerly Hot Tail Section) is one of the hottest shows in the Detroit area. A combination of swing, electric and acoustic blues with a mix of jazz, country and folk makes this band difficult to define. Many feel that they are beyond defining and should be appreciated at face value. Uncle Earl is an all girl old time group fronted by Jo and her good friend K.C. Groves. These two women sound wonderful together and have gathered some of the best women musicians together for a truely wonderful old time bluegrass sound.

Music Style Folk, Delta Blues, Swing, Bluegrass

Musical Influences Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Robert Johnson

Similar Artists Joni Mitchell, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Ani Difranco

Artist History Jo's a late starter in the music scene learning guitar at the tender age of 23 by taking lessons from the Delta Blues greate, Shari Kane (of Madcat and Kane). It didn't take her long before she started writing her own songs while completing a degree in clinical psycology. Since then Jo has been playing at music venues and festivals in Michigan as well as parts of the midwest, southern and eastern U.S. She produced her own album of mostly original songs with a few traditional covers which we are featuring here. For the past few years Jo as been playing with a group of accomplished musicians known as the "Hot Tail Section". Jo also has been singing with the 30's Gypsy Swing(in the style of Django Reinhart's Hot Club of France) trio. Jo is working on three new albums, one live with the Willie Dunns, one with old time bluegrass songwriter K.C. Groves and one in the studio with procuder/songwriter Adam Druckman. The CD with K.C. is releasing now on MP3.com and the live CD with the Willie Dunns should be out by summer.

Group Members Jo Serrapere - Lead vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, kazoo, washboard. John Devine - Harmony vocals, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, dobro, electric and slide guitar. Jef Reynolds - Harmony vocals, lead vocals, concert bass, electric bass, acoustic guitar, madolin, cello. Stuart Tucker - Drums. Uncle Earl's line up: K.C. Groves - guitar, vocals, accordion. Jo Serrapere - guitar, vocals. Sally Van Meter - banjo, bass, Weissenborn, guitar, dobro. Lauri Lewis - fiddle, vocals. Sally Truit - bass. Pooh Sevenson - madoline. Jean Ballhorn - fiddle. Tahmineh Gueramy - vocals.

Instruments Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, concert bass, electric bass, madolin, cello, harmonica, kazoo, washboard, vocals, drums.

Albums My Blue Heaven, (c)1998, Tonight at Johnny's Speakeasy, (c)2002 ,She Went Upstairs, (c)2002

Press Reviews "Ani Defranco meets Betty Boop meets Memphis Minnie meets Squirrel Nut Zippers" - Hour Magazine

Additional Info 2001 A Prairie Home Companion, 2001 Kerrville Folk Festival, 2001 Kennedy Center. 1998 Showcase Artist at the North American Folk Alliance Conference, 1999 Detroit Music Award for Best Vocalist in acoustic music, 1999 Songwriting Winner at the South Florida Folk Festival (Dream My Girl), 1997 Winner of Current Magazine's #1 Song in Michigan (Oil & Water).

Location Ann Arbor, MI - USA

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