Artist description The Odyssey Blues Band featuring Suzanne Hyatt is one of the most successful, new blues acts in the Southern Ontario and Western New York regions. Rooted in the acclaimed Saturday Blues Matinee at The Odyssey Tap & Grill in St. Catharines, they have been featured with some of the biggest names in the Canadian and Western New York blues recording industry including Michael Pickett, Rod Nickson (Buffalo's multi-award winning male blues vocalist), Al Lerman and John Mays (Fathead), Steve Grisbrook, Eddie Baltimore, Danny Brooks and Jerome Godboo. Due to their overwhelming popularity, the band released a debut CD, "Something Borrowed, Something Blues" in January 2002, which quickly launched them into becoming one of the fastest rising groups in the Toronto blues music scene. Critics refer to the band as having "personality and passion to spare," and with the powerful voice of Suzanne Hyatt, their live performance at the Silver Dollar this past March, earned them a first runner up position at the Toronto Blues Society's 2002 New Talent Search. With the success of the CD, the band has been gaining positive media attention including favorable reviews, top twenty recognition in the March and April issues of the Maple Blue Newsletter, top 20 recognition in the Buffalo blues charts and increasing radio play on many Southern Ontario and Western New York blues radio programs. In addition to their weekly house band gig at the Odyssey Tap & Grill, the band is proud to have been featured at some of the hottest blues venues around including Healy', The Black Swan, Chicago's, RD's BBQ, Boomerz (London), The Lighthouse Restaurant, The Tralfamadore Café (Buffalo), The Lafayette Blues Room (Buffalo), The Mudcat Blues Festival (Dunnville), The Limestone City Blues Festival (Kingston) and Blues in the Park (Niagara Falls) and The Canal Bank Shuffle (Thorold).

Music Style Traditional and Contemporary Blues

Musical Influences Koko Taylor, Bonnie Riatt, Etta James, Nina Simone, Susan Tedeschi, Debbie Davies

Similar Artists Susan Tedeschi, Debbie Davies, Koko Taylor

Artist History Suzanne Hyatt Lead Vocals / Guitar A professional vocalist for over 25 years, Suzanne has one of the most powerful voices Southern Ontario blues fans have ever heard and enough energy and soul to drive an emotional performance like no other. With an extensive recording and international touring background, Suzanne has worked on numerous projects, devoting her talents to the blues and her fans. A vocal instructor herself, Suzanne also extends her talents to radio, and television sessions for local retailers, corporations and tourism organizations and has appeared on the Howard Stern show in New York. Suzanne has had the privilege of singing the Canadian and American National Anthems for the Toronto Blue Jays. Ed Pryla Guitar /Vocals Ed began his performing career over 30 years ago having played and toured with many popular Toronto-based bands including, Eddie Spencer and The Mission, The Ugly Ducklings and Papa Gray, opening for such great Canadian acts as The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Crowbar and Lighthouse. Currently recognized as one of the best blues guitarists in Southern Ontario / Western New York, Ed continues to be in high demand but dedicates his time and unique talents to the Odyssey Blues Band. Rick Scriver (a.k.a. Preacherboy Boogie) Drums / Vocals Born in Kingston, Ontario, Rick has been drumming professionally since 1966. Having launched his career with R&B, he was quickly drawn to blues influenced music and toured across Canada throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's with Kingston's top groups Percy and the Teardrops and Streetnoise. With his entertaining stage presence and talent for energizing the band's dynamics, Rick has quickly made his mark in the Niagara Blues scene and is now acclaimed as one of the most sought-after blues drummers in the region. Dave Mullen Bass Since the 1970's Dave has been wowing fans across Canada, the U.S., Japan and England. You can hear Dave's fine work on numerous CD's and he has shared the stage with many blues legends including Dutch Mason, Rita Charelli and Canada's own, Carlos Del Junco. A Niagara based musician, Dave has also made numerous Radio and Television appearances including the Howard Stern Show in New York and CityTV's Breakfast Television.

Group Members Appearing on the CD along with the Odyssey Blues Band and Suzanner Hyatt are John Bride, guitar(Cameo Blues Band),Jerome Godboo, harp, vocals, (Ronnie Hawkins), Eddy Baltimore, guitars and toys (Slowpoke), Steve Grisbrook, guitar (Midnite Walk) and Meyer Steinber keyboards.

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums, harp, keyboards

Albums Something Borrowed ,Something Blues

Press Reviews Odyssey Blues Band featuring Suzanne Hyatt "Something Borrowed, Something Blues" Independent Release –OBB-001 Reviewed by: John Taylor Email: johntaylor@ca.eyi.com Taking their name from the venue where they started out as the house band, Ontario's Odyssey Blues Band has recorded an excellent debut that does indeed 'borrow' the blues. Yet while the play list consists exclusively of covers that have largely been done to death, they manage to breathe new life into even the most shop-worn of chestnuts. The result is a collection both familiar and fresh, with personality and passion to spare. The moniker reads "featuring Suzanne Hyatt," and with only one instrumental in the batch she's deservedly front and centre. Equally at ease with sassy shout or sultry purr, Suzanne's able to emulate her idols (Bonnie Raitt, Koko Taylor, Etta James) without stooping to mere imitation. The timbre may be familiar, but there's never a doubt the voice is hers; a professional singer for over 25 years, she claims each and every tune as hers alone. Being a house band, of course, generally involves supporting guests. Several return the favour here, helping to elevate this outing well above the pack. The guitar interplay between the band's own Ed Pryla and Steve Grisbook, John Bride, and Eddie Baltimore (also responsible for recording & mixing) is full of unexpected twists and turns, rendering this a fretman's dream. Nothing "wankish" about it, though, as all play with unerring taste and restraint. Also on hand is harmonica virtuoso Jerome Godboo, whose contributions are a highlight throughout, alternating between a clear, delicate tone and thick, raw power. A frontman himself, he duets with Suzanne on "Bring It On Home," the result a friendly give-and-take, leading to a rollicking conclusion. Not surprisingly, Suzanne's forced to gender-reverse tunes usually done from the male perspective; hence "Lollipop Daddy," more commonly known as "Lollipop Mama" (swings just as hard, though!), and "Hoochie Coochie Gal," which she handles with all the ballsy bluster required. Suzanne's take on Nina Simone's "Do I Move You" smolders with raw sensuality, while "Beer Bottle Boogie" equals Koko's original for good-hearted raunch; and woe betide those who don't measure up to the defiant challenge of "Love Me Like A Man." "Hurt So Bad" is a great piece of swamp-pop, Ms. Hyatt's passionate pleading nothing less than spine-tingling; "Black Drawers" (sic) is an invitation few could resist, and benefits mightily from organ work by another guest, Meyer Steinberg. Proceedings close with "Jeff's Boogie," a ferocious instrumental from the pen of Mr. Beck. The rhythm section, bassist Dave Mullen and Rick "Preacher Boy" Scriver, is rock-solid throughout, and production is more than adequate (typical of indie releases, it lacks only the 'oomph' that big budgets buy). Packaging won't win awards, but hey, it's what's inside that counts, and what's inside is tasty indeed. Not essential, but a fine outing nonetheless. New CD Release By George Bailey for Pulse Magazine Although the Niagara based Odyssey Blues Band has been together for only a year, their new (and first) album, "Something Borrowed, Something Blues" proves this is a group that has what it takes to make it big. The CD kicks off with a single potential juke joint anthem, "Lollipop Daddy" sung so well by Suzanne Hyatt with her sinewy vocals. For Hyatt, a vocal teacher from Ridgeway, although not lacking in recording experience, this is her debut album. Hyatt is the featured singer throughout the other 12 cuts on the hour-long set of " borrowed blues" songs.Everything just seems right with this CD. Rick "Preacherboy Boogie" Scriver, spokesperson for the group, who also performs drums and vocal, says, " we came up with the name because they are all classic blues songs, they're all borrowed and everything is blues". Some of the tunes borrowed include T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday', Willie Dixon's, "Hoochie Coochie Gal" which is possibly one of the strongest cuts on the album, and Junior Wells, " Little By Little". When you first hear this CD, close your eyes tight and really listen. What you will hear is a very collected and attuned group of musicians who are into each other and what they're doing. Oakville's, Ed Pryla, one of Southern Ontario's best blues/R&B guitarists who plays guitar/ vocals on the album says, " one of the things you'll hear is that it seems every song has a different guitar tone." And boy is he right. Adding to the guitar mix is the fine bass work of group member Dave Mullen. There are special guests who help round out the solid CD. They are; Jerome Godboo (harp/vocals) from the Ronnie Hawkins Band, Steve Grisbrook (guitar), and Eddie Baltimore, guitar, vocals and percussion (who also tracked and mixed the CD at his home recording studio, The Recording Service), Meyer Steinberg (keyboards) and John Bride on guitar. Suzanne Hyatt's rendition of "Stormy Monday" is one of my favourites. Lead guitar, Ed Pryla with his excellent twangy guitar intro into this piece sets the pace (and continues throughout) of what's to follow. You can put your feet up and soak in this well-worn classic. Hyatt's slow drawling, well enunciated powerful voice is raw sensuality. Jerome Godboo, joins Hyatt on vocals with " Bring It On Home To Me" and the song takes on magic. It's a perfect match. Lead Guitar Steve Grisbrook contributes to Godboo's easy-listening harp and Hyatt's confident voice to produce a most heartfelt rendition of this Blues classic. "Black Drawers" is one of the "fun" cuts on the CD. Rick, "Preacherboy Boogie" Scriver, with his always-reliable drum work and Meyer Steinberg on keyboard help to create this feeling. Hyatt's belt em out, yet at the same time laid back voice, delivers a song with unforced ease. This disk provides yet more proof that's there's still plenty of blues talent waiting to be discovered in the Niagara area (some of us already knew about this talented group). Here's hoping the Odyssey Blues Band with Suzanne Hyatt gets the opportunity it deserves to share their gifts with other parts of the world.

Additional Info The Odyssey Blues Band featuring Suzanne Hyatt performs every Saturday from 4-8 at The Odyssey Tap and Grill, 131 King Street, St. Catharines Ontario. St. Catharines is located between Toronto and Buffalo just a short drive from Niagara Falls.

Location Niagara Falls, CA - Canada

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