Cobalt Rhythm Kings

Cobalt Rhythm Kings

The Cobalt Rhythm Kings -- the only Connecticut blues band fronted by two Chicago natives -- is a band to watch. The Kings were finalists in the 2011 CT Blues Challenge and "Best Blues Band" winner in the 2010 New Haven Advocate "Grand Band Slam."

Steeped in the jazzy jump blues of Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris; the cool, raging West Coast blues of William Clarke, Rod Piazza and James Harman, and the tough, hard-edged Chicago blues of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells and Freddie King, The Kings play a mix of sizzling originals and well-chosen covers.

But whatever goes in, it always comes out Cobalt.

Formed in 1996, they have played everywhere from New York's Chicago B.L.U.E.S. to the New Haven Jazz Festival to the national stage of the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas. They've opened for Johnny Winter at Toad's Place and for both the late Son Seals and blues diva Etta James on the New Haven Green. Other stops have included many of CT's top clubs and festivals and slots opening for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues, Debbie Davies, Ronnie Earl, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson and John Hammond Jr.



The Cobalt Rhythm Kings' CD, "HOT . . . Like Red Pepper," contains nine songs -- four originals -- that range from uptempo, danceable jump blues to gritty, bouncing-and-grinding Chicago blues to steamy, atmospheric blues and flat-out boogie.

“This is an honestly solid release that shows more passion than the oodles of blues bands out there that wrongfully worship at the altar of Mayall and Clapton.”

-- New Haven Advocate