The Blues Project, the New York City-based band whose mid-’60s albums helped usher in the blues-rock revolution—and which then expanded into other musical areas—will release Evolution, their first album of new studio recordings in 50 years. The album features founding members Steve Katz, on guitar and vocals, and drummer Roy Blumenfeld (also on vocals). The other current members are Scott Petito (bass, guitar, vocals), Chris Morrison (lead and rhythm guitar, vocals) and Ken Clark (keyboards, vocals).
The 12-song album was recorded and mixed by Petito in upstate New York in the summer of 2022. In addition to original compositions by Katz and Blumenfeld, the track list includes material by other current members, covers of classic blues numbers, and one song each by Al Kooper and the late Andy Kulberg, who were members of the classic ’60s, lineup. (Original guitarist Danny Kalb, who died in 2022, is not represented on Evolution.)
The Blues Project in 2022: Blumenfeld is on drums, Katz is on guitar at far right (Photo from the Blues Project’s website)
“I found ‘Peru’ on an old rehearsal cassette from 1980 when we had one of our reunions,” says Katz about the Kulberg-penned tune. “It was Andy Kulberg’s ‘follow-up’ to ‘Flute Thing.’ We never performed it, but I found the cassette and we decided to do it on this album in tribute to Andy. Roy is in touch with Kooper and I believe that’s how we got [his song] ‘Inside Information.’”
The Blues Project formed in 1965 with a shifting lineup that settled on Katz, Blumenfeld, keyboardist/vocalist Kooper, Kalb, Kulberg and singer Tommy Flanders in time for the band’s debut album for Verve/Folkways Records, Live at the Café Au Go Go. Flanders dropped out and the quintet released its only studio album with that personnel, Projections, in 1966. Live at Town Hall followed in 1967, but Kooper and Katz had already left to form Blood, Sweat and Tears by the time of its release. Three further Blues Project studio albums were recorded with changing personnel until the band called it quits in 1972. The following year, however, the live Reunion in Central Park featured the Projections-era lineup. A handful of other reunions followed but the ’60s-era group never recorded together again.
Related: Read our Album Rewind of Projections
Kulberg died in 2002. Kooper and Katz have both published memoirs. Blumenfeld has remained active in music, as has Katz, who also works as a ceramic artist.
Watch the current Blues Project lineup perform “Goin’ Down to Louisiana” live
10 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationSlight correction: Add vocals to Roy Blumenfeld
Roy Blumenfeld Drummer and vocals.
If this new iteration of the BP can provide half of the creativity and musical wonder of its ’60s predecessors, the world will be a much better place. Just last week, before seeing this news, I ordered the supposedly remastered Anthology CD containing the first two BP LPs. Great, great stuff.
I totally agree! Great news!
I about wore out my original vinyl!
Danny Kalb was integral to the original sound. Not much mention of his contribution or his creative approach and guitar technique.
This news article is about the new album, and Danny had no role in it. Not sure what we can say about him in that context. He appeared on their early albums and is one of the most underrated guitarists ever, and a great blues singer, but he’s not involved in this project at all.
Exactly. The new lead guitarist sings a song copying Danny as best as he can, “Going Down Louisiana.” They should say “this is a tribute to our founder and lead guitarist, Danny Kalb.” I was and am a lifelong friend of Danny.
No K & K, no Project.
The first Blues Project reunion, put together by Kooper did not happen because Katz wanted double the pay of the other musicians
Not true.
We love ya Steve…