Jeff Stone: Media Reviews

We are so proud to have won the prestigious BMA 2006 Best New Artsist Debut Award for " The Blues According to Zacariah!"

It is truly a great honor not only to have been nominated and to have won, but to have performed at the show to all of our peers.

From Memphis, we went to Helena, Arkansas and played at the Delta Cultural Museum for 50 school children...what an honor to take part in keeping the blues alive this way!

From Arkansas we headed to Jackson, MS to play for Zac's hometown friends and fans.

We then closed the Southern part of the tour back in Memphis, to wrap up one incredible weekend we will all remember forever.

Thanks so much for everyone's love and support.

It is truly God's grace to play the music we love for those who love to participate!

Not only is Legendary the best blues experience on the planet, this is the dream event for any fan of the blues harmonica, with a total of 8 harp players who are unsurpassed in their style:
Taj Mahal • Lazy Lester • Mark Hummel • Kim Wilson • James Harman
Lee Oskar (Original Low Riders) • Curtis Salgado • Jeff Stone w/Zac Harmon

Topanga Blues Festival

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Topanga Canyon

June 17, 2006



The Southern California Blues Society (SCBS) was formed in 1982 to promote and support the Blues. Their sponsorship of Zac Harmon and the Mid-South Blues Review at the IBC in 2004 provided them with a national winner. Please set your internet browser to www.socalblues.org and see about their upcoming outstanding events and consider joining their membership.



The crown jewel of SCBS is their annual Topanga Blues Festival which is in its 24th year. A magnificent leisurely drive up Highway One past the azure ocean and surfers leads one to the even more spectacular climb up the verdant and lush winding Topanga Boulevard. A walk through trees and terraced stairs leads one to their destination of the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum which is an intimate amphitheatre facing a stage will well-worn 2 x10 inch planks that speak volumes of the actors and musicians who have preceded this day...
Zac Harmon’s MidSouth Blues Revue closed out this perfect afternoon with the strains of “Amazing Grace” with Jeff Stone’s oh-so-sweet harp resonating throughout the amphitheatre. The band kicked it up a notch with “A Mighty High” while B.R. (B.R. Millon and Dug Mug do double duty in Zac’s band and the 44’s) reappeared and played a lead with too many blistering notes to count. Zac then engaged the audience with some mighty hand clapping. We were witnessing the reason why this group was chosen first over 300 Blues bands worldwide at the 2004 IBC awards.

More technical difficulties with the sound system gave Zac the opportunity to send Jeff Stone around the audience playing his harp will Zac took the remaining sound way down on his guitar and signaled the drummer to keep it light. As the crew rectified the situation, Zac jumped into “I’m A King Bee” under full power with Zac showcasing the versatility of his gifted voice. Zac then took the audience on a train ride from Mississippi to Chicago as Jeff Stone alternated between high and low harps and even got down on his knees for a fuller sound as Dug Mug fanned him with a towel to help cool off his hot harp playing.



Zac then took a turn via his wireless rig by walking through the audience playing his leads. He stopped awhile by a woman in a wheelchair as he serenaded her with empathy. Then reprising a song from his IBC winning set, “I Need a Full-Figured Woman”, he engaged all the ladies in the audience. A great set by a great band. There is no way that I’ll miss the 25th annual Topanga Blues Festival next year. You shouldn’t either.



Pete Sardon

Jeff & Zac,

Not only are the votes in, but the comments, too. You guys (ably assisted by Nora Jean) and Janiva are the people everyone's been talking about when the topic turns to "Who rocked da house?" And I'll tell you this much, Zac -- I'm not the only person who remarked how much you remind us of Luther Allison. Damn, brother, you had some moments up there that were just scary good. Please come soon to a venue near me!

I just rolled into Chicago. I shipped the film back to Seattle, so it should be there by Wednesday. Give me a week or two to sift through it all, then I'll be happy to e-mail or snail mail you some shot.

Thanks for playing your asses off. Talk to you soon.

Jef

My Good Friend Zac,

You, Cora, Jeff, Douglas and Dennis have made us all so very proud here in Southern California. Even though I have sincerely felt like you would win all along, actually experiencing a victory of this magnitude has brought me an overwhelming sense of pleasure and gratitude.

Jeff Stone is one of the great harmonica stylists of our time. All the necessary steps of paying dues, studying the masters and never-ending practice have been carefully traversed, then each has been meticulously incorporated into the matrix of Jeff's playing. How many harp players have you heard that could make a harp sound like a piano? Or an Accordion? Or Bagpipes? And do it ON DEMAND? There is a convergence of skill, knowledge, talent and heart that puts Jeff more than "Just a Cut Above" most of the rest of the harp-blowin' masses.

In my opinion there is nothing that can stop you and your band, now officially THE BEST UNSIGNED BLUES BAND IN THE WORLD! from continuing on to become The Best SIGNED Blues Band in the World. Best of luck to all of you as you bask in all the "goodies" that have been bestowed upon you for being the Champions you are. I say, Let's Take This Thing Straight To The Top!

Warmest regards, and again congratulations!! Your exciting victory has put The Southern California Blues Society "on the map" and we very much appreciate that.

Melvin Eddy, President
Gary Wagner, Vice President and Event Coordinator
The Southern California Blues Society

After hosting quite a few jams over the past 3 years, I've noticed the ebb and flow of talent at these shows and last night there was a Harmonica tidal wave at Maple Point. But not just any ol' blow-n-suck harp players, but the cream of the crop! Our first entry of the night was Maple Point's resident Harmonica-ist Jeff Stone. He opened up the night with some serious harp playing with Jackie and the guys on several tunes. However, I think he was just showing off for his beautiful daughter, 9 year old Jessie who was visiting all the way from California. She is also a diva in training and has promised to return and give us a song next time!

Jeff,

...You the best darn harp player in this old town.


Leo

From: "mojo_talent" Date: Wed Sep 7, 2005 12:09 am
Subject: Zac Harmon & The Mid South Blues Revue At Moe's Alley

Mojo Talent is proud to announce Zac Harmon & The Mid South Blues
Revue will make their first appearance at Moe's Alley on Saturday,
September 17th at 9:30pm.

Zac Harmon's accomplishments are phenomenal; from winner of the
Blues Foundation's 2004 International Blues Challenge (the
world's
biggest and most respected competition for blues talent), to
songwriting for Rock N' Roll Hall of Famers (i.e., the O'
Jays), to
performing with Blues Legends such as Z.Z Hill, Dorothy Moore,
McKinley Mitchell and Sam Myers to name a few!

Zac's live performances are full of energy. He will knock you
out
with his powerful vocals and great stage persona. The MidSouth Blues
Revue includes the spectacular talents of Jeff Stone on harmonica,
Dug "Mug" Swanson on bass, "BR" Milton on guitar,
Bill Purdy on
organ & piano, and "Cool" Cora C. Coleman on drums, all
adding
intensity to Zac's electrifying live performances.

Don't Miss this special night, as Zac's gonna blow the roof off the
joint!



Zac Harmon & The Mid South Blues Revue
Saturday, 9/17, 9:30pm at
Moe's Alley
http://www.moesalley.com
1535 Commercial Way
Santa Cruz, CA
831-479-1854

LIVE REVIEWS

BATTLE OF THE BLUES HARPS XVI November 24. 2004 Golden West Hotel- Crystal Ballroom, Long Beach. CA

Zac Harmon and the Mid South Blues Revue started the music with an extended harp introduction by the talented Jeff Stone who was wearing his trademark bandolier of harps across his chest. The song was "Alberta" and Jeff seemed to be summoning her from the depths of Mississippi with his hard wailin' harp as Zac went stratospheric on his lead guitar. With Jeff Stone front and center, Zac anointed him with some "High John the Conqueror root oil" and then took the music down to Jackson, Mississippi: Zac's home. They segued right into "You Got Me Runnin" and Zac explained to the audience, who were now on their feet dancing, how the train, 'The Panama Limited,' would take folks from New Orleans to Detroit. Jeff Stone's harp became that train but he took it past Detroit all the way into Canada with his exuberance! Their final number had Zac summoning Junior Wells' harp style with Jeff as a conduit. It was a stellar performance and a tough act to fol1ow. No wonder they won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this year!

Pete Sardon
Southland Blues
11/24/2004

This photo was used on the front page for most of 2005; a great honor from this great photographer and blues archivist!

http://www.bluessheriff.com/OnPatrol/2005_0122_LRBC/slides/JeffStone_0349.html