Kim Field & The Perfect Gentlemen
Bios

Kim field

Internationally celebrated harmonica player, guitarist and singer Kim Field began his musical career in New York City, where he worked with the Sting Rays, a group managed by Grammy winner Phil Schaap. Returning to his hometown of Seattle, he teamed up with Isaac Scott, appearing on two albums with the legendary guitarist. Field spent several years fronting the Slamhound Hunters, whose performances and recordings were strongly received in both Europe and the United States. In recent years, Field has performed and recorded steadily with his celebrated Seattle-based band, the Mighty Titans of Tone. During his long career Field has appeared on bills with such rhythm and blues legends as Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gregg Allman, James Cotton, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, the Righteous Brothers, Walter Horton, and Big Mama Thornton. He has appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival, in New York City’s Central Park, at Portland’s Waterfront Rhythm and Blues Festival, at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, and at Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival, where he was a featured performer seven years running. Field’s songs have appeared in the soundtracks of two feature films. Field is also the author of Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathing (Rowman and Littlefield) and co-author of The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold (University of Chicago Press).

vyasa dodson—guitar, vocals

Vyasa Dodson’s stellar guitar work, soulful vocals, and remarkable songwriting skills have made him a luminary in the Portland music scene. Vyasa fronted the popular Portland group The Insomniacs for several years, which earned a nomination for a 2008 Blues Music Award for best new artist. Originally inspired by guitar players such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, Dodson’s approach to the guitar changed when he discovered jump-blues players such as Tiny Grimes, Junior Watson and Little Charlie Baty. Dodson has also toured the world as a featured performer in Curtis Salgado’s band and contributed to Salgado’s “The Beautiful Lowdown” album, released in 2016 on Alligator Records.

whit draper—guitar, vocals

Whit Draper’s many years of experience playing traditional and contemporary blues and roots music have made him a quadruple threat as a guitarist, songwriter, arranger and vocalist. From 1989 to 1993 Whit played acoustic guitar, arranged, and wrote songs for Back Porch Blues, a national touring ensemble specializing in pre-war acoustic blues that won several Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association, including Best New Act, Best Traditional Act, and Best Local Recording. =Besides lending his considerable skills to The Perfect Gentlemen, Whit is a regular member of A.C. Porter and The Live Wires (winner of the 2011 Muddy Award for Best New Act) and the Sportin’ Lifers.

denny bixby, bass and vocals

Denny Bixby developed his chops in Portland and played with the Terry Robb Trio in the 80’s, also touring with jazz keyboardist Jeff Lorber. In the late 80’s, Denny moved to Nashville, performing with Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Gail Davies, Buddy Miller and the legendary Chet Atkins. He was also a member of Great Plains, who released several albums and had four singles hit the country charts. After moving back to his native Portland, Denny was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Denny currently performs with the Perfect Gentlemen and Lloyd Jones.

jimi bott, drums

Jimi Bott is one of the preeminent blues drummers in the world. He’s drummed all over the world for groups like Mark Hummel, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Mannish Boys, and the Proven Ones. His discography includes performances on over 100 CD's and countless live performances with other blues greats. Jimi has won the Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award for best drums (an award that is now named for him) 12 times, and in 2015 he won the Blues Music Award for best drummer.