ABOUT THE BAND:
BIG FRANK & THE HEALERS are a traditional electric blues band playing chiefly in the Chicago and Delta blues styles, and touching on the swampy sounds of Louisiana and Texas. The band has been cited in publications as far afield as Austria’s ‘Blues Art Journal’. Local favorites, they have appeared in nightclubs and concerts including the headline spots at the 2004 and 2006 Lake George Blues Festival. They were featured artists at The Glens Falls Blues Festival, and the Blues 2000+4 Festival. For many years they’ve played to enthusiastic concert crowds, including performances at Rockefeller Center’s City Sounds.They have performed many concerts on Staten Island, including Staten Island’s Back-to-the-Beach and Twilight series, and concerts at Clove Lake Park, Westerleigh Park, and at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. They were featured in the “Best of the Blues” concert at S. I.’s St. George Theatre, where “BIG FRANK” also appeared solo in support of Joe Bonamassa. They have been featured guests at a number of radio stations. Concert and studio appearances continue to be aired on SI Community TV.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS:
The band’s founder and leader “BIG FRANK” Mirra’s other credits include The Mohair Sam Band, and The Street Hawks, an acoustic group that focuses on early roots music. “BIG FRANK” is joined by “CHICAGO” CARL SNYDER on piano, who has toured and performed with artists including Chicago greats Junior Wells—for whom he served as bandmaster—Otis Rush, Son Seals, Jimmy Johnson, James Cotton, among others. On harmonica is BILL “KID JAVA” FERNS, himself a mainstay of the metropolitan blues scene, and longtime leader of the “Kid Java” band. Backing on drums is BILL RANKIN, whose extensive credits include the popular Zydeco band Lucky 7, and on bass is MARGEY PETERS, who celebrates her twentieth year with “BIG FRANK.” and who also plays with roots and skiffle band Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans.
ABOUT THE RECORDS:
BIG FRANK & THE HEALERS have release two CDs. The first, “BIG SHOT” is a 5-song EP/CD, which captures the compelling, rootsy, rough-and-tumbel blues band at it’s very best. Next, the band was recorded by legendary Spivey Records A&R man, the late Lenny Kunstadt, longtime companion of the great early blues singer Victoria Spivey. The result was “BIG FRANK & THE HEALERS/VINTAGE 1040” Victoria was one of America’s seminal female blues singers. Leonard Kunstadt (1925-1996) was a discographer, historian and record producer. For almost forty years, he edited Record Research magazine. He is the author, with Samuel Charters, of Jazz, A History of the New York Scene.
“VINTAGE 1040” is NOT a Spivey record, but it was to have been one. In fact, it would have been the next in the catalogue, number 1040! (Any similarity to the IRS form of the same name is utter coincidence!) Of course, “VINTAGE 1040” was cut live in the studio, with no overdubs. It was the first time Lenny recorded “direct to DAT”. He was even considering—though he hadn’t totally committed to the idea—bringing the session out as the label’s first CD! Now that recording is finally available, and has met with great reviews.
HERE'S WHAT THE PRESS HAS TO SAY:
“Wicked slide work... The overdue Vintage 1040 is a real find.” - Bill Wasserzieher, Blues Revue
“Big Frank Mirra plays some nasty slide guitar” - Graham Clarke, BlueNight.com’s Blues Bytes
“The music is wonderful! The sound is totally authentic...A real gem of a release.” - Norman Darwen, BluesArt Studio
“[Big Frank & The Healers] show just how tight a constantly-working band can be!" -"Broadway” Buddy Fox, Big City Blues
“Frank's guitar boogies and shuffles with hot intensity...A sweet listen.” -Dr. Blues, Auralfix.com & L. I. Blues Society
“A talented guitarist” - Evan Hage, Living Blues
“A great rendition of original Chicago blues style…great enthusiasm, groove, and feeling! -V. Zumel-La Hora del Blues
“Big Frank is the closest thing I've heard to Hound Dog Taylor" - Sonny Payne KFFA radio's King Biscuit Flour show
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