Album Notes

Joanna Connor: Mercury Blues

This recording features one of the great unknown voices in America. Joanna Connor is a long time fixture on the Chicago blues scene. A versatile singer, she is also a mean guitarist. The chance meeting of Joanna Connor and myself in a Colorado club inspired me to fulfill a dream of creating an orchestral pops program that features the dynamic Ms. Connor and the orchestra. With Mercury Blues the orchestra serves as the band for Ms. Connor, integrating strings, tuba, sax, bass clarinet, and Latin percussion with Joanna’s vocals and guitar. The program brings the vibrant energy of Joanna’s blues-rock experience into the concert hall without losing its integrity. This recording is mostly live with some overdubs.
(December, 2003) -Thomas A. Blomster

Joanna Connor: Mercury Blues
with The Mercury Ensemble
Thomas A. Blomster, Music Director

Guitar/Vocals: Joanna Connor

Violins: Naomi Sue Smith, Concertmaster
Aaron Lande
Steve Erickson
Violas: Sarah Richardson
Shelly Tramposh
Cellos: Jennifer Fouse
Wayne Templeman
Acoustic Bass: Mike Fitzmaurice
Soprano Sax/Bass Clarinet: Mary Jungerman
Tuba: Corey Rom
Mike Allen
Congas and Percussion: Peter “Sweetpea” Cooper
Timbales and Percussion: Reverend “Rastaman” H. Warren Willett
African Xylophone (Amazing Grace): Thomas A. Blomster

Producer: Thomas A. Blomster
Engineer and Sonic Genius: Scott “Gusty” Christensen
All arrangements by Thomas A. Blomster, (c)2002 Pansy Productions