Anyone who says “the blues is dead” hasn't heard The Mojo Roots. This four piece band from Missouri is unabashed about its genre and dedicated to keeping the blues alive for another generation. Their approach to traditional blues songs is both fresh and classic, akin to restoring that '57 Chevy instead of buying this year's model. The band's lively original songs, written by vocalist and harp player Jordan Thomas, display fantastic instrumentation and catchy, yet often contemplative lyrics. Trevor Judkins's incredible lead guitar work commands the attention of any audience, with precise, punchy leads and slide playing reminiscent of a young Duane Allman. With Jim Rush's punchy bass lines and drummer Andy Naugle's tightly controlled rhythm, The Mojo Roots deliver a blues tour-de-force both live and in the studio.
Oddly, the band's origins trace back to a small local grocery store, where both Jordan Thomas and Trevor Judkins were employed as cashiers. The two worked together for months, neither one realizing their shared passion for the blues. Then one summer evening in 2007, Trevor stopped by a local coffee shop to see Jordan singing delta-style acoustic blues for a small crowd. They arranged a Sunday afternoon jam on a downtown park bench, and soon the band was in the making. Andy Naugle, a longtime friend and fellow musician, jumped onboard on the drums. Accompanied on the bass by another friend, the four began to actively perform in the Mid-Missouri area. The spring of 2009 saw The Mojo Roots' first release, with a self-titled EP of five songs written by Jordan Thomas. When the original bass player left in December of 2009, bassist Jim Rush jumped in without missing a beat.
Tighter than ever, The Mojo Roots began recording their first full length album, Thirteen Shades of Blue, in early 2010. With thirteen original tracks written by Jordan Thomas, Thirteen Shades of Blue serves as a testament to the band's devotion to both preserving and further developing the blues.
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