Every time we play, bandleader, Johnnie Riles, reminds us of why we call ourselves “The Doctors of Rhythm & Blues.” “Music has been known to be a healing force in the Universe” he tells the crowd, “As we go along tonight, you will feel that healing start to take place”. And they do. There’s something about R&B, about the Blues, about Jazz, about party music, that makes people feel better about life.
Maybe that’s healing. Maybe that’s just having a good time. Whatever it is, it’s been working for a decade of blues therapy. Johnnie started the band in the early 1990s in an Opa-locka, FL storage unit, and has cultivated it into a tight, professional, six-man entity with an abundance of experience, versatility, musicianship and most of all, energy. No lackluster, clock-watching performances for us.<br>We come out smoking, and we don’t stop. We have a good time among ourselves, and the audience can’t help but do the same. The core of the today’s lineup has played together for years of steady, uninterrupted gigging, from Miami to West Palm Beach. Our newest member has been with us since 2003.
We’ve landed regular, recurring gigs at local clubs, including every Saturday night for two years at the Downtowner Saloon in Fort Lauderdale. Plus, we’ve played higher profile concerts at Miami Dolphins games, the FedEx Orange Bowl, the City of Fort Lauderdale SunTrust Jazz Brunch, a Tavis Smiley C-SPAN TV show and many festivals.
We’ve got the chops to deliver dirty blues to thumpin’ soul to smooth saxophone jazz to complex bebop — and ballads. We like to mix up so the audience gets to hear some of everything. That’s what we call Blues Therapy.
Every time we play, bandleader, Johnnie Riles, reminds us of why we call ourselves “The Doctors of Rhythm & Blues.” “Music has been known to be a healing force in the Universe” he tells the crowd, “As we go along tonight, you will feel that healing start to take place”. And they do. There’s something about R&B, about the Blues, about Jazz, about party music, that makes people feel better about life.