Laura Chavez Interview, By Virginiabluesman
Posted on 3/05/2010 by Virginiabluesman
(Washington DC) A few weeks ago I interviewed Bob Margolin for this site, and he mentioned Laura Chavez as being one of the top young guitarists. Having the respect I DO have for Bob and his musicianship, I went straight to google Laura's name. This search led me to Candye Kane. Laura is now the lead guitarist for Candye's band, and she just makes a good thing better.
I've read the reviews: The next SRV, best female guitarist, and many more. I asked Laura how she felt about these comments, and she isn't as fond of them as the people that wrote them apparentely are. She doesn't want to be compared to SRV or anyone else for that matter. Personally, I'm a bit worn out with female musicians/vocalists etc being compared to other females of their class. Laura would like to just be appreciated for who she is, and I was very pleased to see that she is very humble about her abilities.
Laura's influences early in her career spanned from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Eric Clapton. She says she became more interested in the Blues as she got into high school, and listed some of her Blues influences as BB King, Hubert Sumlin , Jimmy Vaughan, TBone Walker, Hubert Sumlin and the great Freddie King.
One of Laura's first professional gigs was with The Lara Price band in San Jose, California. She started playing in Lara's band at the age of 18, and stayed with the band for approximately 8 years. She played gigs with The Lara Price Band, and played on three CD's. She expressed to me that she enjoyed playing in Lara's band, and stayed with the band until she left to play in Candye Kane's band.
Laura possesses a strong talent for the Blues. There isn't much she can't do on the guitar, and she quickly made an impression on many people in the Blues world, including one of the better Blues guitarists in the world today, Sue Foley. Candye was in the market for a hot new guitarist, and Sue Foley recommended Laura to Candye, and she hired her without seeing her or hearing her. A recommendation from a guitarist of Sue Foley's class made an impression on Candye, and the quality of Candye's band was elevated to a new level with the addition of Laura.
Superhero, Candye Kane's new CD, has Laura's influence all over it. Guitar virtuoso Laura Chavez co-wrote 6 songs with Candye and she also co-produced the CD which is getting great reviews all across the globe. Pick this CD up and give it several listens. Laura is showcased on this CD as well as Candye's amazing voice, and her stellar band. Do I hear a touch of Duane Eddy on the title track? I'm not sure if that sound was intentional or not, as Laura wasn't even born when Duane was riding high on the charts with his amazing style of play, but you gotta like it!
Laura Chavez is going to be showing off her blazing guitar style with Candye Kane on tour this year. Watching her play, you get the feeling that you are seeing something very special early in her career. I am looking forward to following Laura's career, and watching a young budding guitar player grow with her craft. Laura is here to stay, and soon will become a household name, not only in the Blues world, but in the "main stream" of music as well.
All pictures are used with the permission of Laura Chavez
For more information on Laura Chavez, visit the following site:
http://www.candyekane.com/bio.html
I've read the reviews: The next SRV, best female guitarist, and many more. I asked Laura how she felt about these comments, and she isn't as fond of them as the people that wrote them apparentely are. She doesn't want to be compared to SRV or anyone else for that matter. Personally, I'm a bit worn out with female musicians/vocalists etc being compared to other females of their class. Laura would like to just be appreciated for who she is, and I was very pleased to see that she is very humble about her abilities.
Candye Kane and Laura Chavez
Laura's influences early in her career spanned from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Eric Clapton. She says she became more interested in the Blues as she got into high school, and listed some of her Blues influences as BB King, Hubert Sumlin , Jimmy Vaughan, TBone Walker, Hubert Sumlin and the great Freddie King.
One of Laura's first professional gigs was with The Lara Price band in San Jose, California. She started playing in Lara's band at the age of 18, and stayed with the band for approximately 8 years. She played gigs with The Lara Price Band, and played on three CD's. She expressed to me that she enjoyed playing in Lara's band, and stayed with the band until she left to play in Candye Kane's band.
Laura Chavez
Laura possesses a strong talent for the Blues. There isn't much she can't do on the guitar, and she quickly made an impression on many people in the Blues world, including one of the better Blues guitarists in the world today, Sue Foley. Candye was in the market for a hot new guitarist, and Sue Foley recommended Laura to Candye, and she hired her without seeing her or hearing her. A recommendation from a guitarist of Sue Foley's class made an impression on Candye, and the quality of Candye's band was elevated to a new level with the addition of Laura.
Superhero, Candye Kane's new CD, has Laura's influence all over it. Guitar virtuoso Laura Chavez co-wrote 6 songs with Candye and she also co-produced the CD which is getting great reviews all across the globe. Pick this CD up and give it several listens. Laura is showcased on this CD as well as Candye's amazing voice, and her stellar band. Do I hear a touch of Duane Eddy on the title track? I'm not sure if that sound was intentional or not, as Laura wasn't even born when Duane was riding high on the charts with his amazing style of play, but you gotta like it!
Laura Chavez and Candye Kane
Laura Chavez is going to be showing off her blazing guitar style with Candye Kane on tour this year. Watching her play, you get the feeling that you are seeing something very special early in her career. I am looking forward to following Laura's career, and watching a young budding guitar player grow with her craft. Laura is here to stay, and soon will become a household name, not only in the Blues world, but in the "main stream" of music as well.
All pictures are used with the permission of Laura Chavez
For more information on Laura Chavez, visit the following site:
http://www.candyekane.com/bio.html
Artists that are Friends of American Blues News
- Alastair Greene
- Ana Popovic
- Brandon Santini & Delta Highway
- David Bromberg
- Ernie Hawkins
- Foghat
- Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers
- John Pizzarelli
- Jorma Kaukonen
- Lennie Jones - Folkart Blues
- Leon Russell
- Mark May Band
- Marshall Lawrence-Doctor of the Blues
- Mystic Knights
- North Mississippi All-stars
- Reba Russell
- Stacy Brooks
- Tangiers Blues Band
- Tim Woods
- Victor Wainwright
- Will Jacobs & Dirty Deal
More Artist Friends....
Blues Festival and Blues Page Friends
Blues Society Friends
American Blues News Staff
What makes American Blues News unique is our coverage across America. Here is our lineup:
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher
Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre
Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher
Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre
Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!