Claudettes "The Claudettes Go Out!" Album Release Party
Doors Open: 9:00 PM
The Claudettes
Wielding a one-of-a-kind, piano-powered roots-pop sound, the Claudettes merge earthy blues and soul with pop hooks and punk spirit, writing an intriguing new chapter in American roots music. Pianist/songwriter Johnny Iguana joins seductive singer Berit Ulseth, bassist/vocalist Zach Verdoorn and drummer Michael Caskey. Johnny, who toured for years with his cult-favorite rock band Oh My God, has played on albums featuring Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Derek Trucks, Keb' Mo', Gary Clark Jr., Shemekia Copeland, Mick Jagger,
Keith Richards and more. He has toured/recorded with Junior Wells and Otis Rush, played on three Grammy-nominated albums and earned a prestigious 2021 Blues Music Award nomination for Piano Player of the Year as well as a 2022 Living Blues Award nomination for Outstanding Musician.
The Claudettes recorded their 2018 album "DANCE SCANDAL AT THE GYMNASIUM!" (Yellow Dog Records) with Grammy-winning producer Mark Neill (Black Keys). In 2020 the Claudettes released "High Times in the Dark" (Forty Below Records), helmed by Grammy-winning producer Ted Hutt (Violent Femmes, Old Crow Medicine Show). The Claudettes worked with Hutt and with Grammy winner Kevin Killen (David Bowie, U2, Elvis Costello) on a slew of new tracks that will arrive in 2022: a series of single releases from spring through summer and a full-length album on Forty Below Records in the fall.
“Chicago's original recipe band…The Claudettes' sonic playing field is the blues and everything after, all
tastefully and artfully blended together….Perhaps the band’s greatest super power: songwriting.”—NPR Music
Iguana vs. Bunny
Before expanding into a four-piece band with vocals and acclaimed original songs, the Claudettes were simply, and powerfully, Johnny Iguana on piano and Michael Caskey on drums. This greatly entertaining, highly skilled instrumental duo mix Chicago blues with the spunk of rockabilly and punk, vintage echoes of vaudeville and burlesque, the sound and spirit of '60s soul-jazz and the whimsy of vintage cartoon music.
Johnny, who earned a prestigious Blues Music Award nomination for Piano Player of the Year in 2021, has played on three Grammy-nominated albums. Michael, a greatly in-demand drummer in Detroit before becoming a greatly in-demand drummer in Chicago, has played with Koko Taylor, Chuck Mangione and Grammy winners the Heritage Blues Orchestra and a wide array of artists ranging from rock, pop and singer-songwriter to Balkan folk-jazz.
Though Johnny and Michael have performed with dozens of famous artists, together they bring a unique, electrifying freshness and vitality to the stage and studio. Get ready to see them play their own adventurous compositions and put their own stamps on everything from Otis Spann and Jay McShann to Neil Young to Grand Master Flash!
· 21+
· Proof of vaccination required for entry.
· Door staff will check ID and vaccination card.
· Masks are NOT required but encouraged!
· Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, please review your order carefully before confirming.