Biography

Radio contact: Kevin Johnson
promo@delmark.com

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Dave Specter: guitar, vocals (1, 5, 6)
Jorma Kaukonen: guitar (5, 8)
Brother John Kattke: piano, organ, vocals (2, 3, 8, 9)
Harlan Lee Terson: bass
Marty Binder: drums
Sarah Marie Young: vocal (11)
Bill Brichta: acoustic guitar (11)
Ruben Alvarez: percussion (2, 7, 9)
Liquid Soul Horns - (2, 8, 10)
Mars Williams: tenor sax
John Janowiak: trombone
Ron Haynes: trumpet
Tad Robinson, Devin Thompson: background vocals (2,3,5,9)

Available on Delmark Records CD and LP

Nominated for Living Blues Album of the Year.
Editor’s Pick and 4 Star Review - Downbeat Magazine.
#1 in November, #2 in December - Living Blues Radio Charts.
#1 on NACC Radio Charts for college and community radio nationwide.

“Blues From The Inside Out” is the most expressive project of Dave Specter’s 35-year career. Featuring his debut as a vocalist, the album is an exciting and timely celebration of blues, soul, jazz, funk and gospel.

Imagine the blues as a color diamond you hold up to the sun. A dynamic light draws out brilliant hues at every turn of the rock. That’s the inherent beauty of this project.

These are fine times to hear Specter, an evolving artist who embraces growth and discovery.

“Blues From The Inside Out” includes a guest appearance on guitar by Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna fame, who also co-wrote one of the album’s 12 original tunes. Specter wrote the uplifting soul anthem for change “March Through the Darkness,” he takes a deep dive into Meters-Neville Brothers inspired rhythms with the instrumental “Sanctifunkious” and sings on the blues shuffle title track. Besides Kaukonen, Specter recruited his long time collaborator/keyboardist Brother John Kattke who sings 4 tracks, the Chicago-based Liquid Soul horns and Latin-percussion ace Ruben Alvarez, each playing on three tracks.

Drummer Marty Binder and bass player Harlan Terson lay the foundation for the recording as a rock solid rhythm section.

“I was always content focusing on guitar as my instrument and voice as a musician,” Specter explained. “I’ve worked my entire career on the art of backing up singers and writing/playing instrumentals and never felt a desire to sing until fairly recently. I’m getting inspired to write more songs that I sing, as I’m honestly more comfortable singing my own words than somebody else’s. I’m looking forward to seeing where this road takes me.”
- From the album’s liner notes by Chicago author and radio host, Dave Hoekstra


GUITARIST, BANDLEADER, RECORDING ARTIST, PRODUCER, PODCAST HOST

Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago music scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA. Since 1989 Dave has toured internationally with performances in Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Spain, England, Northern Ireland, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Luxembourg, Mexico and Canada.

Before forming his own band in 1989, Specter toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay and Steve Freund. Specter has also performed and/or recorded with such artists as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Johnson, Jack McDuff, Johnny Adams, Snooky Pryor, Kim Wilson, Tad Robinson, John Primer, Johnny Littlejohn, B.B. Odom, Mighty Joe Young, Valerie Wellington, Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Earl, Otis Clay, Floyd McDaniel, Pinetop Perkins and Jorma Kaukonen.

Dave appears on over 40 albums and DVDs as a guitarist, bandleader and/or producer, with 12 albums as a leader or co-leader on Delmark Records.

He appears on compilation CDs with artists such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells.

Dave is also partner at one of the Chicago area’s most acclaimed music venues, Evanston SPACE and hosts the podcast, Blues From The Inside Out.

https://www.davespecter.com/
https://www.evanstonspace.com/
https://www.bluesfromtheinsideout.com/