Biography

-2012-

Boogie Woogie piano maestro Mitch Woods brings his all-star Rocket 88s, featuring noted players from his two home bases, New Orleans and San Francisco, on a five week tour of the Republic of Turkey. Mitch brings the sounds of Boogie Woogie, Jump Blues, Swing and New Orleans Rhythm & Blues to an eager new audience and proves that Blues is truly BEYOND BORDERS.

“In October 2010, I embarked with my band the Rocket 88’s on a tour of Turkey with the Efes Blues Festival, playing 26 shows in 20 cities over 5 weeks. I was deeply impressed with the warmth and hospitality of the people and their openness and enthusiasm for the American musical form we call “the Blues.” It made me realize that we are musical ambassadors – able to cross cultural, religious, and national borders that most people cannot.

In this CD and DVD I document our tour of the Republic of Turkey, a secular nation with 99% Muslim population that straddles the border of east and west, geographically and culturally. On this journey I realized in my heart and soul that music truly crosses all boundaries and Blues is certainly beyond borders.

I am happy to share it with you. So let’s hop on the bus, and as they say in Turkey— ‘Bastan basa Blues’ — ‘the Blues is everywhere!’ “

— Mitch Woods