Scholars will argue until the end of time about when and where the Blues were born, and who can say when ten fingers first pounded out a boogie woogie on 88 keys? What's important is that someone did (probably on the sly on the choirmaster's piano) and what's even more important is that there are still artists out there today working hard to keep this glorious music alive and kicking. Kenny 'Blue Boss' Wayne is a the forefront of this group of modern day blues piano practitioners. Hailed by LIVING BLUES magazine as an artist "bringing the piano back to the front ranks of contemporary blues."

Kenny was well versed in the New Orleans Jazz & Blues traditions by his Louisiana born parents, soaking up the exquisite grooves laid down by Fats Domino, Roosevelt Sykes, Professor Longhair and Pete Johnson. Along the way he picked up a taste for Kansas City Swing and West Coast Jump to add to his New Orleans Rhythm. Working with artists as diverse as Jimmy Reed, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rhodes, Jeff Healey and Joe Louis Walker added seasoning to the mix. Now headlining his own dynamic show at the top festivals and clubs in both North America and Europe, Kenny Wayne puts on a live performance that is not soon forgotten. If you live anywhere within a three day drive of the gig, I strongly suggest you treat yourself right and go. You will not go home disappointed.

Here on "Let It Loose" Kenny's latest release on the Electro-Fi label, we are gifted with not just the excellent performances from Kenny and his first rate band, including bass ace Russell Jackson, but we also get to enjoy the full spectrum of Kenny's prodigious songwriting ability on tracks like "Blueberry Wine", "Joogie to the Boogie" and the stellar "Blues Carry Me Home." Always conscious of acknowledging past masters Kenny has also included a three song tribute to Amos Milburn on this CD. "Blue and Lonesome", "Let Me Go Home Whiskey" and "Bewildered" have never sounded better.

In a blues world populated, some would say over populated with wailing guitars and harmonicas, it's reassuring to know that when Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne sits down at the piano bench and dances his ten digits over 88 keys, great things happen.

Andrew Galloway
President, Electro-Fi Records