The Mighty Blue Kings

Another group in the '90s retro resurrection of mid-century swing/jump-blues music spearheaded by Squirrel Nut Zippers and Royal Crown Revue, Mighty Blue Kings formed in Chicago during 1994, a septet of youthful but experienced musicians who wanted to offer clubgoers a night out 1940s-style. Vocalist Ross Bon, guitarist Gareth Best, saxophone players Jerry "Big J" DeVivo and Sam Burckhardt, bassist Jimmy Sutton, drummer Bob Carter and pianist Donny Nichilo played local clubs for awhile, then gained a coveted residency at the Green Mill. After touring the Midwest and West Coast, Mighty Blue Kings were assured enough to begin recording. After forming their own R-Jay Records, the group released Meet Me in Uptown for an April 1996 release. Showcases at Austin's South by Southwest conference gained the band national attention, and upon signing to Sony's Work Records subsidiary they released their second album Come One, Come All in late 1997. A year later, the Mighty Blue Kings -- now consisting of Bon,Best, DeVivo, bassist Clark Sommers, saxophonist John Sandfort and organist Chris Foreman -- returned with Live from Chicago. A seasonal effort, A Mighty Blue Christmas was released in fall 2000. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide