Review by Eric Schuurmans www.rootstime.be

The basis of “The City Boys Allstars” Mike Merola (guitars), Al MacDowell (bass),
Robbie Clores (keyboards) and Nick Saya (drums). Mike Merola got a guitar when he
was nine years old. His favorite guitarists were Albert King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Les
Paul, Robben Ford … Mike is the glue of the group, he holds everything together. When
Al MacDowell was six years old, losing his mother led him to take classical piano
lessons, the beginning of a long journey through the music. He has worked with such
greats as: Ornette Coleman, “Public Enemy”, Billy Joel, Grace Jones and many others.
Ornette Coleman (“Quartet”) is an American jazz musician and winner of “The Pulitzer
Prize for Music and Best Country Band / Downbeat Magazine. Al MacDowell, himself,
has three albums with his own material. Robbie Clores has skilled training in classical /
jazz, but is naturally grounded in R & B and blues. He recently worked with Enrique
Iglesias, “The Black Crowes” and “Southside Johnny”. Nick Saya is a producer,
drummer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He also writes music for TV and film.
Other band members are Daniel Sadownick (percussion) and guest guitarist Robert
Ross. Daniel Sadownick is a Master of “Musical Education” and toured for two years
with Lionel Hampton. Robert Ross in 1989 and in 1991 won the “Award for the Best
Blues Artist”. Vocalists are: Horace Scott II, Angel Rissoff and Bil Kurz. Who can we
finally certainly not forget are the horns: Lew Soloff (former “Blood Sweat & Tears”) &
Tony Kadleck: trumpets, Andy Snitzer & “Blue Lou” Marini: alto & tenor sax and Tom
“Bones” Malone: baritone sax & trombone.

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