The Blues Project was formed in 1965 in Greenwich Village, New York City. Their songs drew from a wide array of musical styles. The Blues Project is most remembered as one of the most artful practitioners of pop music, influenced as it was by folk, blues, rhythm & blues, and jazz. The group is led by co-founder and original drummer, Roy Blumenfeld.
Blumenfeld was a childhood friend of guitarist Danny Kalb, and a member of the Danny Kalb Quartet along with guitarist Artie Traum, and Andy Kulberg on bass. Later in 1965, Steve Katz replaced Traum on guitar and the group added singer Tommy Flanders, and changed its name to the Blues Project. At the end of 1965, Al Kooper was invited to join the group. In 1967 the Blues Project performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival in Monterey, California. They also performed at The Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Blues Project is alive and well, with Roy Blumenfeld leading a new powerful lineup that also includes a band of young and talented “pupils”: Chris Bergson and Mark Newman on guitars, Jesse Williams or Ivan Bodely on bass depending on availability and Ken Clark on keyboards and vocals.
