South End Blues Band

The South End Blues Band delivers a thoroughly entertaining brand of electric rockin' blues covering roots blues artists as well as present day blues, R&B and original blues-rock. With a full six-piece ensemble, this band rocks the house with down and dirty guitar and slide guitar play, a wailing blues harp, a rock solid rhythm section, and vocals that sear the soul of blues enthusiasts, young and old.

Musical influences include Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, early Stones, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Allman Brothers, just to name a few. A typical set may offer selections from the early 1900's right up through the present.

So pack up your mojo and your best friend and get out to see this band!

Member Bios:
Jim Wisniewski:
Jim handles guitar, vocals, and songwriting for the band. Among his main musical influences are John Lee Hooker, Chester Burnett, and Brint Anderson.

Bob Porter:
Bob has been singing and playing guitar for over 25 years. He has loved the blues ever since he heard "The Best of Jimmy Reed" in the 8 track car stereo of his father's pink Cadillac when he was a child.

Dale Boschke:
Dale provides the bluesy harp accompaniment that drives the down home sound required by a blues combo. Musical favorites include Springsteen, Clapton & Mellencamp. Local favorites are Jim Liban & Steve Cohen.

Dave Zabler:
Dave has been playing drums since the age of 6, and had his first gig at 15. He's played all styles of music including blues, rock, jazz, country, Latin and polka.

Tom Steele:
Tom has been laying it down on the bass for 20+ years. He first heard the blues in the late 60's: James Cotton Blues Band, John Mayall, Yardbirds, early Zepplin. He's played Top 40, Disco, Rock, Blues and Country.

JT:
"JT" (Julie Thompson) sings lead and back-up vocals and plays percussion. She toured in a troop for 10 years with a singer/songwriter on the East Coast, sings for churches, performs in an R & B band, jazz combo and a folk trio, and released a jazz CD.

Venues:
The South End Blues Band has played in festivals including the Paramount Blues Festival, Waukesha Blues Festival, Indian Summer (Miller Stage and Harley Davison Stage), Polish Fest, Greek Fest, Hot Rods 'N Blues Fest, Milwaukee County Concerts in the Park Series, Port Washington Fish Day, and many bars and clubs throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

We were listed in the 2007 Shepherd Express "Best of Milwaukee" annual Reader's poll in the Blues Band category, and proud to be charter members of the Grafton Blues Association.