Reggie Sears
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Established. Jan 01, 2018 | INDIE
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Febuary 26,2005 at The Miami Dade College in Miami,FL was the where the 1st Annual Miami Bluesfest was held. Over 800 people showed(not bad for the first time.) Opening the show at 6:00 PM(sharp) was The Reggie Sears Band. After a strong introduction by radio personality Chico "The Virgo" Reggie's band appeared on stage. Drummer Doc Allison started a mildly fast(and energetic) version of Z.Z. Hill's "Slippin' In,Slippin' Out" and bassman "T-Bone" instantly fell in and the two of them were grooving. About 45 seconds later, clean,sharp, and (semi)-incendiary Blues licks started feeling the ears of the 800+ crowd. Where were those guitar licks coming from? I didn't see nobody onstage except for the rythemsection. Then all of a sudden, I see this kid, walking up the stairs playing a beautiful Gibson ES-335(a B.B. King Lucille[I believe.]) Decked out in a "zoot-suit." I was sitting out in the VIP section of the audience thinking, "this ain't no kid playing like that!!!!!! He's too good. Maybe its a midget.) But when I heared the first line of Z.Z.'s Slippin' In, I KNEW it was a 13 year old(not that his voice is high, which supprisingly it was quite low, but you could tell he was a kid.) For half an hour(or 45 minutes, I pretty much lost track of time) 13 year old Reggie Sears played the hell out of his Sparkling black Gibson on a set of covers by the likes of Buddy Guy,Wilson Pickett,Johnnie Taylor, and Junior Parker. On an extended version of Junior Parker's scorching slow-burn, the Soul-Blues standard "In The Dark" Reggie sung 3 powerful & soulful verses of the classic before going into the audience doing a "Blueswalk" in the dense crowd of 800+. After 10 minutes, Reggie finally made his way back to the stage, only to get a Standing Ovation. Reggie ended his set after a flammable version of Michael Burks' "Thank God For Fools." After 45 minutes, Reggie was finished. There were a couple of other acts, and even a headlining perfomance by the legendary Benny Latimore(famous for his 70's Blues hit Lets Straighten it out on Miami's Glades Label.) Though there were some nationally reconized artist, Reggie Sears was the talk of the crowd. 5 hours later, and 3 bands later(even after Latimore's headlining performance) the crowd was still raving on-and-on about that 13 year old guitar virtuoso. If you ever get the chance, go see him live & look for his debut album which is due out in July of 2005 - Frank Vinston-Blues-Rock Magazine
Discography
Transitions-RDR00100
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
REGGIE SEARS
"He possesses a feel and passion for the music that cannot be faked, it is coming from the heart and soul."-Larry Lisk, President of the Suncoast Blues Society.
"Every once & awhile, I hear a extrordinary talent, someone who moves me & makes me believe there will be better things to come for him or her. After a long time of searching, I have found him & his name is Reggie Sears. This kid can play his axe & sing with such soul & conviction, that I fail to believe he is just 14 years old. This is one of the few kids who plays "THE BLUES" right. He doesn't just play notes. He plays from his heart. After hearing him, I think you will agree that Reggie Sears is the best young Bluesman on the scene. Keep an eye out for this amazing talent."-Joe West, the Chitlin Circuit.
"The Blues is in good hands."-Guitar Shorty
Reggie Sears was born in Ft. Lauderdale,FL in April of 1991. At the tender age of 11, he was seduced by the Blues after hearing Lonnie Macks' "Strike Like Lightning" LP. "That album changed my life, I knew what I wanted to do after I heard that album" says Reggie. For his 12th birday, Reggie's parent gave him a electric guitar. "It was a Epiphone Les Paul, one that I loved & cherished." Reggie, who was raised in a rough neigborhood, never got injured or got in trouble, because he was always inside playing his guitar." "I use to come home from school, do my homework & play guitar until I went to sleep & then played a little bit the next morning before I went to school" says Reggie.
Due to Reggie's love & passion for the guitar, that just after 2 months of lessons, Reggie had learned everything his instructor could teach him. Reggie spent the summer of 2003 in his room, practicing his guitar, honing his skills & developing what would soon become his signature style. In July of 2003, Reggie had his dad take him to a Blues jam at a great dive in Ft. Lauderdale & wowed the audience as well as the musicians. In November of 2003, Reggie played the Ft. Lauderdale Sound Advice Blues Festival & jammed with international recording artists Fruitland Jackson, Michael Burks, Hubert Sumlin & Solomon Burke. Reggie also jammed with mandolin virtuoso Rich Del Grosso, guitar wizard Ana Povovic & harmonica virtuoso Jason Ricci that weekend.
In Febuary of 2004, Reggie(who used a "pickup" band) played 2 sets @ the Fiesta Tropicale Festival in Hollywood & made such an impression on the promoter, that he got invited back the next year. In March of 2004, Reggie jammed with Chris "The Prince" Beard, national recording artist & in April formed his first band. Also in April, Reggie jammed with Muddy Waters Sideman Bob Margolin @ a festival in Ft. Lauderdale. Also at that festival, Howlin Wolf's guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who had met and jammed with Reggie the previous year, invited him on his tourbus & the two talked, played guitar & just had a good time.
In May of 2004, Reggie jammed with Watchdog recording artist Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of the legendary Lonnie Brooks.
"The Reggie Sears Band" played their first gig on May 22,2004 & In July, Reggie jammed with Alligator Recording artist Guitar Shorty & national recording artist Slick Ballinger in August. Aside from jamming with national recording stars, Reggie spent the rest of 2004 doing gigs with his band. By December of 2004, The Reggie Sears Band had done over 100 shows.
In early 2005, Reggie jammed with guitar-wiz Josh Smith & in Febuary Reggie & his band played the Fiesta Tropicale for the second year in a row. In Febuary 2005, the RSB vvas hand-selected to open the first annual Miami Dade Blues Festival.
Between March & late-May, Reggie had done over 30 gigs & despite earning rave reviews & a new legion of devoted fans, he was not satisfied with his band's sound. So in late May, he retained his drummer, brought in a new keyboardist, a new bassist & changed his band's name to "The Reggie Sears Unit." After a few rehearsals, The Reggie Sears Unit began booking dates & showcases at hot clubs & big festivals, gaining major exposure. In July, The Reggie Sears Unit entered the studio & did a raw, live-in-the-studio session, which would soon become their debut album "Trasitions." In September, The RSU released their debut album on the Redd Dawg Records imprint to rave reviews & in October, after 3 months and over 50 gigs, The RSU opened the Sarasota Blues Festival, getting massive exposure & a ton of raves. By December, the RSU had done about 100 dates that year. The RSU is also known for their exciting marathon sets & have won a loyal group of fans who flock out to see the best young Bluesman on the scene backed by the best band on the circuit. There is no doubt that there'll be bigger & better things to come. Keep an eye out for Reggie.
THE UNIT:
Jacky Amar on Bass provides Booming Bassriffs that drives the music. A 30+ year veteran, Jacky has played bass for dozens of Internationally known touring artists, has done countless sessions and muc
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