Beat Notes
By Ray Hogan
Special Correspondent

The Hot Damn Band
Summer Street Grill, Stamford

The HotDamnBand has been playing at the Summer Street Grill for last few Wednesdays and hopes to keep the gig going. The group is the brainchild of Steve Ewing, a banker type with a deep affinity for blowing the blues harmonica. Tired of always asking bands if he could sit in, Ewing assembled an all-star assembly of Northeastern musicians.

Vocalist K. D. Bell is a genuine bluesman. He was primarily a drummer until he had a stroke, now he leads bands more often than he keeps them together. He has performed with James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Luther "Guitar, Jr." Johnson. He has the charisma of a great r&b showman and howls the blues pretty well, too.

Guitarist Chris Carter has backed everyone from the Drifters to Johnnie Johnson (AKA the REAL Johnny B. Goode). Bassist Keith Lambert is a multicultural performer and composer who's worked in the media of television and theater. Reggie Barnes plays a small drum set but is rock solid.

The band sticks to classics and provides an air reminiscent of juke joint fun.

Nov. 21st, 1997