Biography
The story-telling griots in Africa dispensed the tribal wisdom and blues artists in America have been doing the same for well over 100 years. Like Percy Mayfield, who was also called the "poet of the blues," Tas Cru tells life lessons with a rare verbal flair. It is not for nothing he has been called "the master of the triple entendre." His songs are eccentric, quirky, and sometimes boldly irreverent with a repertoire that is equal parts power, passion, and pure fun. This combined with his soulful voice and skillful guitarwork has earned him his reputation as a bonafide "triple threat."
Tas Cru, based out of upstate New York. performs in a variety of formats ranging from solo-acoustic to an 8 piece backing band that includes the talented singing trio-Stacked Deck. Noteworthy 2010 festival performances include Billtown Blues Festival, Kalamazoo Blues Festival and the Chattauqua Hills Blues Festival. 2010 club appearances include Rum Boogie Cafe (Memphis, TN), Ground Zero Blues Club (Clarksdale, MS), Uncle Bos (Topeka, KS), Caffe Lena (Saratoga, NY) and Blackeyed Sallys (Hartford, CT).
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Crus brand new CD, "Jus Desserts" once again spotlights Crus acclaimed songwriting talent. On December 3rd it debuted at #16 on Roots Music Report airplay charts and in Canada, at #1. Early accolades from the blues media include Dave Rubin (2005 KBA - Journalism) who writes, "Indeed, fans who enjoy their blues with literate, saucy, profound lyrics are the lucky ones in store for a sumptuous, satisfying treat. Jus Desserts are the kind that stick to the ribs and the soul." Chris Spector of the Midwest Record writes, "One of those dangerous infectious, outsider/offbeat things you cant classify or quantify but fall under the spell of, thats what this is. . ., this is going to blind side you into having one of the best times youve had in a while."
"Grizzle n Bone" (just recently named by Downbeat Magazine as one of its top CDs for 2010) generated serious blues world buzz making its way onto a variety of US and International roots music radio charts and with great reviews from the blues media including Downbeat, Blues Revue, Blues Festival Guide, and the UKs Blues Matters!. Responses include, "Tas Cru has the soul of a poet" (Downbeat) "His most varied collection to date, all delivered with conviction and a welcome dose of wry wit" (Blues Revue) and "This will definitely sit at the top of my best of list at the end of the year" ( Blues Matters!). Grizzle n Bone came hard on the heels of Cru being named by Blues Festival Guide as 2009 Blues Artist on the Rise.
Tas CD, "gravi-Tas " (2008) builds on the traditional flavor of his solo acoustic 2006 CD, "Biscuit," Both CDs enjoyed wide airplay on XM Radios BB Kings Bluesville -especially "gravi-Tas" that was a "Pick to Click. (April thru July, 2008) Both CDs were reviewed in the premiere blues magazines, Blues Revue and Living Blues. Blues Revue noted, "Listening to gravi-Tas will create a strong desire to see Cru live .The album is a multi-course feast of the down-home variety: friendly, welcoming, and direct. "(Genevieve Williams) and "A keeper. Fine resonator work both slide and fingerstyle supports an insightful batch of songs."(Tom Hyslop). Living Blues reviewer Dave Ruthenberg said, "On intricate resonator finger-picking or some smoky electric slide, Cru scores consistently."
Tas Cru records on his own label, Crustee Tees Records and is represented by:
Management KT Management,-Rick Bates 315.244.1468 rbates2@twcny.rr.com
Festival Booking
BackRoads Booking Agency
2841 S. Locust St.
Denver, CO 80222
(303) 757-1949 - office
(248) 275-3959 - cell
brbagency@gmail.com
www.backroadsbookingagency.com
Publicist Blind Raccoon LLC, Memphis, TN 901.2686065 betsie@blindraccoon www.blindraccoon.com
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