Blues Travelogue at Hank Dietle’s Tavern – Rockville, MD

Don’t miss this down-home blues party that celebrates the various regional styles that make this such a rich—and danceable!—musical genre. The all-star band includes Linwood Taylor (vocals & guitar), Bill Starks (vocals & keyboards), Jeff Muller (vocals, bass & guitar), and Pete Ragusa (drums) plus special guests Dean Rosenthal and Shari Puorto.

• Linwood Taylor (guitar & vocals): One of the most highly respected names in the blues community, Linwood has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and European blues circuits. An award-winning artist who was recently featured in Living Blues magazine, Linwood has performed with Albert King, Joe Louis Walker , Devon Allman , Tommy Castro, and more.
• Bill Starks (piano & vocals): An award-winning songwriter and keyboard player who has performed on stage and in the studio with many DMV acts including Ruthie and the Wranglers, Deanna Bogart, Dave Chappell, and NRBQ tribute band Me & the Boys. Bill has a rockin' piano style that blends rock ‘n’ roll, honky tonk, boogie woogie, and blues into a musical gumbo.
• Jeff Muller (bass, guitar & vocals): A veteran bassist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who has performed with legendary acts including Allen Toussaint, Cyril Neville, Ernie K-Doe, and Eva Cassidy. As Papa Lebas & Gumbo Ya Ya, Jeff recently released a new album, Naptown to NOLA, which includes contributions from legendary musicians including Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Tommy Malone, Chubby Carrier, Ron Holloway, and many others.
• Pete Ragusa (drums & vocals): A founding member of blues legends The Nighthawks, Pete has performed with Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Bob Margolin, and countless others. A staple of the DC roots scene, he has recorded with John Hammond, Jr., Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, and countless others.
• Shari Puorto (vocals): An award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer who has shared the stage with icons like Tommy Castro, Slash, Robben Ford, Ruthie Foster, and Walter Trout. With seven releases to her name, Shari captivates audiences with her powerhouse vocals, deeply expressive voice, and raw, high-energy performances.
• Dean Rosenthal (vocals & resophonic guitar): Often called the Dean of Annapolis blues and roots music, Dean has built a 4-decade reputation as a standout performer, songwriter, and bandleader. He has opened for a who’s who of blues legends, including “Robert Junior” Lockwood, Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, James Cotton, and many others.