Jimmy Ray & The Hippsters is a blues-forward trio featuring the incredible talents of Craig Panosh on drums, and Steve Cohen on harmonica, with Jimmy Ray on acoustic guitar and vocals. All three musicians have over 50 years of professional experience as performers and session players who are well known to live music fans in Wisconsin and elsewhere. When he's not playing with the Hippsters, Craig Panosh drums with Rev Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys, a nationally touring blues quartet based in the Midwest. For decades, Steve Cohen has been the leader of the LeRoy Airmaster Band, the venerated Milwaukee blues combo seen on stages big and small at festivals and all around the city. Steve is also the author of several books on playing the harmonica published by Hal Leonard.
Together these three musicians have built a unique sound around their stellar instrumental talents and Jimmy's songwriting and creative song arrangements. Their original songs include "Railroad Blues," "Shades Of Blue," "29's A Good Road," and "You're The One." Their versions of classics such as Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues," Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," and Bob Dylan's "It Takes A Lot To Laugh (It Takes A Train To Cry)" distinguish them as a trio willing to take chances in re-inventing great tunes from the past. Another feature of their performances is the instrumental interplay that happens spontaneously between these virtuoso players, bringing a fresh take on everything they perform.
Jimmy Ray & The Hippsters recently performed for a video recording session that you can watch below.
