By Lisa Chaly

Get ready to be delighted by a legendary Blues woman who has proven her musical staying power for nearly half a century. The Big Island Jazz and Blues Society proudly presents living legend Maria Muldaur, live in concert on Saturday, February 4, from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., at the Hilo Elks Lodge located at 150 Kinoole Street in downtown Hilo.

Best known for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” Maria Muldaur is a woman beyond labels. Although she is currently a nominee for the Koko Taylor Award for Best Traditional Female Blues Artist, her unique artistry and hip style have enabled her to merge successfully with a variety genres, including Pop, Funk, and R&B. For over 39 years, Maria has extensively toured around the world and has recorded 39 solo albums, covering all forms of American Roots music; her favorite being Blues.

In the 1960′s, Maria began exploring early Blues, Bluegrass, and Appalachian “Old Timey” music; by 1963, she was recording with the Even Dozen Jug Band and, shortly after, she joined and toured with the popular Jim Kweskin Jug Band. When her solo hit “Midnight at the Oasis” flooded the airwaves, she received several Grammy nominations and became forever enshrined in the hearts of baby boomers everywhere.

By 2001, Maria released her critically acclaimed “Richland Woman Blues,” which was nominated for a Grammy and by the Blues foundation as Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year. In 2005, her release “Sweet Lovin’ Ol Soul” was nominated for both a W.C Handy Award and a Grammy Award in the Traditional Blues category. Maria’s 6th Grammy nomination came in 2009, when she teamed up with John Sebastian, David Grishman, and Dan Hicks for the album “Maria Muldaur & Her Garden of Joy,” which was also nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year by the Blues Foundation.

With a bold decision to detour from her usual vintage blues style, Maria returned to New Orleans in 2011 to record her newest album, “Steady Love.” Featuring a contemporary Electric Blues sound, this album reflects her own unique brand of New Orleans flavored Blues, R&B, and ‘Swamp Funk,’ which she calls “Bluesiana Music.” To Maria’s delight, “Steady Love” reached the number one position on the Living Blues Radio Charts.

According to Greg Victor, Cultural Critic of Parcbench.com, “Steady Love is an expressive album of emotionally charged blues material delivered by a vocal powerhouse whose phrasing was always impeccable (and still is), but whose instrument has only improved with time.” He adds, “Over the decades, Maria Muldaur has continued to grow as an artist; she has departed from the 1970′s pop sound that made her a star and has enjoyed taking a traditional blues approach with her music. Yes, that famous voice, with its familiar slide between the chest and the head voice, has changed a little over the years, having been replaced by a lower, more ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ grounded quality. Muldaur’s voice has a more polished quality and it has developed a tone that is perfect for singing the Blues.”

Maria continues to tour worldwide and enjoy creative collaborations with many of the finest artists in her field. For this particular BIJB event, she will be joined by an ‘dream-team’ back-up band that is sure to embrace her eclectic Blues style. Each band member was carefully selected by Maria’s friend and former drummer, Bruce David.

Born in San Francisco, Bruce David is one of Hawaii’s top drummers and recording engineers. At the age of six, he discovered the drums, but after locking himself in a room to mercilessly bang out drumbeats until the door had to be broken down, his parents banned him from playing until he was 18. Since then, David hasn’t stopped playing and has had a very successful career as a professional drummer. He currently teaches at the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences and performs nightly with the best bands around the Big Island.

Joining the band is John Close, multiple award winning composer and pianist. Jon is also a music producer and has more than 30 years of experience composing for the Film and Television Industry. He is known for his articulation, diligence, creativity, and hard work as a professional musician. Jon truly enjoys Jazz and other innovative styles of music; he is honored to be in Hawaii and to be a part of Maria Muldaur’s back-up band.

Adding some local-boy style to the mix, Wesley Matsuda is an award winning guitarist and composer who studied in Hollywood and graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology (now know as the Musicians Institute). The year he graduated, Wesley was voted “Guitarist of the Year” and has since played all over the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Bringing the final element of the back-up band together, the very talented bassist, Frank Musacchio, will be sharing his musical expertise. Frank is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who is usually the ‘first call’ player for the best bands around the island. With such an all-star line up of musicians, there is no doubt that this concert event will be sensational.

So be sure to come out and enjoy an evening of stellar entertainment from the legendary Maria Muldaur, presented by the Big Island Jazz and Blues Society, on Saturday, February 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Hilo Elks Lodge located at 150 Kinoole Street in downtown Hilo. Full bar and small plate menu available for purchase. Minors accompanied by a parent or guardian are welcome until 9:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at the door; $35 General Admission and $30 for BIJB Members. For more information contact Fung Irvine at taikotita@gmail.com or visit www.bigislandjazz.com